The First Professional Degree Classification Jeff Weber 2003

The First Professional Degree Classification Jeff Weber 2003 -2004 AIR/NCES Senior Fellow

Purpose of the Project n Develop recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the collection and use of IPEDS data on first-professional degrees n The current categories of data collection were developed in the late 1950's, and considerable change has occurred in the structure of U. S. occupations. The Fellowship project should address the ways in which the current IPEDS categories may be modified, expanded, contracted, or eliminated.

Practical Objective n Ease the volume of the 3 types of mail received by the department regarding First Professional Degrees: – “We want in!” – Upset by what appears to be an eclectic collection of programs – Question the rationale for the category

First Professional Degree Definition [From the 2000 Classification of Instructional Programs] An award that requires postsecondary study of the basic body of knowledge and skills required to function as an entry-level professional in certain fields specified for reporting purposes by the U. S. Department of Education. These awards require the completion of a program that meets all of the following criteria:

First Professional Degree Definition completion of the program provides the academic prerequisites necessary for licensure in a recognized profession; 2. requires at least 2 years of college-level study prior to entering the program; and 3. the degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total registered time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional study, equals at least 6 full-time equivalent academic years. 1.

CIP code validation n All CIP codes are verified against the 1990 or 2000 version of the Classification of Instructional Programs manual, depending on which the user has selected. n CIP codes used to report first-professional degrees and certificates (award levels 10) will be checked against the following list of approved first-professional degree programs:

Current Programs n n n 22. 0101 = Law (L. L. B. or J. D. ) 51. 0101 = Chiropractic (D. C. or D. C. M. ) 51. 0401 = Dentistry (D. D. S. or D. M. D. ) 51. 1201 = Medicine, General (M. D. ) 51. 1701 = Optometry (O. D. ) 51. 1901 = Osteopathic Medicine (D. O. ) 51. 2001 = Pharmacy (Pharm. D. ) 51. 2101 = Podiatry (D. P. M. , Pod. D. , D. P. ) 51. 2401 = Veterinary Medicine (D. V. M. ) 39. 0602 = Divinity/Ministry (B. D. , M. Div. , or Ordination) 39. 0603 = Rabbinical and Talmudic Studies (M. H. L. / Rav) 39. 0605 = Ordination, Other

CIP code validation n Except for 51. 2001 (Pharmacy) which can also be used to report bachelor's degrees, these CIP codes may ONLY be used for first-professional degrees or certificates. n Invalid CIP codes will not be imported into the data collection database. A listing of invalid CIP codes and corresponding line numbers in the import file will be provided.

Current usage. . . IPEDS: n Completions Surveys n Institutional Characteristics n Fall Enrollment n Longitudinal Surveys (e. g. Baccalaureate and Beyond) …And of the workforce:

California’s Institutional Delineations n The California State University shall offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through the master's degree in the liberal arts and sciences and professional education, including teacher education. n The University of California shall have exclusive jurisdiction in public higher education over instruction in the profession of law and over graduate instruction in the professions of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine.

Defining “First Professional”

“First Professional” vs. professions n Similar confusions as with the definition used for “occupational specificity. ” n Minimum credential to practice n Evolution and legitimization of fields

What is a profession? pro·fes·sion noun 1. An occupation requiring considerable training and specialized study: the professions of law, medicine, and engineering. 2. The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field: members of the teaching profession. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition

What is a professional? pro·fes·sion·al noun 1. A person following a profession, especially a learned profession. 2. One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation: hired a professional to decorate the house. 3. A skilled practitioner; an expert The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition

DETC Definition n … There are many more professional fields of study in the United States, but those listed here are unique in that they are not offered at the undergraduate level. n “It is also important to recognize that First Professional degrees in these fields are first degrees, not graduate research degrees. Several of the degree titles in this group of subjects incorporate the term “Doctor, ” but they are not research doctorates and not equivalent to the Ph. D.

F. P. Defining Rationale n Rationale for First Professional Degree Classification (i. e. “what makes these programs different? ) – Differential Tuition – Nature of Curriculum (practitioners) – Length of Curriculum (6 years – current definition) – Licensure (“peer control”)

The First Professional Degree Classification Recommendation and Redefinition

Evolving and Emerging Fields n Physical Therapy n Audiology n Architecture n Engineering n Others?

Doctor of Physical Therapy Vision 2020 contains a clear reference to "doctors of physical therapy" and thus reflects support for doctorally-prepared practitioners and the clinical doctorate as the first professional degree. Source: American Physical Therapy Association

Doctor of Audiology “…audiology is now being viewed as a First Professional Degree profession that does not have an undergraduate major…” Source: Colorado Commission on Higher Education

American Society of Civil Engineers Policy Statement 465 and Charge to and Approach of the Task Committee n “The ASCE supports the concept of the master’s degree as the First Professional Degree (FPD) for the practice of civil engineering (CE) at the professional level. ” n

Options n 3 options for re-definition – Leave alone (does not respond to the needs of the department) – Eliminate (creates difficulties with historical comparisons) – Expand/Re-define (requires a cohesive, organized listing and a supportive definition)

Existing F. P. Degrees n n n 22. 0101 = Law (L. L. B. or J. D. ) 51. 0101 = Chiropractic (D. C. or D. C. M. ) 51. 0401 = Dentistry (D. D. S. or D. M. D. ) 51. 1201 = Medicine, General (M. D. ) 51. 1701 = Optometry (O. D. ) 51. 1901 = Osteopathic Medicine (D. O. ) 51. 2001 = Pharmacy (Pharm. D. ) 51. 2101 = Podiatry (D. P. M. , Pod. D. , D. P. ) 51. 2401 = Veterinary Medicine (D. V. M. ) 39. 0602 = Divinity/Ministry (B. D. , M. Div. , or Ordination) 39. 0603 = Rabbinical and Talmudic Studies (M. H. L. / Rav) 39. 0605 = Ordination, Other

Broad Categories of F. P. Degrees n Medical and Health Professions n Materials and engineering n Social/Mental assistance

Additional F. P. Degrees (Health) n n 51. 0202 Audiology/Audiologist and Hearing Sciences 51. 2308 Physical Therapy/Therapist 51. 2306 Occupational Therapy/Therapist 51. 3303 Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy (ND) n 51. 3301 Acupuncture 51. 3302 Traditional Chinese/Asian Medicine and Chinese Herbology n 44. 0701 Social Work n

Additional F. P. Degrees (Finance) 52. 0802 Actuarial Science n 52. 0804 Financial Planning and Services n MBA n Tax n Brokerage n n Note: most business programs would require a re-definition to isolate them from undergraduate study.

Additional F. P. Degrees (Materials) 04. 0201 Architecture (MArch) n 14. ENGINEERING. – Specified fields, such as Civil (14. 0801) Nuclear (14. 2301), and Chemical (14. 0701) engineering can be identified, but must be investigated for definitional fit. n

Recommended Definition An award that requires postsecondary study of the basic body of knowledge and skills required to function as an entry-level professional in certain fields specified for reporting purposes by the U. S. Department of Education. These awards require the completion of a program that meets all of the following criteria:

Recommended Definition (cont. ) completion of the program provides the academic prerequisites necessary for licensure to practice in a recognized profession; 2. the degree is awarded after a period of study that includes at least 3 Academic Years of full-time post-baccalaureate level coursework. 1.

Comments & Feedback Jeff Weber AIR/NCES Senior Fellow c/o Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education 302 West Washington Street, Room E 201 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 232 -1329 Fax: (317) 233 -4219 E-mail: jweber@cpe. in. gov