More Undergraduate Certificates Awarded In FL Than Any Other Degree

Tampa, FL- The ongoing discussion around increasing the number of Americans with a postsecondary education tends to be narrowly defined to college degrees—not certificates. A new report released today by the Florida College Access Network (Florida C.A.N.!) discusses the importance of the postsecondary certificate in Florida and makes the case for why certificates should be included as part of state goals for increasing degree attainment.

“When you look at the list of the fastest growing industries in Florida and the education requirements of those jobs it becomes clear that the certificate has the potential to provide those who earn them a high-skill, high-paying job and the opportunity to pursue higher levels of education,” said Braulio Colón, Executive Director for Florida C.A.N.!

According to the report, Florida awards a high number of certificates relative to its population when compared to other states. The 2009-2010 academic year marked the first year that more certificates (83,670) were awarded in Florida than bachelor’s degrees (83,386). The steep rise in undergraduate certificates awarded is almost entirely accounted for by private, for-profit institutions up 107-percent since 2003-04. Certificates awarded by public higher education institutions decreased by 1.8-percent during the same period.

“This credential has been shown to provide an affordable alternative to a traditional college degree for those looking for an advantage in the labor market,” said Colón. “As we move forward, we must ensure the quality of these postsecondary degrees is high and that they indeed translate into good paying jobs in the local economy,” said Colón.

The report recommends (1) a clear definition for “high-quality” postsecondary certificate, (2) high-quality certificates be counted toward state postsecondary degree attainment goals, (3) student advisement on the potential benefits of certificates be improved, and (4) communities develop plans for improving college and career readiness, access and completion.

To view the entire report, click here. Also available on the Florida C.A.N.! website as a companion to the new report is a regional breakdown of Florida employment projections by industry, occupations and education requirements. For more information, visit www.floridacollegeaccess.org and click on “Research & Data”.

Florida C.A.N! receives support from the Florida Department of Education, Helios Education Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education and the University of South Florida.