Merced College Program Investigation: Physical Science Office of Grants & Institutional Research Presentation Convening Meeting September 30, 2014 Presented by: Andrea Hall-Cuccia, Sr. Research Analyst (interim)
Policy Title 5, Section 51022,...College districts are required by current regulation and statute to develop a process for program discontinuance and minimum criteria for the discontinuance of occupational programs. Merced College Administrative Policy 4021 (AP 4021),...There are three potential outcomes of the Program Discontinuance process. A program may be recommended to continue, to continue with qualification, or to discontinue (emphasis added). Discussion of program discontinuance must include all parties potentially affected by the decision.
Methodology In Spring 2014, the Office of Grants and Institutional Research (OGIR) was asked to identify quantitative data for the Physical Science Program to further inform the discussion a program discontinuance. Quantitative statistics analyzed were: Program Graduates Comparable Programs Labor Market State and National Examinations, Credentials, and Certifications State and National Associations The requested timeframe was Fall 2003 to Spring 2013 (10 years).
Program An Associate of Arts (AA) in Physical Science consists of 18 units: 12 required units and 6 elective units. The required courses are: CHEM-02A Introductory Chemistry OR- CHEM-04A General Chemistry GEOL-01 Physical Geology PHYS-02A General Physics I All courses are CSU transferrable. While there are courses unique to Physical Science, they are not required for a Physical Science degree. However, they may be required for other degrees, for example Natural Sciences, and may fulfill breadth requirements.
Program Graduates 8 Merced College students received Physical Science degrees during the reporting period. All degrees were awarded in 2009-2010 or later. Of these students, one declared an interest in Physical Science. Other related interests included Biological Science, Geology, Natural Sciences, and Archeology. 9 8 Graph 1: Awards 2003-2004 to 2012-2013 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 Total Physical Science Source: CCCCO DataMart
Program Interest From August 1, 2003, to September 29, 2014, 248 students declared an interest in Physical Science. Of these, 106 (42.74%) declared an interest during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, or 2014-2015 academic years. Of the students declaring an interest in Physical Science during the reporting period, 10 earned degrees during the reporting period. Only one of these degrees was in Physical Science. One earned a degree in Health Sciences. Other degrees awarded included General Studies, University Studies, History, Psychology, and Transfer Studies. Of the students declaring an interest in Physical Science, 15 received degrees from fouryear institutions. None of these degrees were in Physical Science. One student received a degree in Physics, and four received degrees in Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, and Exercise Management.
Comparable Programs Six of the 14 colleges in the Central Valley area offer Physical Science degrees. These colleges awarded 97 degrees in Physical Science from 2003-2004 to 2012-2013. Modesto Junior College accounted for 56.70% of these degrees. Merced College accounted for 7.22%. A total of 1,341 degrees in this subject were awarded by all California community colleges during this time. The Central Valley area accounted for 7.23% of degrees awarded in this subject in the state. 60 Graph 2: Central Valley Awards 2003-2004 to 2012-2013 55 50 40 30 23 20 10 0 7 7 2 3 Fresno City College Merced College Modesto Junior College Reedley College College of the Sequoias Taft College Source: CCCCO
Labor Market: Projections The following occupations were examined: Postsecondary Atmospheric and Space Science Teachers Middle School Teachers Secondary School Teachers Surveying and Mapping Technicians Employment for postsecondary atmospheric and space science teachers is expected to grow 9.5% statewide by 2020, employment for middle school teachers will grow 11.5%, employment for secondary school teachers will grow 2.0%, and employment for surveying and mapping technicians will grow 12.5%. Fresno MSA (19.2%) and Merced MSA (17.6%) are predicted to grow faster than the state in employment of middle school teachers. Fresno MSA (8.8%) and Stockton MSA (9.8%) are expected to grow faster than the state in employment of secondary school teachers. Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is supposed to grow by a third (33.3%) in Merced MSA and a quarter (25.0%) in Stockton MSA, much faster than the state overall (12.5%). 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% Graph 4: Projected Employment Growth 2010-2020 California Fresno MSA Merced MSA Modesto MSA Stockton MSA 33.3% 25.0% 20.0% 19.2% 17.6% 15.0% 10.0% 9.5% 11.5% 10.8% 10.9% 8.8% 9.8% 12.5% 11.1% 5.0% 0.0% N/A N/A N/A N/A Postsecondary Atmospheric and Space Science Teachers 2.0% 1.5% N/A N/A Middle School Teachers Secondary School Teachers Surveying and Mapping Tecnicians Source: EDD
Labor Market: Salary Postsecondary atmospheric and space science teachers ($91,930) had the highest annual salary nationally, and surveying and mapping technicians ($42,680) had the lowest. Average salaries for surveying and mapping technicians were $62,858 in California, $64,626 in Fresno MSA, $78,520 in Merced MSA, and $61,027 in Modesto MSA. Data were not available for Stockton MSA. Salaries statewide and at the MSA level were higher than nationally. $100,000 $90,000 $91,930 Graph 6: Average Annual Salary-National $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $56,280 $57,770 $50,000 $40,000 $42,680 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $- Postsecondary Atmospheric and Space Science Teachers Middle School Teachers Secondary School Teachers Surveying and Mapping Technicians Source: BLS, EDD
State and National Examinations, Credentials, Certifications, and Associations Physical Science, in general, does not have any licensing or certification requirements. However, secondary and middle school teachers may be subject to state teacher certification requirements. Surveying and mapping technicians may also be subject to state licensing and certification.
