Owens Community College has reviewed programs being offered and will eliminate several, mostly
certificates, due to declining enrollment in those programs and the changing need for workers in the
community.
Among the programs being phased out are cancer information management, e-business, alternative energy and
sustainable systems, environmental health and safety technology, and interior design technology.
Students currently enrolled in these programs and certificates will be given one additional year to
complete a certificate and two additional years to complete an associate degree. This is standard
protocol for program closures, according to Denise Smith, vice provost of academic services and dean of
interdisciplinary studies at Owens. All students have been notified of the time lines specific to their
degree.
According to Smith, many factors are considered when reviewing programs. These include enrollment and
graduation percentages, students taking the classes in the area, available jobs in the immediate area,
and how the educational program aligns with requirements for employment.
"Community colleges like Owens review programs on a continuous basis to better align the training
and education offered to meet the needs of the communities we serve," said Smith. "We want to
ensure that our students are afforded every opportunity for success through the programs and
certificates offered."
Smith said low enrollment, graduation rates, having no active students, and not being aligned to job
market needs contributed to why the five programs are ending. The college is looking to incorporate the
coursework of these programs into other existing programs, or change them into workforce certificates
and short-term training opportunities.
She used the elimination of the international business major as an example of how the college will
incorporate that training into its business degree.
For the five programs ending, those courses still exist but will be offered as electives.
Among the certificates being terminated are music business, pop music, interior design, organizational
leadership, alternative energy, applied engineering, biomedical electronics, bio-science technology,
CAD/CAM, CNC operator, construction inspector, expanded functions dental auxiliary, project management,
applied engineering and urban agriculture.
Smith said many of the certificates duplicate programs that offer the same training. Most, she added,
have turned in associate degrees.
In most cases, low enrollment was the biggest issue, said Smith. But the college also looks at "how
the educational program aligns to what is required for employment."
Smith also reported at Tuesday’s meeting of the Owens Board of Trustees that nursing students are doing
exceedingly well on their state tests.
According to Smith, students completing the Practical Nursing Certificate finished 2013 with a
100-percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). All 33 students who took
the test passed.
By comparison, the statewide NCLEX-PN pass rate is 84.32 percent, and the national pass rate is 84.63
percent.
Students completing the registered nursing program finished 2013 with a pass rate on ghe NCLEX exam of
93.13 percent. One hundred sixty students took the test and 149 students passed.
The Ohio pass rate is 80.16 percent and the national pass rate is 83.04 percent.
The exams are designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the practice of nursing
at the entry-level.
Smith also reported that the Ohio Board of Regents has approved the merger of Fire Science Technology and
Emergency Medical Management degrees into a new Emergency Services Technology degree beginning fall
2014.
This move will allow students to earn both the Fire 1 and Fire 2 certifications, as well as their
Paramedic Certification.