AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ACADEMIC SYSTEMS ADOPTED BY PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

This article presents an exploratory study about the academic classes systems adopted in Brazil by private higher education institutions. The objective is to analyze each system, organized by grade or subject, identifying advantages and disadvantages. The decision for a particular system directly impacts on strategies for attracting and retaining students, the capacity to respond to market requirements for educational services, and the institution’s administrative structure. To achieve the paper’s objective, we undertook an exploratory qualitative research, through individual interviews with professionals from private institutions of higher education, aiming to capture the perception of the respective regimes in the following analytical dimensions: Administrative, Pedagogical, Student, and Competitive. The results indicate the adoption of the system organized by subject as trend among Brazilian institutions. This work intends to assist the decision-making process of institutions that constantly debate which system better responds to its challenges, and also intends to encourage the academic community to develop alternative models that overcome the current limitations.