Did you know that traditionally, an associate’s degree has been referred to as a 2-year degree and bachelor’s degrees as 4- year degrees? Unfortunately, an increasing number of students are taking more time to graduate with their degree. The 2 and 4 – year degrees have become the 3 and 5 year degrees. Every year that a student spends in college, the total cost of their degree increases because of additional student fees. Additionally, taking more time to finish delays the student’s entry to the workforce to start earning money in their career. Watch this 15 to Finish Video for more information on why you should take 15 credit hours to finish your degree on time!
Completion toolkit
Math Pathways
Math Pathway Recommendations by Program of Study or Major
Beyond Financial Aid
Beyond Financial Aid is a toolkit designed to help two- and four-year institutions close attainment gaps for low-income students.
Advising
Many students need help to identify an appropriate degree program and remain on track to complete their post-secondary credential. Proactive advising provide meaningful, credible, timely support to students on selecting a program that will meet a student’s academic and career goals and provide support when they become off track in their program. The role of advising with relation to student success cannot be underemphasized.
As a primary point of contact for students on campuses, academic advisors are responsible for developing lasting relationships with students to help them navigate college and graduate. Professional advisors, faculty, and even other students serve as advisors at USG institutions, working to provide accurate, appropriate, and timely information to students as they progress through programs of study. In recent years, changing needs among students and new technology have influenced the role of advisors and highlighted a need for additional skills within the profession.
Shortening Time to Degree
Among the goals of Complete College Georgia is shortening the time to degree through programs that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school and by awarding credit for prior learning that is verified by appropriate assessment.
15-to-Finish
15 to Finish is a Complete College Georgia initiative that emphasizes the fact that students need to take 15 (or more) credits per semester to finish degrees “on time.” “On time” means associate degrees are completed in two years and bachelor’s degrees are completed in four years.
Degree completion is important because students with bachelor’s degrees can expect to earn 84% more over a lifetime than students without bachelor’s degrees. Students with “some college, no degree” do not enjoy this advantage and may have incurred substantial educational debt with little or no increased earning power.
Associate Degree You Deserve
Within the USG, it is common for students to transfer out of associate degree institutions prior to completing the requirements for the degree. In some cases, students will be successful in earning bachelor's degrees.
Go Back, Move Ahead
"Go Back. Move Ahead" is a part of Governor Nathan Deal's Complete College Georgia initiative, which launched in 2011.
Guided Pathways to Success
Guided Pathways to Success is an initiative of Complete College America to ensure that students receive guidance to complete degree programs efficiently, without taking excessive courses that will not count toward degrees.
Transforming Remediation
Nationally, and in Georgia, relatively few students who begin college requiring remediation ever complete their degrees.
As part of Complete College Georgia, Georgia aims to change these statistics so that more students who enter in Learning Support are able to complete degrees. Across the nation and within the state of Georgia, dozens of pilot projects show that by transforming the way that we do remediation, we can dramatically increase success rates in collegiate gateway courses and beyond, without compromising the integrity of the content.
