Clear the Path

While Michigan wants far greater numbers of its residents to earn associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, our goals for educational attainment must reach higher. Across the nation, talent centers that bring together large numbers of advanced degree holders are enjoying the highest rates of economic growth. Whether they are in university labs and classrooms or corporate research and development centers, these are the people who are advancing the frontiers of knowledge and fueling explosive economic growth. To ensure Michigan’s economic future, we need ever-increasing numbers of Michigan residents to reach the highest pinnacles of education. At the same time, Michigan must attract the best and the brightest from around the country and the world to our campuses and workplaces.

RECOMMENDATION

Increase the Number of Postbaccalaureate Professionals

• Michigan businesses and foundations must create a significant endowment to fund scholarships for Michigan students to pursue postbaccalaureate degrees at our higher education institutions, with priority for key disciplines (e.g., science, engineering).
• Michigan’s higher education and business community must partner to greatly expand internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. Such efforts should use public or privately funded stipends to create incentives for students working in emerging fields.
• Michigan’s universities must expand dual enrollment programs to allow undergraduate students to move efficiently and seamlessly to postbaccalaureate degree achievement.

(Economic Benefits Work Group rec. 6)

Web Links

• Professional Science Master’s Degree, Bioinformatics, Eastern Michigan University
• Professional Science Master’s Degree, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Grand Valley State University
• Professional Science Master’s Degree, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University
• Professional Science Master’s Degree, Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University
• Professional Science Master’s Degree, Department of Zoology, Michigan State University
• Professional Master’s Degree, Bioinformatics, University of Michigan