“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!