Published by Acadeum
In today’s rapidly changing higher education landscape, institutions face immense pressure to adapt and innovate. Launching new programs is crucial to attract and retain students, meet workforce demands, and stay competitive. However, the traditional process of program development can be time-consuming, expensive, and fraught with challenges.
This blog post explores the key takeaways from our recent webinar, “Harness the Power of Partnerships to Launch New Programs,” in which we discussed how institutions can leverage partnerships to overcome these challenges and launch successful new programs, and we featured Gwynedd Mercy University’s launch of a new exercise science major through the Acadeum network.
Quickly Overcome Challenges of Launching New Programs
Developing new programs often requires significant investment in faculty, infrastructure, and curriculum development. Additionally, institutions may struggle to find qualified faculty, keep up with evolving workforce needs, and navigate the complexities of accreditation. Program Share, powered by Acadeum, offers a solution to these challenges. It enables institutions to access high-quality courses at other institutions and embed them into their own programs, allowing them to:
- Launch new programs faster and at a lower cost. By leveraging existing courses, institutions can reduce the time and resources required for program development.
- Expand their program offerings. Program Share provides access to a wider range of courses, enabling institutions to offer more diverse and specialized programs.
- Enhance existing programs. Institutions can use Program Share to fill gaps in their curriculum or add new concentrations and minors.
- Meet workforce demands. Program Share helps institutions align their programs with the needs of the job market, ensuring that students are prepared for successful careers.
Gwynedd Mercy University’s Success Story
During the webinar, we heard from Dr. Travis Meister and Dr. Jane Tang of Gwynedd Mercy University, who shared their experience using Program Share to develop a new exercise science program. This new program will serve as a pathway for exercise science students for nursing or other high-demand health profession majors. “As a smaller liberal arts institution, we can’t be everything to everybody. So the ability to connect curriculum from partner institutions makes it easier for us to do more with less,” cited Dr. Meister. Dr. Meister shared that the partnership with Acadeum has proven particularly beneficial by providing Gwynedd Mercy with access to invaluable market research and data, which has empowered them to make informed decisions about the viability of new programs. “The big advantage of Program Share is the speed to market–you don’t have to build the entire program to get it up and running. You can really decide which parts you want to build and which parts you don’t need to build,” said Dr. Meister.
Dr. Tang also commented that Acadeum’s commitment extends beyond data, with dedicated support and guidance offered throughout the entire process, from meticulous curriculum development to navigating the complexities of accreditation. Notably, the efficiency of Program Share has translated to a significantly faster time to market for new programs, which has allowed Gwynedd Mercy to respond swiftly to evolving student and market needs. Furthermore, by strategically leveraging existing courses through Acadeum, the university has realized substantial cost savings, optimizing resource allocation and maximizing the impact of its educational investments. Dr. Tang noted a previous experience in launching a new major resulted in a two-year process with over $350,000 in personnel costs alone.
Key Benefits of Program Share
Program Share offers a range of benefits for institutions looking to launch new programs.
- Flexibility: Institutions can customize programs to meet their specific needs and goals.
- Scalability: Program Share can be used to launch programs of any size, from small certificates to full degrees.
- Accreditation Support: Acadeum provides guidance and assistance with the accreditation process.
- Access to a Network of Experts: Institutions can tap into Acadeum’s network of experienced professionals for support and advice.
The Power of a Network
Program Share has the potential to transform the way institutions approach program development, enabling them to adapt to the changing higher education landscape and better serve their students. Leveraging an academic network provides institutions with the ability to collaborate and connect resources quickly. “Acadeum is like finding a paved road instead of walking through gravel. You get to know contacts at partner institutions and the connections become strong, making it easier to navigate the challenges many of us are facing,” shared Dr. Meister.
