WITHDRAWN: The Landscape of Alternative Credentials: Educational Certificates, Certifications, and Licenses

• In Event: 61.069 - MTCC Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: 61.069-7 - The Effectiveness of Career and Technical Education Programs

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the "completion agenda," there are increasing demands to better understand the attainment pattern and employment outcomes of individuals with educational certificates, which have been described as an "underutilized strategy”. Based on student and certificate characteristics, this study presents educational certificate attainment patterns based on a large national representative dataset in 2012. Using a more clear distinction between educational certificates and certifications and licenses, this study also examined educational certificate awardees preference into different fields of study. With this information, policymakers and administrators can better tailor policies with the consideration of certificate characteristics, individuals can make more informed decisions and strategically maximize monetary returns to individuals.

Authors

• Yi Meng, The Pennsylvania State University

• Karen Paulson, Penn State University