‘Steps Taken’ to support strong system of graduate education

IU and other institutions of higher education have taken a stance on how to produce well-prepared graduate degree holders. This stance is part of a plan to make the role of graduate education the focus of a bright future.

Dean of the University Graduate School Jim Wimbush is a member of the Board of Directors in the Council of Graduate Schools and the Commission on the Future of Graduate Education. He spoke recently about the release of the report “Steps Taken on the Path Forward” during a forum on graduate education in Washington, D.C.

“Steps Taken” is an updated report that describes and reviews the impact of “The Path Forward,” a report that came out in April 2010 that outlines ongoing issues and challenges facing graduate education now and in the future.

“The ‘Path Forward’ report asked the question whether or not if graduate education would be important going forward,” Wimbush said. “Yes, it will be, but there are changes that need to be made in order for us to prepare people for the jobs and opportunities available in the future.”

“The Path Forward” lists recommendations for universities, policymakers and all levels of government. It also outlines graduate education issues in areas of critical decision processes, changing priorities, creating new communication channels, shaping evaluation metrics and introducing new programs.

Wimbush said one of the challenges universities face in the graduate system is completion, something IU is focused on. The key factor toward completion is financial support. IU also focuses on the areas of recruitment and career and professional
development.

Graduate education has become a staple for most careers. “Path Forward” notes that the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2018, 2.5 million jobs will require people who have advanced degrees. Specifically, jobs requiring master’s degrees have increased 18 percent and those requiring doctoral degrees have increased 17
percent.

Wimbush is also part of the New Academic Directions project at IU. The report examines the academic structure to make sure it includes the right mix of degree programs and flexibility. Wimbush said the project did not come about due to “Path Forward” but both share the same ideas. He said the report has had a phenomenal effect in the past year.

“Those of us who are part of the commission have been very pleased with how well it has been received and the actions that have been taken place,” Wimbush said.
For undergraduate students looking to complete a graduate degree, Wimbush said applications for programs have increased in the past three years due to the economy’s downturn.

“Even with the improvement of the economy, I still think we will still see more applicants. Many individuals have recognized that for career mobility a bachelor’s degree is not enough.”