Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

(13.7%) 13 . They are also the only two institutions currently offering part‐time enrollment (part‐time
enrollment of college graduates is highest at Ryerson (33.5%) and York (11.4%) 14 ).
Given the numerous offerings, would there not be an over‐saturation of degree offerings in the
marketplace
The research findings in this report do not indicate this would necessarily be the case, as the needs and
demands of today’s students relate more to accessibility, the offering of different pathways and the
educational outcomes of a program, all of which a college education is able to provide. Students cite the
ability to transfer credits easily into a degree program, the possible career paths upon graduation, along
with the reputation of the program and the school, and the types of courses offered as the most
important factors in choosing a degree program.
“It's a great idea. I only planned on doing a 2 year program and then I decided to do the extra
third year. If there was a fourth year offered to receive a degree I would have done it for sure.”
(Alumnus)
“I think this is a great idea. I am thinking of this from the perspective of my own kids. My son got
a BMOS degree at Western and applied but didn't get into Ivey. My daughter got a double
diploma from Fanshawe in HR. Now she is getting a business degree online from Athabasca. She
would definitely have stayed for a degree at Fanshawe if it was available.” (Employer)
Included in these top factors is also the location of the school. And among Alumni, the availability of
part‐time options and online delivery also rank highly in importance.
In addition, the abundance of business degree options available does not necessarily preclude that new
degree program offerings would be over‐saturating the market. The relative success of new business
degree offerings at colleges over the past few years suggests that they are meeting the changing needs
and demands in the student marketplace for different pathway options to achieving a business or
business‐related degree, as well as offering more accessible options. Success is here determined by the
number of applications relative to enrollments to programs (OCAS data analysis). For most college
business degree programs currently offered, the total number of first choice applicants far exceeds the
number of students who enroll in the programs themselves, in some cases by three or four to one.
Some college degree programs have had appeal beyond their own catchment areas, typically drawing
between ten percent and twenty percent of students from outside their own areas. There is the
opportunity to cater to students locally as a small percentage of students are attending colleges in the
GTA to obtain a business degree. Conversely, Fanshawe College could potentially offer specialized
programs that would draw students from the GTA. Conestoga College, the geographically closest college
competitor has shown promising numbers with the launch of its business degrees. The college has
drawn a good proportion of applications (averaged over the years the programs have been in existence)
from the GTA/Central catchment areas through its Accounting, Audit and Information Technology
13 Ibid., p.8
14 Ibid., p.8.
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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