Miami University’s Polytechnic Initiative

Miami’s polytechnic model blends applied learning, technical education, and industry collaboration with durable skills in communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work in teams.

For example, in Miami’s polytechnic education model, an Engineering Technology student might use their lab time to test a device that helps reduce energy use at a local library.

Higher education is facing some challenges right now, including a diminished perception of the ROI of a college degree and a decrease in the population of high school graduates. With the polytechnic shift, we are getting ahead of these challenges by differentiating ourselves as an innovative, forward-thinking, career-focused educational pathway. By working directly with employers and industry leaders, we will give our graduates better experience and more career opportunities.

The polytechnic model will:

• Prepare students to solve current and emerging challenges by combining critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration with early, hands-on experience and career-focused applied learning.
• Address today’s workforce needs.
• Helping more students earn a degree, advance their careers, and increase their earning potential.

Significant change requires significant investment, and funding MiamiTHRIVE initiatives is a top priority for Miami University. The polytechnic model will allow Miami to secure a return on that significant investment by:

• Working directly with employers and industry leaders to make data-based determinations about programming to help ensure that these programs are in demand.
• Differentiating Miami University in a crowded marketplace.
• Opening up opportunities for a wider range of funding sources, including grants, partnerships, and government dollars.

The degree students earn will still say Miami University, like Regionals students get now.

Our current tuition rate is one of our key differentiators. Though it’s too early to determine exact numbers, we anticipate that this model will allow us to open up doors to future revenue models and sources besides net tuition revenue, minimizing costs to students while maximizing their outcomes and career potential.

Our liberal arts foundation is one of our greatest strengths at Miami University, and we will continue to help students build the essential, durable career readiness competencies that employers value, such as critical thinking, communication, leadership, teamwork and professionalism through this unique liberal arts-grounded polytechnic education model. Throughout this transition we are going to evaluate all of our programs to make sure we have academic offerings that are based on student and industry demand and support a sustainable financial model.

Ten committees made up of Miami faculty and staff met to address opportunity areas identified in the MiamiTHRIVE strategic planning process. A committee, which included several Regionals faculty and staff members, researched and proposed the polytechnic model as a way to meet the goals of MiamiTHRIVE. It was approved by Miami University leadership, and now we are continuing the initial planning stage of this project.

In this model it is real-world learning connected directly to industry needs and outcomes. Students apply their knowledge by doing meaningful work in professional or realistic workplace settings such as co-ops, internships, client-sponsored projects, field experiences, or industry labs. The focus is on producing results, using professional tools and standards, and gaining career-relevant experience.

First, we wanted to bring staff and faculty into the fold to make sure that they have an opportunity to give feedback during the early planning stages. Now, we are expanding these communications with students, stakeholders, and the larger community. This process will involve a continuous feedback loop with our campus community. If you have feedback you’d like to share, please email polytechnic@MiamiOH.edu.

This initiative is still in the planning stages, but in-person courses will be held at our Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub and on the Hamilton campus. Our partnerships will start in Butler County but could very well expand to other regions. The Middletown campus’ repositioning efforts will continue, and the details of that effort are still being worked out.

Yes! With this polytechnic model and other MiamiTHRIVE initiatives, we aim to enhance our catalog of degree program alternatives, including certificates, Microcredentials, and professional education, as well as explore our curriculum timelines, modality, and structures.

We are committed to providing a vibrant student life for our students while prioritizing their success. This is also an opportunity to reimagine what student life can be and plan new and innovative ways to incorporate co-curricular experiences in the lives of our students.

Though we do not anticipate any reduction in the opportunities available to any of our students due to this shift, it’s imperative that these populations do not experience any unforeseen lapses in their educational pathways. We will continue to offer the excellent student support services that we offer now and work closely with appropriate campus partners to ensure their continued success.

We will continue to offer and grow our online offerings, and we see online learning as an opportunity to pursue untapped audiences that can benefit from this career-focused educational model.

We are going to engage stakeholders across the university to implement this shift, and through collaboration and feedback, work out the details of this effort.