NAFSA Commissioned Research
Landscape of Pathway Partnerships in the U.S.
Principal Researcher:
Rahul Choudaha, PhD, DrEducation, LLC ([email protected])
Manager:
Joann Ng Hartmann, Senior Director, IEM-ISS Services, NAFSA ([email protected])
nafsa.org/pathwayprograms/
Why this research? Why now?
• The process of considering and implementing pathway partnerships has implications for campus stakeholders in different roles, including recruitment and admissions, academic services, and related support services.
• Members from diverse higher education institutions can make informed choices and enhance the impact of their international enrollment strategies
• “With this research, our intention is to identify current models and key factors in decision-making to advance the field of knowledge for the benefit of our members. This research does not make comparisons amongst providers.”
What is not covered in this research?
× No comparison amongst provider
× No evaluation of specific partnership
Approach
Phase 1: Secondary data
• Review of research literature, news articles, websites of pathway providers and various data sources [Open Doors (2015), NCES CollegeNavigator (Fall 2014), U.S. News Rankings (2015) and Carnegie Classification (2015)] to
> Develop a working definition and typology of pathway partnerships
> Identify characteristics of institutions partnering with pathway providers
• 45 higher education institutions partnering with eight pathway providers
• Share the summary at NAFSA Denver conference
Approach
Phase 2: Primary data
• Focus groups in Denver and subsequent survey of relevant NAFSA members to examine the complexity and diversity of decision-making processes related to pathway partnerships by taking a deeper dive into rationales, considerations and experiences of international educators.
• Release final report in Fall 2016
Working Definition
• “Pathway providers are private third-party entities partnering with institutions to recruit international students and offer English-language preparation with academic coursework applicable toward graduation requirements.”
Typology
• Pathway partnerships come with wide variations. Here are two broad models differing in terms of extent of cost and revenue-sharing.
• Under “Reimbursement” model pathway provider invests and institution is reimbursed for expenses. Under “Joint Venture” model institution shares the costs, risks and corresponding rewards.
Two Models Reimbursement Joint Venture
Start-up Cost None Shared
Academic Delivery Shared Institution
Time Commitment Medium term Long term
Staffing Pathway hires Institution hires
Enrollment Goals Medium High
Revenue-sharing Low High
Institutional Characteristics
• Location: 44% are located in three states: NY (8), MA (8), FL (4)
• Public/Private: 53% are public institutions
• Basic Carnegie Classification: 51% are “Doctoral Universities”
• Median Tuition and Fees (non-resident for public institutions): US$ 29,700
• US News Ranking: 56% do not have “National Ranking”, (Middle 80% Range of “National Ranking”: 89-168)
Enrollment Profile (Fall 2014)
Combined enrollment at 45 institutions.
• Total Enrollment: 704,408 (Median=12,856)
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 523,097 (Median =7,706)
• Undergraduate as a % of Total Enrollment: 74%
• Undergraduate Admitted = 72% (Median)
Combined international enrollment at 45 institutions including pathway partnership and direct enrollment.
• International Enrollment: 56,538 (Median=642)
• 5.8% of all international students in the US
• 65% of all international students are in 10 institutions
Questions/Comments
nafsa.org/pathwayprograms/
Survey in SummerReport in Fall
Principal Researcher: Rahul Choudaha ([email protected])
Manager: Joann Ng Hartmann ([email protected])
NAFSA e-Learning Seminar: Pathway Programs: Key Considerations and Strategies
Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (EST)http://bit.ly/PathWAYSw