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OUR CHALLENGES

 LOW GRADUATION RATES  The majority of public colleges graduate less than 50% of their students in six years.

EXCESS HOURS  Most students graduate with more hours than required for their degree and many with 25% more than required, spending unnecessary time and money.

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THE SOLUTION

Academic Maps

POLICIES ADVISING COMMUNICATION

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KEY ACADEMIC POLICIES

 Require early declaration of interest area   Require every student without a major to attend a “choosing a major” workshop and have a major selected by 30 hours.

 Establish Milestones for each term (key courses, factors, or events that must be completed by a specific time in order to stay on track).

 Rationalize general education requirements.

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KEY ADVISING POLICIES

  MONITOR STUDENT REGISTRATION AND GRADES FOR MILESTONE COURSES.

 EVERY STUDENT “OFF-MAP” MUST BE MANDATED TO MEET WITH AN ADVISER IN PERSON (or electronically).

 STUDENTS MUST CHANGE MAJORS IF THEY ARE “OFF-MAP” FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS.

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KEY COMMUNICATION

 EARNING A DEGREE IS A FOUR YEAR PROCESS.

MAPS MUST BE PART OF EVERY COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS AND FACULTY.

 THEY MUST BE EASY TO FIND ON THE WEBSITE.

 MAPS MUST BE INTEGRATED INTO EVERY ASPECT OF THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE.

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Steps and guiding principles for designing maps

1. Begin in Term 1, assuming student has no earned college credit 2. Start with English and Math in the first term 3. Complete the major requirements 4. Fill in with general education requirements (look for courses that satisfy major and gen-ed requirements)     

Principles to keep in mind when constructing maps:

 Frontload general education requirements Allow room for electives in later semesters Use specific courses when required (otherwise, use category or list of courses) Double check that total hours add up to hours required A summer term may be inserted if needed to graduate in 8 terms Do not involve faculty except for approval of the final map 5. Identify milestone courses (critical courses for timely progress) ©2013 U.S. Education Delivery Institute 6

Academic maps: four essential components – the narrative, sample schedule, milestones and employment opportunities

The narrative explains the use of academic maps and any specific information about degree requirements, including admissions requirements The sample schedule outlines which courses should be taken in which specific term in order to satisfy all

requirements

The milestones identify critical courses for timely progress and the last semester in which they can be completed for on-time graduation

List of Representative Job Titles and Potential Employers

©2013 U.S. Education Delivery Institute 7

PLACE MAPS TOGETHER TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO BROWSE AND COMPARE

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MAPS BENEFITS

  STUDENTS SAVE TIME AND MONEY  AVOID UNNECESSARY COURSES  REDUCE TIME TO DEGREE  ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING 9

Academic maps and associated policies effectively reduced the number of students with excess hours and improved graduation rate Year

2000 2006 2012

% of Students with Excess Hours*

29.3% 9.6% 4.5%

Graduation Rate

70.8% ------ 74.9% *=greater than 120% of degree requirements ©2013 U.S. Education Delivery Institute 10

MAPS BENEFIT INSTITUTIONS

  DEPARTMENTS KNOW THE NUMBER OF MAJORS AND THEIR PROGRESS TOWARD A DEGREE     DEPARTMENTS CAN PREDICT STUDENT NEED FOR COURSES CLASSROOMS CAN BE SCHEDULED OPTIMALLY FACULTY CAN PLAN FOR THE FUTURE ADVISORS CAN BE EFFECTIVE UTILIZED 11