Local colleges, including Slippery Rock University and Butler County Community College, analyze labor market trends when designing college programs to prepare students for ever-changing workforce needs.

As cultures and technology continue to shift, education evolves with them, according to curriculum leaders at the Butler County colleges.

“Both from a local and a regional perspective … we’re able to identify which industries are growing, to learn where the job opportunities are … (the data) helps us to understand which degrees or certifications lead to a specific career path,” Belinda Richardson, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at BC3, said. “It aligns not only with what the workforce goals are, with the student career aspirations.”

One industry in continuous demand is health care, though it often requires more than an associate or bachelor’s degree.

As a result, colleges across the U.S. have introduced bundled degree programs, wherein students combine undergraduate and graduate courses into one path.

“A good example of this (trend) is our 3+3 Physical Therapy accelerated program,” Michael May, SRU’s vice president for enrollment management, said. “A student can earn a bachelor’s degree in a number of undergraduate majors … and move directly into our doctorate program in physical therapy.

“A student may complete seven years of schooling in six years, saving both time and tuition.”

SRU is adding an online 1+2+1 nursing program in the fall that will collaborate with other institutions.

“These programs are aligned with regional workforce needs and will provide our students with meaningful, in-demand career opportunities,” May said.

BC3 and SRU also have added courses relating to other aspects of health care.

“(BC3 has) massage therapy … we offer medical billing and coding,” Richardson said. “We have a new program … which is our health care sciences program, and that’s designed to support a number of potential careers in health care.”

Over the last decade, SRU has added undergraduate programs such as health care administration and management, and graduate programs such as physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, public health and music therapy.

Schools also respond to industry shortages, with teaching as a prime example. BC3 and SRU are both known for educational certification courses that align with state standards.

“We even offer a practice preparation course, which is designed to help students who are entering into teaching and they have to pass their license exam. We do preparation to help students do that as well,” Richardson said. “We do that for all schools, any student who is interested in taking that.”

Technological development is another factor that has changed the career landscape, requiring schools to build technology-related curriculum.

BC3 and SRU have added cybersecurity programs in recent years, matching a growing need to fight cybercrime. Both schools also offer courses in website development, information technology and other aspects of computer science.

STEM programs are on a national rise as well, reflected in the diverse courses offered at each institution.

SRU has added new programs in civil engineering, mechanical engineering and more, while developing existing natural science curriculums. BC3 also continues to grow an array of scientific coursework, including meteorology and biology.

Even creative fields have been affected by increased access to technology — video production and graphic design courses are now commonplace in Butler County.

Technological shifts affect not only programs themselves, but the way they are taught.

“We will see continued development of online programs and asynchronous course delivery, providing access to learners who, until recently, were excluded because of geographic or work/life constraints,” May said.

As a result, U.S. colleges work to help students with everyday computer skills. SRU requires all students to pass a computer competency test or take a course on the subject. At BC3, any student taking online courses has to go through a technology orientation, and it is also recommended for those who attend school in person.

“One thing I can say BC3 is doing is branching off into learning more about artificial intelligence and how that can be used in the classroom,” Richardson said.

Richardson mentioned that BC3 does not support plagiarism, but recognizes artificial intelligence as a topic in higher education and a skill that is potentially useful to students.

“(A) recurring topic nationally is the use of AI in academia, and if it is viewed as cheating, plagiarism, a number of those things,” Richardson continued. “(A professor) did a class, and in this class, he introduced AI as a tool … we called it a case study … learning more about AI now will prepare students to enter into a workforce that seems to be embracing the use of AI.”

Programs not only involve subjects themselves, but skills employers are looking for. These can be influenced by shifts in cultural values.

“Communication skills and the ability to work within a diverse team setting are extremely important characteristics in the 21st century,” May said.

As a result, SRU has added a focus on human cultures and diversity to their general education, or “rock studies,” roster in recent years.

Schools determine necessary skills through labor market data, then integrate them into a curriculum.

U.S. institutions also have trended toward job search skills. SRU requires many students to learn these skills in the classroom. It also provides career services.

“(Departments) take care of the major skills, (the career office) will take care of the transferable skills,” John Rindy, assistant vice president for career and academic progress at SRU, said. “(Students) come (to the career office) to build specific skills, and then we’ll make sure they have a LinkedIn and resumes and cover letters and interview practice.”

Departments at BC3 and SRU enlist a number of items to keep programs in line with national standards. Regular assessments are performed by fellow faculty and students themselves, which is on trend with other schools.

“Our faculty are truly experts in their field … they stay on top of professional development to make sure they stay current,” Richardson said. “Our faculty are the individuals who are designing the curriculum, and they’re making sure that students learn development skills … the ones who are working with students directly every day, they are the ones who are teaching. In many cases, they’re providing hands-on training.”