Goal 2

We are currently in the process of identifying a small suite of non-credit alternative credentials for a pilot that will launch in Fall 2021. During the Summer 2021 term, each college will receive support to develop new non-credit courses in partnership with instructional designers and multimedia developers. We have also accomplished the following:

• Established pilot working group to identify alternative credentials across seven colleges and other units
• Held brainstorming sessions with colleges to align unit strengths with potential market demand
• Conducted cursory market research on 35 proposed non-credit alternative offerings
• Submitted pilot working group progress report
• Conducted a focused, employer survey
• Solicited two to three full proposals for non-credit programs from each college
• Convened Goal Two Pilot Proposal Review Committee

A task force established university-wide definitions for non-credit alternative credentials in Spring 2020. We are also working to establish quality assurance and assessment measures for non-credit offerings, confirm pilot offerings meet HLC accreditation standards, and engage in continued assessment of pilot programs and additional offerings.

In February 2021, the University licensed a new technology platform called Brightspace for the Goal Two Initiative that will provide non-credit, adult learners with an Amazon-like user experience through which they can easily find, select, and enroll in non-credit courses. An internal team led by Jennifer Palilonis and Mark Watters is currently engaged in the process of system implementation. Faculty developing new courses for the non-credit pilot initiative will receive Brightspace training this Spring.

An internal team is conducting research to establish a business model that includes pricing strategies, faculty compensation, and a scalable financial model for non-credit alternative offerings. The team is also exploring how revenue and expenses will flow through budget model and working to establish a long-term organizational structure for the non-credit space.

University Marketing and Communications is leading development of a marketing and communications plan and branding for non-credit programs at Ball State. They will also develop recruitment and marketing strategies for pilot offerings, as well as test branding ideas with alumni, adult learners, and learners enrolled in pilot offerings.

The Goal Two Launch team is engaged in ongoing efforts to explore how the University’s satellite centers in Fishers, downtown Indianapolis, and the E.B. and Bertha C. will be integrated into the pilot program, as well as long-term plans for lifetime learning initiatives.