Study on the Need for Beauty Convergence Education through Analyzing Learners' Perceptions of Micro Degree

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze learner perceptions based on the experience of operating a Micro Degree curriculum for the first time and to use it as a reference for more effective operation of future courses, as well as to explore the possibility of using Micro Degree as a competency-based education for beauty-related majors in four-year universities in Korea and to propose the need for beauty convergence education. We analyzed the background of the establishment of the ‘Digital Healthcare Consultant’ major and the trends of related industries in order to foster human resources tailored to the needs of society. We also conducted an FGI with students who took the first course, ‘Personalized Healthcare’. The results show that in the era of digital transformation and new normal, the global beauty and health industry structure is changing and the paradigm and system of beauty and health convergence education are being reorganized. In conclusion, we would like to suggest the need for beauty convergence education as follows. First, it is necessary to innovate and operate the curriculum flexibly by continuously monitoring the changing beauty industry scene. Second, in the era of digital transformation, it is necessary to cultivate digital beauty convergence talents. Third, the digital healthcare industry also requires manpower that can collaborate to provide customized services to customers, so it is necessary to pay attention to fostering convergent talents that can combine beauty and healthcare.