“Best Practices that Drive Enrollment in Adult
Programs...Consider the Cohort Approach”
Sharon McFarlane, M.B.A.Malone University
OCHEA 2011 Annual Conference
Management Program 1984 First Cohort
Dr. Daniel Hoskins, Primary InstructorRetired Professor of Business Administration
“That first night went smoothly and attitudes were just great,” explained Dr. Hoskins. “…all of the students bonded.” *
* “Malone College Management Program 20 Year Anniversary.” 2005. The Update, Volume III, Issue I, pg. 1.
Cohort Defined“…a group of individuals having a
statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study <a cohort of premedical>”
“Synonyms: associate, companion…”
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cohort? show=0&t=1300238099students> “ (March, 2011)
The Cohort Approach
Malone University cohort programs
Over the yearsBenefits to
studentsand school
Flexibility
“You are in the same situation as many of them so we all become a family and rely on each other. You get the support you need.”
Jenna GordonMarketing Management
Programs Using Cohorts
Malone Management Program (MMP),accelerated degree completion
RN to BSN, accelerated degree completion
Master’s of Business Administration
Malone Management Program
Cohort Fourteen monthsGround classes
four hours, once a week
Online courses available 24/7
Accelerated degree completion program
“With class one night a week, I can still work full time and I can still be there for my wife and my daughter.”William HarrisMarketing Management
RN to BSNCohortTwelve months of courseworkClasses meet once a week Canton, OhioBachelor of Science in Nursing, degree
completion program
“…the convenience of meeting on the same day of the week for a blocked out period of time for the entire program made sense as the best option for the family to help me meet my career goals.”
John Milburn, R.N., 2010
M.B.A.CohortTwenty-four monthsCourses planned for the entire
programClasses meet once a week for four
hours“Malone has a program that is designed
to fit conveniently into my busy personal and professional schedule.”
Polo ParedesM.B.A. student, 2011
Over the YearsResearch prior to launch of first
Management Program class
Grabowski & Company, 2010, survey of current and past students
Programs’ cohorts to spring 2011:◦ MMP started 1984;total cohorts: 258 ground,
and 26 online◦ RN to BSN started 1994; total cohorts: 35◦ MBA started1994; total cohorts: 34
Benefits to SchoolFeeder to other
school programsFeeder to other
coursesStudent
commitmentContinuity of
objectives and learning outcomes among courses
Benefits to StudentsTime managementFinancing plansClear picture of
graduation planSupport from
classmatesLife-long friendshipsSupport of faculty
and staffConfidence in other
programs
Reacting to Change
Students Internal and external
environmentsMMP: Additional program
majorsMMP: New program structuresRN to BSN: Structure
EnhancementsManagement Program
1984
2011
•Organizational Management•Canton, Ohio
Five majors;• Organizational• Project• Marketing• Health
Services• Environmental
Four Structures:• Ground:
Canton and Brecksville• Online• Hybrid• Mixed
RN to BSN
1994Twenty months, 42.5 credits
2011Twelve months of coursework , 36
credits
Summary
Malone programs with cohortsYesterday and todayBenefits to students and schoolMeeting the changing needs of
students and the environment
Thank You!