Developing Associate in Arts Program Maps to Streamline Student Success

Client: Northwest Florida State College 

Engagement Type: Policy Research and Development  

Situation: 

Academic program maps are vital for guiding community college students through the courses they need to achieve their goals efficiently. At Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC), strong maps were developed for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, effectively aligning coursework with career paths. Based on the usefulness of the program maps, NWFSC identified that AA degree students needed similar support. Unlike CTE pathways, AA programs require careful selection of prerequisites and electives, which, without guidance, can lead to delays and unnecessary courses. To address this, NWFSC aimed to create enhanced advising resources and clear program maps for AA students, ensuring they have a structured path to success while minimizing barriers. 

Approach: 

Through an engagement, TSG Advisors assisted Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) in creating guided pathways for top transfer majors. The process began with a detailed analysis of AA students, examining their declared intended transfer majors and leveraging data from the National Student Clearinghouse to identify their actual transfer majors. Using these insights, a term-by-term course sequence was proposed to align with both institutional and state requirements. The sequence included general education courses, common prerequisites, and recommendations for elective courses, providing students with a clear and structured pathway to successfully transfer to their intended programs. 

Result:  

TSG Advisors developed and delivered 16 AA program maps, accompanied by implementation support to ensure their successful adoption. This included tailored recommendations for faculty engagement to foster alignment and collaboration in effectively supporting students through these newly designed pathways.