Summary 8 students received Physical Science degrees from 2003-2004 to 2013-2011. All degrees were awarded in 2009-2010 or later. This suggests that interest in the program is fairly recent, even though the program has existed for some time. From August 1, 2003, to September 29, 2014, 248 students declared an interest in Physical Science. Of these, 106 (42.74%) declared an interest during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, or 2014-2015 academic years. Of the students declaring an interest in Physical Science, 10 earned degrees during the reporting period. Only one of these degrees was in Physical Science. This suggests that interest in Physical Science is not translating into degrees. However, students declaring an interest recently may not have received degrees yet. Other explanations are possible. Of the students who earned degrees in Physical Science, one declared an interest in Physical Science. Other related interests included Biological Science, Geology, Natural Sciences, and Archeology. Of the students declaring an interest in Physical Science, 15 received degrees from four-year institutions. None of these degrees were in Physical Science. One student received a degree in Physics, and four received degrees in Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, and Exercise Management.
Summary (cont d) Six of the 14 colleges in the Central Valley area offer Physical Science degrees. These colleges awarded 97 degrees in Physical Science from 2003-2004 to 2012-2013. Modesto Junior College accounted for 56.70% of these degrees. Modesto Junior College and Fresno City College, both of whom offer Physical Science degrees, are within an hour s drive of Merced College. Employment for postsecondary atmospheric and space science teachers is expected to grow 9.5% statewide by 2020, employment for middle school teachers will grow 11.5%, employment for secondary school teachers will grow 2.0%, and employment for surveying and mapping technicians will grow 12.5%. Fresno MSA (19.2%) and Merced MSA (17.6%) are predicted to grow faster than the state in employment of middle school teachers. Fresno MSA (8.8%) and Stockton MSA (9.8%) are expected to grow faster than the state in employment of secondary school teachers. Employment of surveying and mapping technicians is supposed to grow by a third (33.3%) in Merced MSA and a quarter (25.0%) in Stockton MSA, much faster than the state overall (12.5%). This suggests that there is occupational demand in the nearby geographic area, particularly for surveying and mapping technicians. Postsecondary atmospheric and space science teachers ($91,930) had the highest annual salary nationally, and surveying and mapping technicians ($42,680) had the lowest. Salaries for surveying and mapping technicians statewide and at the MSA level were higher than nationally. Coupled with the rising demand for surveying and mapping technicians in Merced and Stockton MSAs, this suggests that there are robust opportunities for students with Physical Science degrees in the area of surveying and mapping.
Alternatives Pursuant to AP4021, the Merced College Office of Grants and Institutional Research presents the following alternatives addressing each of the potential outcomes: Continue: There have been recent graduates from the program, and a substantial number of students applying recently declared an interest in Physical Science. Continue with Qualification: The program curriculum could be modified to better meet the needs of Merced College students. Other institutions such as Fresno City College and Modesto Junior College could provide models for such modification. Discontinue: All courses required for a Physical Science degree belong to other disciplines and may fulfill other requirements. A more specific major such as chemistry, physics, or geology may provide the same opportunities for students. In addition, nearby colleges, including Fresno City College and Modesto Junior College, offer Physical Science programs.
The final determination as to the viability of the Physical Program at Merced College lies with the Program Investigation committee. Discussion of program discontinuance must include all parties potentially affected by the decision, including faculty, staff, administrators, students, potential employers, and the community.
Merced College Program Investigation: Physical Science Questions? Comments?
Merced College Program Investigation: Physical Science Thank you! The Office of Grants and Institutional Research will be available for any follow-up as needed. Contact: Andrea Hall-Cuccia, Sr. Research Analyst (interim) phone (209) 384-6370, e-mail, andrea.hall-cuccia@mccd.edu 2014 Merced College Office of Grants and Institutional Research, Merced College, 3600 M Street, Merced, CA 95348 Telephone (209) 386-6786; Internet address: http://www.mccd.edu. Bibliography available upon request.