Demographics of students enrolled in post-secondary credit certificate programs in selected public Georgia institutions with a follow-up survey of certificate students at Dalton College

This descriptive study examined the characteristics of students enrolled in less-than one-year certificate programs taken for college credit. The investigation was performed using enrollment data from four University System of Georgia colleges. The remaining data was collected through surveying a group of 400 certificate students at Dalton College.

The demographic profile generated showed certificate students in the study to be predominantly female, Caucasian, receiving financial aid, attending school part-time, and working 30 hours or more per week. Approximately 29% had a GED, rather than a high school diploma. Over 28% answered affirmatively when queried about previous post-secondary experience, although there was a no response rate of 59%. More students were receiving the Georgia HOPE Scholarship than any other type of financial award.

Almost one fourth of the certificate students surveyed believed that certificate programs offered a good beginning to gain confidence in order to complete a longer degree program, while 84% believed they had the ability to finish a longer program. Eight-eight percent reported that they would feel better about themselves after successful program completion, regardless of their employment status. Although getting a job in a different field was the choice of 71% of those surveyed, participation in further education was anticipated by 46%.

Beginning in a program of less-than one year in length appears to be a nonthreatening starting place for students who might not otherwise have attended college.