An undergraduate student will learn that the journey towards a degree involves a great deal of sacrifice. Sacrifice could be in the form of giving up sleep to do coursework, trading social activities for work, or even making lifestyle changes in order to pinch pennies as college kids are always short on cash. College is demanding and every undergrad student is chasing the same piece of paper that opens the door to future opportunity – a diploma. However, even though graduation is such a common goal, surprisingly few people know what it takes to actually achieve it. Many acquire this knowledge only after they’ve spent more time and money than truly necessary to reach their destination.
For instance, regardless of major, all undergraduate students need at least 128 (some require more) credits to graduate. Breaking that down, a student needs to average 16 credits per semester to earn their degree in four years. 16 is a strange credit number as a course is traditionally three credit hours. Case in point, a common five-course semester schedule comes out to 15 credit hours – one short of what a student needs to average every semester to graduate in four years without taking extra courses over the summer. Students are also bound by certain course requirements. General education courses (non-major courses) hover right around 50 credit hours and must be completed by all students regardless of their major.
Katie Hill, Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising explains the importance of planning out a graduation timeline. “Every year students are invited to stop by academic advising for their official class appointment (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) and at this meeting we go over a questionnaire that each student fills out and we also complete an unofficial audit going over a student’s remaining requirements, including electives,” she says. Students can even explore opportunities to add additional majors and minors to their degree.
Where it gets tricky is trying to evaluate everything that must be completed for a specific major. Some majors are relatively small regarding the number of hours needed to complete it. For instance, a psychology major is only 33 credit hours (per the 2015-16 CUC Course Catalog) while a Theatre Administration major is double that at 66 hours in addition to general education courses that must be taken by everyone.
The Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising can also be extremely useful for students who have ambitions of graduating early. Graduating in less time than the traditional four years (8 semesters) can definitely be a realistic possibility at CUC. “It is completely possible to graduate a semester or sometimes a year early depending on if you enter CUC with previously earned credits,” explains Hill. “Hypothetically, if you do not have any previously earned credits you could still graduate early by maxing out your credits each semester (taking 18 credits) and/or by taking summer classes.” She also lays out a realistic plan for early graduation that involves taking 32 credit hours during freshman year and 36 during Junior and Senior year. This in combination with taking a single 3-credit class every summer after beginning college would set a student up with one final 15-credit fall semester during their senior year that would shave off that entire last spring semester, meaning an early exit.
Hill also suggests the CLEP exam as an alternative method that students can utilize to graduate early, “We accept CLEP credit, which is a test a student can take to show proficiency in a subject area in order to earn credit for a course or courses. A student would need to complete a transfer credit approval before taking a CLEP exam or course at another university in order to ensure the credits will be accepted,” she explains.
Another hurdle that students must clear is that, especially at CUC, many departments are extremely small. As a result of small departments, many 3000 and 4000 level classes are offered on a limited basis. Many are not offered every semester and some aren’t even offered every year. Academic advisors, with the help of Faculty Advisors, Chairs, and Deans, know when classes are offered and can communicate a strategy that fits every student’s individual needs. They will assure that the degree process is completed in the most efficient way possible. “[Advisors] are here to assist you if you do run into an issue where a course you need is not offered. We can help in trying to find other options to complete that course whether it be taking it at Dominican, transferring it in from another college, appealing for a substitution, or finding alternatives to complete the requirement,” Hill adds.
Finally, Hill urges students to keep an eye out for the Bi-Weekly Advisor in their student email for helpful information and deadlines. “We also offer group advising sessions and each advisor sends out emails to their students with important reminders,” she explains. “Please read your emails and respond when necessary.” Every student has a unique academic situation, and all are encouraged to stop by Undergraduate Academic Advising for walk-ins every Friday 8-4 in AD155LL or call 708-209-3256 to make an appointment.
