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What is a Degree Completion Program?

November 21st, 2024

What Is a Degree Completion Program? 

Finishing a bachelor’s degree can mean more job opportunities, a higher earning potential, and greater job security. However, nearly 42 million Americans hold college credits but have never finished a degree, according to the Education Data Initiative. These Americans earn 35% less than bachelor’s degree holders.

The reasons for not finishing a bachelor’s program may include financial challenges, life changes, and academic struggles. Degree completion programs help these students finish a college degree. 

What is a degree completion program? Designed for transfer students with previous college credits, a degree completion program helps learners reach their educational goals. With popular majors like a bachelor’s in business, a degree completion program could be the right fit for you.

What Does a Degree Completion Program Entail? 

A degree completion program helps students complete their unfinished degrees. Nearly 1 in 4 first-year college students choose not to return to campus for their second year, according to the Education Data Initiative. However, the credits those students earned can still apply toward a bachelor’s degree.

Degree completion programs admit transfer students who apply their previous credits toward a bachelor’s degree. That allows students to pick up where they left off and finish a bachelor’s degree in less time. 

When transfer students apply to a degree completion program, they submit transcripts showing their previous college credits. Colleges then evaluate the transcripts to determine how many credits the student needs to complete to finish a bachelor’s degree. Students who have already earned an associate degree, for example, have already met the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Degree Completion?

Many students leave college without a degree. However, it’s never too late to earn a bachelor’s degree. Good candidates for degree completion include adult learners, service members, and those with an associate degree.

A service member can use their previous educational progress towards their degree completion. Some degree completion programs may even count their professional service experience towards their degree completion and career development.

A bachelor’s degree student wearing a backpack holds a tablet.

Service Members

Service members, both active and retired, receive educational benefits. Before joining the service, students often earn college credits, which can still apply toward a degree after they complete their service commitment. Service members also complete military education that can help them complete a college degree.

Active duty service members and veterans can apply their previous educational progress toward their degree completion. Some degree completion programs may even count their professional service experience toward their degree completion and career development.

Adult Learners

College is not just for students between 18 and 24 years old. In fact, 40% of part-time undergraduates are 25 years old or older, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Also, according to Pew Research Center and census data, 37.9% of adults aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree.

Between working and taking care of a family, adult learners may not have time to pursue a traditional degree program. This makes a degree completion program a good fit for continuing education.

Adult learners looking to complete their degrees can now take advantage of night and weekend learning classes. They can also study remotely online. This allows them to accomplish their degree completion in a way that works for their needs and schedule.

Associate Degree Holders

An associate degree requires roughly 60 semester credits, which generally takes around two years. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requires double this commitment, with 120 semester credits over a four-year span.

Individuals who have completed an associate degree may be able to transfer to a bachelor’s degree completion program and advance their degree level in around two years. An associate degree meets the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree at most degree completion programs. That means associate degree holders can focus on upper-division coursework in their major.

Transfer Students 

Transfer students can also take advantage of degree completion options. For example, students who choose to start the education process at a community college because it is much more affordable than a four-year university can complete their bachelor’s degree as transfer students.

In the fall of 2022, over 1.2 million undergraduates were transfer students, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, so transferring is a common path for many students. 

International transfer students may also be able to apply to a degree completion program in the United States. The requirements involved will vary based on the number of credits and university policies.

A community college also gives students the opportunity to get their general education requirements out of the way before they switch gears to a more specialized field of study.

Look into programs that allow you to transfer your credits between educational institutions, such as from two-year community colleges to four-year universities. This allows for faster degree completion.

How to Enroll in a Degree Completion Program

How can you enroll in a degree completion program? Start the process by considering your educational goals and researching programs. Next, review transfer credits and begin submitting applications.

Research Potential Degree Completion Programs

While there are many programs available for degree completion, it is important to find the best fit for your needs. Some of the most popular fields of study are:

  • Business and Management
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Nursing and Healthcare
  • Engineering and Technology

Decide which major is the best fit for your interests and career goals. Next, research programs that offer degree completion tracks in those majors. You should also verify that the program you select works within your schedule.

For example, if you’re interested in a BA in Psychology, make sure that your program allows you the flexibility you need. Some programs offer online-only, night, weekend, or hybrid class setups for busy working adults. You can even attend classes at a different campus while still being awarded your desired degree from the institution you want. 

Evaluate Your Current Credits

Evaluating your credits is a crucial next step. You will need to see which credits you have completed and which credits you will still need for degree completion. Depending on how many previous credits you have on record, you may be able to complete your degree in two years or less.

Transfer credits must be from an accredited school. Some degree completion programs may not accept credits from certain schools. Obtaining an associate degree ensures a smoother transition of your college credits into a degree completion program.

You will need to reach out to the registrar’s office at your previous school to request an official transcript. Verify that you have the proper number of minimum earned academic credits before you apply for your degree completion program of choice.

If a long time has passed since you attended college, some credits may not apply to your degree completion program. You will also need to see which programs will allow you to use your credits to the fullest. This ensures that your hard-earned previous credits won’t go to waste in the process.

A business manager standing at the head of a desk leads a team meeting.

In some circumstances, previous work experience may also count toward college credits. These are sometimes referred to as previous working credits and take your current working skills and history into account for particular degree completion programs. Not every program will accept these types of credits though, so it is vital to shop around for the right program that will. 

Fill Out Program Applications

When you’ve selected the right degree completion programs, it’s time to start filling out your applications. You can even fill out many of these details through online applications. 

You can also apply for financial aid during your application. A trained counselor will reach out to you if they require any further information. These counselors can guide you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

Going back to school can be a difficult decision for some. If you’re unsure, reach out for counseling and academic support. Universities with a degree completion program often have advisors who specialize in this area. 

Enrol in a Degree Completion Program at Notre Dame de Namur University

Are you ready to enroll in a degree completion program? Notre Dame de Namur University offers flexible online degree completion options to finish your bachelor’s degree. You can enroll in a fully online BS in Business Administration or a BA in Psychology. Designed for students with 45 transfer credits, these programs offer an affordable tuition rate and scholarship opportunities..

If you’re ready to start the process of degree completion, then contact our admissions department to request more information today

A bachelor’s degree student studies outside.

Sources:

Education Data Initiative, “College Dropout Rates”

National Center for Education Statistics, Characteristics of Postsecondary Students

National Center for Education Statistics, Student Enrollment: How Many Degree-Seeking Undergraduate Students Are Enrolled in Postsecondary Institutions as Transfer-In Students in the Fall?

National Center for Education Statistics, Undergraduate Degree Fields

National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Completing College National and State Reports

Pew Research Center, “10 Facts About Today’s College Graduates”

Sallie Mae, How America Completes College

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays, 2023

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