Comments on: How long should it take for a working adult to finish college? http://www.theother85percent.com/2008/05/how-long-should-it-take-for-a-working-adult-to-finish-college/ Working adults and the new world of higher education Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:48:27 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michael M. Lacy PhD http://www.theother85percent.com/2008/05/how-long-should-it-take-for-a-working-adult-to-finish-college/comment-page-1/#comment-574 Michael M. Lacy PhD Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:29:46 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=19#comment-574 I am a graduate of Capella with a PhD in Organization and Management. I have a dual career with 15years of college instruction in all areas of business in addition to a professional business career, which includes numerous years in training & development, marketing, and management. I agree with the concept that it is less important to measure educational success in a specific number of years, a matrix designed to identify and determine the proficiency of the educational institution’s program. However, I disagree with the idea that the educational institutions should dilute the quality or standards of education. I have no problem with easing of admission standards. If a student has a desire to acquire a degree, they will work harder to accomplish that goal. Although there has been grade inflation over the last few years most likely due to the desire of having students complete the program and qualify for graduate school, I am not as concerned with grades as I am with whether or not the student is acquiring and retaining the learning. It has been established that retention of learning is directly related to the application of that knowledge. Are we teaching a subject just to satisfy the requirement of the curriculum or to prepare the student to apply the knowledge in the real world. We test the student’s acquisition of the learning; however, do we attempt to evaluate if the student (both undergraduate and graduate) has the knowledge, ability, and opportunities to make the behavior changes necessary to use the acquired knowledge. Michael M. Lacy PhD I am a graduate of Capella with a PhD in Organization and Management. I have a dual career with 15years of college instruction in all areas of business in addition to a professional business career, which includes numerous years in training & development, marketing, and management. I agree with the concept that it is less important to measure educational success in a specific number of years, a matrix designed to identify and determine the proficiency of the educational institution’s program.

However, I disagree with the idea that the educational institutions should dilute the quality or standards of education. I have no problem with easing of admission standards. If a student has a desire to acquire a degree, they will work harder to accomplish that goal.

Although there has been grade inflation over the last few years most likely due to the desire of having students complete the program and qualify for graduate school, I am not as concerned with grades as I am with whether or not the student is acquiring and retaining the learning.

It has been established that retention of learning is directly related to the application of that knowledge. Are we teaching a subject just to satisfy the requirement of the curriculum or to prepare the student to apply the knowledge in the real world. We test the student’s acquisition of the learning; however, do we attempt to evaluate if the student (both undergraduate and graduate) has the knowledge, ability, and opportunities to make the behavior changes necessary to use the acquired knowledge.

Michael M. Lacy PhD

]]> By: Jon M. Martin http://www.theother85percent.com/2008/05/how-long-should-it-take-for-a-working-adult-to-finish-college/comment-page-1/#comment-443 Jon M. Martin Sat, 10 May 2008 14:28:58 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=19#comment-443 Mike - I agree with you whole heartedly. Coincidentally, I am currently an Adjunct Business Professor about to enroll in Capella for my doctorate. I have spent 25 years in business and can tell you that we are not turning out business professionals and managers; we are turning out students with degrees in business. My hopes in my specialization and thesis work is to identify and pursue institutions that are taking a progressive approach to (business) education. While concept and theory are the right basics to equip students with, without giving them practical application and some "gorilla" tactics their degree and education merely become an elimination round and/or prerequisite for getting hired, with the "real" education happening thereafter in the workplace. Ironically, I have chosen Capella due to online; UNC-CH nor NC State have Phd's other than via the full time, research based, doctoral student route that they used when I was there in 1978. NC State does have an evening Doctor of Education offering, but I am interested in carrying a Phd designation. I look forward to joining Capella and discussing these issues at seminars, and hope to have the opportunity to meet and/or hear you as well. Regards and best wishes, Jon M. Martin Professor of Business, Adjunct Mount Olive College Mike – I agree with you whole heartedly. Coincidentally, I am currently an Adjunct Business Professor about to enroll in Capella for my doctorate.

I have spent 25 years in business and can tell you that we are not turning out business professionals and managers; we are turning out students with degrees in business.

My hopes in my specialization and thesis work is to identify and pursue institutions that are taking a progressive approach to (business) education. While concept and theory are the right basics to equip students with, without giving them practical application and some “gorilla” tactics their degree and education merely become an elimination round and/or prerequisite for getting hired, with the “real” education happening thereafter in the workplace.

Ironically, I have chosen Capella due to online; UNC-CH nor NC State have Phd’s other than via the full time, research based, doctoral student route that they used when I was there in 1978. NC State does have an evening Doctor of Education offering, but I am interested in carrying a Phd designation.

I look forward to joining Capella and discussing these issues at seminars, and hope to have the opportunity to meet and/or hear you as well.

Regards and best wishes,

Jon M. Martin
Professor of Business, Adjunct
Mount Olive College

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