Finish in Four

Finish in Four Basics “Finish in Four” nationwide campaign- Complete College America The “Finish in Four” campaign began at USD in Fall 2017. Students are encouraged to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year to graduate in 4 years.

Finish in Four Preparations USD implemented the following measures to prepare for this change. Mandatory advising required for all undergraduate students. Each major program has a semester-by-semester 4-year plan that shows the path to completion. Students and advisors work together to choose the right 15 credits each semester; we are working to change the institutional culture around full-time enrollment and challenge the perception that students cannot handle the extra credit load. We encourage our students to commit to their coursework. Professional advisors work to provide resources for students to complete the college level English and math within the first 30 credit hours.

Finish in Four Campaign Finish in Four Web Site Finish in Four Campaign

Finish in Four – Initial Results Four-year graduation rates for all bachelor’s-seeking students entering in 2012 are up seven percentage points (from 33% to 40%) compared to those entering 2009 Four-year graduation rates for Hispanic bachelor’s-seeking students have increased from 0 % to 30% comparing the 2009 entering cohort to that of 2012 Four-year graduation rates for American Indian bachelor’s-seeking students have increased from 6% to 13% comparing 2009 entering cohort to that of 2012 Three-year persistence rates (i.e., graduated or still enrolled) for all bachelor’s-seeking students entering in 2013 are up six percentage points (from 63% to 69%) compared to students entering in 2009

USD Next Steps Identify existing processes that contribute to “Finish in Four” and make sure they are appropriately branded. Expand training in “Finish in Four” procedures from professional advisors who work with students early in their academic careers to faculty advisors who interact more with those students later in their academic careers. Identify and implement processes to get students who have fallen behind back on track to graduate in four years. Expand the “Finish in Four” marketing campaign.

Questions?