#21-Update 3

Title: NCES Requests Final Comments Regarding First-Professional Enrollment and Degree Reporting in IPEDS

Summary

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is considering revising the way it collects data on enrollment and degrees for students in first-professional fields in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The NCES proposes eliminating the first-professional category and adding reporting categories for doctoral and master's programs. Research/Scholarship Doctor's Degrees would be reported separately from Professional Practice-Entry Level Doctor's Degrees; M.A. and M.S. degrees would be categorized as Research/Scholarship Master's, while other master's degrees would be categorized as Professional Practice-Entry Level Master's Degrees. The NCES would like to implement these new IPEDS enrollment and completions reporting requirements as an option in the Fall 2007 data collection and make them mandatory in the Fall 2008 data collection. (See http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TRP15a.asp for more information.)

The NCES is seeking comments on the proposed changes, including the ability of institutions to comply with the new reporting requirements within the timeframe proposed. Please send your comments and suggestions by March 8, 2006, to Elise Miller, IPEDS Program Director, at Elise.Miller@ed.gov. Include the following in the email subject line: First-professional TRP #15 - Proposal comments.

Current Status

Background. For the most part, the programs currently classified as first-professional are a rather eclectic group of post-baccalaureate programs that prepare students for licensure to practice in particular fields. Over time, considerable change has occurred in the length of the program and degree level attained, as well as the educational pre-requisites of these and other professional programs. In recent years, representatives from a number of disciplines have approached NCES about expanding the category to designate their particular field of study as "first-professional." In contrast, there also have been calls from the field to eliminate the "first professional" as a discrete designation. Still others seek completion data that would distinguish research/scholarly programs from those primarily designed for professional practice.

Definitions of proposed categories:

• Master's degree - research/scholarship
  A master's degree that requires advanced work beyond the baccalaureate level, including the preparation and defense of a thesis based on research, or the planning and execution of a project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly competence. These degrees typically prepare recipients for entry into research/scholarship doctoral programs.



• Master's degree - professional practice entry level
  A master's degree that is conferred on completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required to enter professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years.



• Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
  A doctorate that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement.


• Doctor's degree - professional practice entry level
  A doctorate that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required to enter professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years.

In addition, a data element--program objective-would be added to the completions report for master's and doctoral degrees. The proposed values of program objective are: (1) research/scholarship, (2) professional practice entry level, or (3) other.

Implications for Institutions

There are various concerns with regard to the implementation of changes in first-professional degree and enrollment reporting, including the possible loss of trend data, changes in institutional classifications, and the identification of programs for inclusion in each category. These changes may necessitate making changes in institutional data systems and report formats.

If the first-professional level is eliminated, reporting guidelines will need to be revised. Instructions will be needed on how to report students currently categorized as first-professional who are in programs that do not require an undergraduate degree (e.g., in the future, should they be reported as undergraduate students or as graduate students, or as undergraduates for a certain period and then as graduate students-and, if the latter, how/when to change the level). The NCES would appreciate receiving feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of these possible approaches to reporting this group of students.

Timeline

April 2004 - NCES posted a notice seeking comments on first-professional degree reporting in IPEDS (http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/trp7.asp).

July 2005 - NCES posted a notice seeking additional comments on first-professional degree reporting in IPEDS (http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/trp7update.asp).

Fall 2005 - TRP meeting to discuss first-professional degree reporting in IPEDS.

February, 2006 - NCES posted a notice seeking comments on first-professional degree reporting in IPEDS (http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TRP15a.asp).

March 8, 2006 - NCES deadline for final comment to be submitted to Elise Miller, IPEDS Program Director, at Elise.Miller@ed.gov.

Fall 2007 - NCES would like to implement this new definition for reporting first-professional degree and enrollment information with the Fall 2007 data collection. As with all changes to IPEDS, the first collection year would be optional, the second year use of the new definition would be mandatory.

Additional Resources

The NCES notice about the options for first-professional degree reporting in IPEDS is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TRP15a.asp

Comprehensive information about IPEDS is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds

Related AIR Alerts

AIR Alert # 21: NCES Requests Comments Regarding Proposed IPEDS Changes (May 2004).

AIR Alert # 21 Update 1: Proposals and Plans for IPEDS Changes (October 2004

AIR Alert # 21 Update 2: NCES Requests Additional Comments Regarding First-Professional Enrollment and Degree Reporting in IPEDS

Authors: Edward Delaney, NCES/AIR Senior Fellow, Peggye Cohen, Mary Sapp, and Carol Fuller

Coordinated by the Higher Education Data Policy Committee. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Association for Institutional Research.