ERIC Number: ED567866
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jul
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Meta-Majors: An Essential First Step on the Path to College Completion
Waugh, Alexandra
Jobs For the Future
A growing body of evidence reveals that a central factor in low completion rates for community college students is the "cafeteria" style approach to college, which provides entering students with a dizzying array of choices and little guidance on navigating those choices. A poor decision on which classes to take can cost community college students a significant amount of time and potentially mean the difference between earning a credential or degree and stopping or dropping out. Meta-majors are a programmatic response to these findings. Designed with the end (college completion) in mind, and using student's interests as a starting point, meta-majors provide structure and narrow choices to support student success. This paper seeks to scale the meta-majors conversation in the field by exploring the concept looking at two in-depth examples from colleges in Ohio and Florida, offering a set of design principles, and posing the key questions to help guide colleges' thinking. Contains endnotes.
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Graduation Rate, Two Year College Students, School Holding Power, Academic Persistence, Academic Advising, Majors (Students), Case Studies, Program Implementation, Guidance Programs, Design Requirements, Educational Principles, Career Guidance
Jobs for the Future. 88 Broad Street 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Tel: 617-728-4446; Fax: 617-728-4857; e-mail: info@jff.org; Web site: http://www.jff.org
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Jobs for the Future
Identifiers - Location: Florida (Miami); Ohio
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Author Affiliations: N/A


