Close, but No Degree: Removing Barriers to Degree-Completion and Economic Advancement in New Jersey

The authors examined existing policies and programs in New Jersey that facilitate degree attainment by providing flexible post-secondary education options through the workforce development system to students who are close to earning a degree. The authors concluded with policy recommendations to increase degree completion rates by “aligning [workforce development and education systems], funding tuition, providing student supports, recruiting students for completion, providing flexible delivery, and giving credit for alternative activities” (p. 1). (Abstractor: Author and Website Staff)

• “The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Higher Education should formalize a collaborative relationship to identify near‐completers and provide them with support to complete a two‐ or four‐year degree” (p.10). • “The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Higher Education should work together to make college completion an option for training within local WIA initiatives” (p.11). • “New Jersey Higher Education should work to streamline the credit review process, lower its cost, and make credit review available as a supportive service to help students complete college in a shorter period of time” (p.12). • “The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development should expand options for delivery of postsecondary education, such as greater flexibility with the Eligible Training Provider list” (p.12). (Abstractor: Author)

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2012
• Author(s): McKay, Heather A.; Nisbet, Elizabeth
• Organizational Author(s): Center for Women and Work, Rutgers University
• Funding Source: Funding source not identified
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Wesley Peterson
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies