GLOBAL
SUMMARY
The College of Professional Studies demonstrated another strong performance in graduate education in FY20. Student enrollment increased 54%, gross revenue increased 157%, 126 graduate students completed their degrees, and the college added programs with the MBA, and a certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching. The M.S. in Athletic Training enrolled cohort #2, and the Ed.D. enrolled its fourth cohort by the end of the fiscal year. Six students from the inaugural Ed.D. cohort successfully defended dissertations and graduated. These six were the first graduates of the program. The College of Professional Studies continued to invest in the start-up of new programs. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program hired a program director, clinical director and administrative support staff member in preparation for an upcoming accreditation visit with the Council on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in 2021 and the fall 2022 program start date. The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.), M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, M.S. in Education, M.S. in Community and Organizational Leadership, M.S. in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems, and teacher certification in Family and Consumer Sciences continue to see healthy enrollments. CPS continued participation in collaborative offerings though UW Extension including the M.S. in Health Care Administration and the M.S. in Health and Wellness Management.
In addition to the two collaboratives, and two state-funded degree programs, CPS operates eight programs as cost recovery. Cost-recovery budgeting carries risk, however, when operated successfully it can be a source of additional revenues. Programs that utilize a cost recovery-budget collect their own tuition and are responsible for their own expenses, and 32% overhead (16% UWSP, 6% CPS, 10% department); and to be successful they must be operated like a business. Successful cost recovery programs require flexibility and agility; and must respond quickly to student needs and market demands. Cost recovery programs in CPS include: • Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification • Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate • M.S. in Athletic Training • Master of Business Administration • M.S. in Community and Organizational Leadership/ Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems • M.S. in Education • Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability • Doctor of Physical Therapy Net revenues of cost recovery programs are reinvested to support student success (i.e. additional writing support for thesis and dissertation), instructional delivery, funding to support additional graduate assistants above the campus allocation, and to meet professional requirements such as
professional development and accreditation. Net revenues are used to market and build contingency funds should enrollments decrease; and to manage market or other external factors such as we’ve experienced with COVID-19. Net revenues are also used by Schools to build start-up funding for the development of new programs. It is important that cost recovery programs remain fiscally sound. CPS ensures fiscal responsibility through regular financial assessment and monitoring; and by actively managing each of several factors that contribute to the fiscal health of each program. Each program has a unique set of factors that contribute to program solvency that must be actively managed. Factors that impact fiscal health and drive CPS decision-making include: Market Factors • Market evaluation to determine customer availability and project enrollments, interests and needs to aid in content development, learning preferences to determine mode of delivery (online, hybrid, face-to-face). • Competitor evaluation to determine the competitive landscape and look critically at market saturation, identify a niche, and determine competitive tuition pricing.
Cost Factors • Start-up costs, which could include facility remodeling, accreditation fees, and faculty salaries necessary prior to the program start date. • Cost per Student Credit Hour (SCH) analysis, to determine program operating costs such as instruction (faculty and adjunct salaries), administration, labs and supplies, student support services, and 32% overhead costs (16% UWSP, 6% CPS, 10% department). Efficiency Factors • Class size to project the average class size needed to cover costs • Course fill rates • Overall enrollments where higher volumes can lower costs • Course frequency • Innovative delivery strategies such as utilizing instructional assistants or GA’s to lower costs • Stackable “add-ons” such as certificates that align with graduate degrees and serve to fill courses and recruit students Revenue Factors • Tuition is the basic source of revenue set at competitive and fiscally solvent levels. Managing tuition requires monitoring and the ability to adjust tuitions when necessary. • Fees, which can account for administrative costs and lab supplies.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
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GRADUATE PROGRAMS 2019-20
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