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

“Regionally, we are the largest college in the region and there is an ongoing interest in business
in the region. […]The economic foundation of the SW Ontario region is necessarily changing from
heavy reliance on primary manufacturing to increased secondary service sector. There will
inevitably be a redirection of emphasis in our region and we will be able to help support and
meet that through these degrees.” (Fanshawe College Stakeholder)
Offering business degrees would allow the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business to remain relevant and
competitive in the marketplace, as increasingly professional bodies are implementing degree
requirements for professional certifications. A few Internal Stakeholders (and a couple of Employers)
argued that the degree programs would also help to raise the status and profile of the Lawrence Kinlin
School of Business and that with a range of business degree options between Western and Fanshawe,
London could conceivably be marketed as the “business school centre”, similar to Waterloo’s reputation
as a “technology city”.
“And as more and more of the business professional credentialing partnerships are moving to
degree based requirements there is more and more pressure for us to remain relevant, to offer
the diploma, the advanced diploma, certificate and the degree suite of products. We need the
full suite.” (Fanshawe College Stakeholder)
“We hope that provides a benefit for us in terms of enrollment, we may have students stay
longer. Certainly it will be more in line with industry certifications that are moving towards
degrees. This gives us a product that maintains that good relationships. International students
know that degrees are better than diplomas. Generally enhanced image for the college that we
have a degree. In many minds, a degree is a minimum for some employers. We can offer it in a
new flavour that is in keeping with employers needs too, in terms of practical skills.” (Fanshawe
College Stakeholder)
Fanshawe is positioned well in Southwestern Ontario. It is a leading institution with a great
brand. It is lacking in some of the relevant areas in today's marketplace and offering business
degrees could help that.” (Employer)
Two‐thirds of Employers we interviewed endorsed the development of business degree programs by
Fanshawe College; twenty percent were unsure and 13% were against the idea, i.e., a college offering a
degree program.
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
23