Academic partnerships maximize training dollars

Human Resource managers interested in value are turning to academic partnerships with colleges or universities. Partnerships are often able to deliver educational benefits for a reduced tuition cost – allowing an organization to better maximize its training dollars and encourage the development of skills throughout its workforce. Employees often site tuition reimbursement as an attractive benefit. With an academic partnership, it is possible to provide that with ever shrinking training dollars.

“I'm still at the beginning of my program, but I already have a sense of accomplishment and belonging. In addition, many of the political effects that take place around me on a daily basis are becoming much clearer. I see how the… curriculum is quite relevant to real-world experience and the cohort program seems custom built for me as an individual. ”
-Cary, employee of New York State Criminal Justice Agencies partnership

There is no right or wrong answer regarding what an academic partnership should look like – it depends solely on the industry and training needs of the organization. Careful investigation prior to establishing a relationship with an institution of higher education, however, is warranted. Presented below are four key areas that are worth considering and carefully evaluating:

1.    Is the educational institution accredited? If so, by which accreditation body?  Is that body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?  Does it have any additional accreditation?

There are many different kinds of accreditation. Accreditation is an endorsement of your degree, and it is particularly important when considering online education.  It is relatively easy to visit a campus and see what kinds of resources are available to students. Online programs can be more difficult to “visit.” Accreditation processes give you the assurance that someone has reviewed the materials, faculty, and academic support of the institution in which you are interested, and they have found them to be consistent with comparable programs. 

In some instances there may also be specialized accreditations for specific degree programs. Education, Psychology, and Business programs frequently have these additional endorsements. For example, Marist College’s MBA is accredited by AACSB (http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/) ensuring students that the Marist MBA meets the rigorous standards of this international association of business educators.

But not all programs need this second level of accreditation, and not all accrediting bodies are of equal quality and reputation.  Before you partner, make sure you know with whom you are partnering. 

2.    How flexible and accessible are the programs? Will courses be delivered online, through the workplace, or on campus? Are accelerated formats available? For degree programs, can employees receive credit for life-work experience?

Many want the opportunity to increase their education, but cannot do so if they are working full time.  The on-line options provide an outstanding opportunity for many that should be pursued.
- Margaret M. Moore, Executive Director, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc.

Another area to consider is the level of flexibility a school will provide adult students. Providing a flexible and accessible delivery method is paramount. The lives of students have changed considerably in the last decade and to expect that a working adult will fit into the educational model that was developed for 18-year-old traditional undergraduates is shortsighted – and in most cases impossible. Not only does the accessibility of online learning allow working adults to engage with the learning materials when they want, they can also review the materials as often as they want, facilitating a deeper understanding and better ensuring learning outcomes.

3.    What are your organization’s tuition reimbursement plan and/or budgeted training dollars? How many employees can be expected to participate? Is this a one-time training opportunity or ongoing over a longer period of time?

When creating an academic partnership, you will want to carefully consider your organization’s existing tuition reimbursement plan and align partnership pricing with it. This will better ensure that tuition rates are in the range of the budgeted training amount and reduce or eliminate any additional amount employees will need to pay out of pocket. For training needs involving a consistent number of employees over an extended period, an academic partnership plan can sometimes include on-site delivery of courses. This type of arrangement benefits all involved.  Employees often site the ease of taking classes at the worksite after business hours and employers note the value of employees tackling real-time projects, planning, and analysis with their colleagues as part of their coursework.

4.    How will I know if employees will receive the customer service and academic support they need to be successful?

I'm still at the beginning of my program, but I already have a sense of accomplishment and belonging. In addition, many of the political effects that take place around me on a daily basis are becoming much clearer.  I see how the… curriculum is quite relevant to real-world experience and the cohort program seems custom built for me as an individual.
- Cary, employee of New York State Criminal Justice Agencies partnership

A successful partnership program will provide your employees with the tools they need to be successful.  Can the library be accessed from home? Will there be academic support online, on campus, or at the worksite for students who need assistance with writing papers? Will the school grant full privileges to employees in terms of attending cultural or athletic events on campus, bookstore discounts, and alumni groups These “extras” beyond the classroom experience can help to make a student feel more connected and increase their overall satisfaction.

About Marist College

Marist College is located on 240 acres along the eastern and western shores of the Hudson River midway between New York City and Albany, New York.  Founded in 1929, the College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Princeton Review named Marist one of the best 371 colleges in the country and U.S. News & World Report consistently places Marist in its top tier of colleges in the North.

Marist offers a well-established academic partnership program with a proven track record of success for both employers and students. Most partnerships offer a 25% reduction in general tuition costs for employees and their family members and the opportunity to provide special discounts on select programs. To learn more about creating an academic partnership with Marist, contact Laura Zurowski at graduate@marist.edu or call 888.877.7900.
To read the full quotes and student profiles, go to www.marist.edu/admission/graduate/profiles.