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
(a meta-major) or major.
 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
POLICIES

 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)
5. Identify
milestone
courses
(critical
courses for
timely
progress)
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
©2013 U.S. Education Delivery Institute
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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
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PLACE MAPS TOGETHER TO
ALLOW STUDENTS TO BROWSE
AND COMPARE

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MAPS BENEFITS
STUDENTS

 STUDENTS SAVE TIME AND MONEY
 AVOID UNNECESSARY COURSES
 REDUCE TIME TO DEGREE
 ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THEY
ARE GOING
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Academic maps and associated policies
effectively reduced the number of students with
excess hours and improved graduation rate
Year
% of Students with
Excess Hours*
Graduation Rate
2000
29.3%
70.8%
2006
9.6%
-------
2012
4.5%
74.9%
*=greater than 120% of degree requirements
©2013 U.S. Education Delivery Institute
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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
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