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

I rarely see UWO grads come through my door as applicants. They go to school in London and
then they leave. College grads tend to be from the area and they stay in town.
Having a differentiation between what is offered at college and university is important. People
need to understand that when they go to college they are getting practical education from
instructors with industry experience while at university they are taught by academics with
research experience. Employers will probably place a higher value on university degrees because
they are harder to get into.
Fanshawe Business Diploma Programs
An important consideration for Fanshawe College is the impact of college business degrees on the
College’s existing business diploma programs. Asked if they saw a continued need for business diploma
programs if the proposed college degree programs were introduced, close to two‐thirds of Employers
acknowledged that there will always be a market for business diplomas (Figure 21). It may be a concern,
however, that several Employers questioned the continued relevance of business diploma programs if
the business degrees go forward.
In offering a rationale for their responses, Employers often stated that a diploma provides an option for
students who do not have time or resources to commit to four years of school. Several Employers
observed that there are some positions that only require a diploma and that smaller businesses often
cannot afford to pay for a degree graduate to fill an entry‐level position. A few Employers stated that a
range of options is important, since different students have varying goals and motivations. Related to
this theme, some Employers encouraged Fanshawe to offer the new degrees with flexible options for
diploma students to ladder into the degree programs. It was observed by a few Employers that
community colleges are intended to be accessible to all and therefore have a mandate to continue to
provide diploma options. Two Employers expressed the opinion that Fanshawe should only offer
diplomas.
There are a number of reasons such as timing, financial situation or not being sure what to do
yet. Coming out of high school students often don't know what they want, so shorter diploma
programs are a good option.
You have to have those options. Some people don't have the time or money to put into four
years. Then you're getting away from what the college is supposed to offer. College is supposed
to be for everyone.
Employers who did not see a continued need for diploma programs warned that employers would be
unlikely to make a clear distinction between a diploma and a degree. They saw a real risk that employers
would no longer consider diplomas sufficient to meet their needs, and would raise their minimum entry
requirements. .
Fanshawe needs to decide what they want to offer. I don't know how they would differentiate
the programs. In London there would be a three‐tiered system (diplomas, college degrees and
university degrees). Are college degrees needed No (but they could probably be successful).
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
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