2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

seeking credit students were enrolled in occupational programs while 41.5% were enrolled in
transfer programs. Since FY 2003, more students have graduated from occupational programs
than transfer programs; however, the popularity of specific occupational programs has been
shifting over time. There has been a steady increase in the number of academic awards in the
health services area, reaching 223 degrees in the graduating class of 2007, and declining only
slightly to 206 in the graduating class of 2008. This number of graduates surpasses our 2010
target by 24 students. Fiscal year 2008 degree earning in two other tracked occupational
programs dropped from the previous reporting period. Compared with 2007 levels, the number
of business related degrees declined by 13% (93 to 81) and the number of public service degrees
dropped by 35% (91 to 60). On the other hand, there was a small revival of technology-related
credentials between 2007 and 2008. The number of computer-related degrees increased from 49
to 57 (+16%) and those in engineering technology jumped from 9 to 15 (+67%). Overall, tracked
occupational degree earning fell from 465 to 419 (-10%) between the 2007 and 2008 graduating
classes (PAR 19).
Enrollment trends suggest that most of these degree program graduation rate declines may be
temporary. Since fall 2005, the number of students enrolled in business, engineering technology
and public service degree programs has remained relatively constant; this should lead to future
graduate increases in these categories. The number of information systems students, however,
has genuinely declined over the years.
Prince George's Community College also supports the economic development of the county by
providing quality workforce training programs. We continue to enlist a significant number of
county businesses in offering their employees both PGCC credit and non-credit workforce
development training (41 in 2008, up from 35 in 2007 – PAR 26). The business community in
the county continues to acknowledge the importance of our contract training courses to their
professional development programs, as evidenced by the number of enrollments (8,672 in fiscal
year 2008, down slightly from the 2007 figure of 9,450 figure but still well over the 3,334 figure
for fiscal year 2005). In terms of contract training headcount, 3,304 students enrolled in 2008,
down slightly from the 3,579 who attended the year before but way over the 2,318 students
enrolled in 2005. Both contract training course enrollments and headcounts surpass the 2010
benchmark indicating program success (PAR 27).
Non-contracted workforce development courses did even better (PAR 24). Both course
enrollments and student headcounts grew between 2007 and 2008 (from 21,711 to 21,995; and
from 14,491 to 15,297, respectively) and each increased more than 50% from fiscal year 2005
levels. Both now considerably exceed their 2010 benchmarks. Continuing Education programs
leading to industry-required certification or licensure leveled off between 2007 and 2008 both in
course enrollments and registrant numbers (PAR 25). Course enrollments decreased from 13,783
to 13,265 and headcount from 8,460 to 7,674. Both metrics, however, showed considerable
growth since 2005 (+52% in course enrollment, 10% in headcount), surpassing 2010
benchmarks.
The college experienced varying levels of job preparation success as gauged by fiscal year 2008
statistics on students’ first-time pass rates on professional licensure tests (PAR 23). Two
programs saw increases in graduated student pass rates, comparing 2007 and 2008 results – the
pass rate for Health Education Management students jumped from 29% to 83% and the
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