The document discusses curriculum pathways and a first year experience program at a college. It provides details on what curriculum pathways are, why they are important for student success, and how the college has expanded the number of pathways available across various disciplines. It also outlines a new student life skills requirement for first time college students to complete within their first year, including a one credit seminar course. Finally, it shares how curriculum pathways will be implemented beginning in fall 2014, including updates to existing pathways and the addition of many new pathways in various fields of study.

1. Curriculum Pathways
Student Life Skills
&
First Year Experience
Senior Advisor Training
December 1, 2014

2. What is a Curriculum Pathway?
• FOCUSED AND INTEGRATED SET OF COURSES
AND SEQUENCES DESIGNED TO INCREASE
TRANSFER SUCCESS AND DEGREE COMPLETION.
• A.A. PATHWAY(S) INCLUDE ALL PRE-REQUISITES
FOR TRANSFER AS A JUNIOR TO A
BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM AT MDC OR ANOTHER
INSTITUTION.
• A.S. PATHWAY(S) INCLUDE ALL REQUIREMENTS
TO ENTER OCCUPATION OF TRANSFER WITH
JUNIOR STATUS RELATED BACCALAUREATE
PROGRAMS.

3. Why Academic Pathways are Important
 Map academic goals and progress
 Connect academic and student services
 Guide course planning, selection and
sequencing, semester by semester
 Provide continuity and consistency in
advising, coaching and mentoring
 Prompt students to complete math,
English, FYE/SLS, and other general
education requirements early on—in
sequence (ideally in first year at MDC).
 Prompt students who fail or withdraw
from a course to take it again
immediately in the next semester.

4. Benefits of using Pathways
 Students with clear curriculum pathways stay
motivated, take fewer excess credits and
complete their programs of study quicker and
more effectively.
 This is even more important as financial aid
eligibility is being decreased by federal and state
governments.

5. Pathway Implementation: Fall 2014-1
 Updates to original 4 pathways
 Biology
 Business
 Criminal Justice
 Psychology
 5 new pathways in Social
Sciences
 International Relations
 Political Science
 History
 Anthropology
 Sociology

6. Pathway Implementation: 2014-1
 4 New Pathways in Arts and
Humanities
 Art
 Philosophy
 Music
 Theater/Drama
 10 new additional pathways in
 Architecture
 Early Childhood (3) and
Exceptional Student
Education
 Hospitality Administration
and Tourism Management
 Interior Design
 Mass
Communications/Journalism
 Mathematics

7. Pathway Implementation: 2014-1
 14 new pathways in Allied Health and Nursing
 Health Information Management
 Dental Hygiene
 Diagnostic Medical Sonography
 Nuclear Medicine
 Physical Therapy Assistant
 Radiography
 Respiratory Care
 Opticianry
 Vet Tech
 Physician Assistant
 Nursing Generic
 Nursing Transitional
 Clinical Lab Sciences
 Histologic Technology

8. New for Fall 2014-1: Student Life Skills Requirement
SLS 1106
(FYE):
1 credit course for students with college-level
course load; must be satisfied by 16th
college credit benchmark
SLS 1505:
1 credit course for students with1
developmental course
SLS 1510:
3 credit course for students with 2 or more
developmental courses

9. Benefits of SLS1106
 Exposure to MDC pathways
 Career exploration with career experts
 Completion of IEP’s explore and declare transfers intitutions
 Develop study skills: test-taking, note-taking, learning styles,
etc.
 Exposure to support services: tutoring, advisement, ACCESS,
financial aid, scholarships, etc.
 Real-time application of college readiness & skills

10. SLS 1106: First Year Experience
• Students required to complete this course, must be:
• First Time In College students beginning in Fall 2014-1
• College-ready (no developmental courses)
• A.A. (Associate in Arts) degree-seeking
• Take the course in the first semester

11. SLS 1106: First Year Experience
 Students NOT required to complete this course:
 Honors College, School for Advanced Studies, Dual
Enrollees, NWSA
 Previously completed SLS1510, SLS1505, SLS1401, IDS1044,
IDS1044, SLS1502, SLS1125
 Transfer students who have taken a similar course and are
are beyond the 29th college level credit
 A.S. (Associate in Science) degree-seeking

12. Transferability
This course is a transferable one-credit course and may be placed in Area
07 or elective credits of the degree audit.

13. Course Competencies
The student will demonstrate knowledge of
college matriculation processes and procedures
by:
The student will demonstrate utilization of effective
study skills by:
 Demonstrating knowledge of registration
procedures, degree requirements, advisement
services, financial aid, and the Standards of
Academic Progress
 Identifying resources available at the College for
successful academic progress
 Understanding attendance and grading policies,
and student rights and responsibilities
 Describing and applying the registration
procedures including degree audit, adding and
dropping courses, official withdrawal policies,
transcripts
 Assessing his/her personal learning
style and study skills
 Applying effective study skills
 Developing strategies for critical
thinking, memory enhancement, and
test-taking
 Identifying useful time management
systems
 Applying knowledge of efficient note-taking
skills, including active listening,
organizing, and recording

14. Course Competencies
Competency Three: The student will increase
self-awareness and improve career decision-making
by:
 Identifying his/her personal characteristics
including interests and abilities
 Evaluating and comparing various career
options and their requirements
 Constructing a career plan that matches
personal characteristics to career
requirements

15. SLS Faculty at MDC
Hialeah: Evelyn Diaz
Homestead: Jessyca Perez
InterAmerican: Miriam Frances Abety
Kendall: Kimberly Coffman, Vellisse Grimes, Deborah Powell
North: Caridad Castro, Valerie De Angelis, Arlen Garcia, Cara Gluskoter, Sheryl Hartman, Nora Hendrix, Lottie
McMillan, Ginny Peterson-Tenant
Wolfson: Eric Belokon, Jocelyne Legrand, James Rosado
West: Trinidad Arguelles
Discipline Dean: Dr. Carol Tulikangas, Discipline Chair: Dr. Victor Okafor

16. What’s New for Fall 2014? (continued)
Foreign language requirement for AA students:
 Requirement is 8 credit hours or equivalent
 Required for both AA degree AND admission to baccalaureate
programs in Florida
 Students can satisfy requirement with proof of proficiency via
CLEP OR 2 consecutive years of successful foreign language
completion in high school
 Students who satisfy foreign language requirement choose the next
course listed on pathway to complete semester load

17. What’s New for Fall 2014? (continued)
 Some baccalaureate programs require additional course work
beyond 60 credits for junior standing
 These additional courses are listed in a separate section below the 60
credit hours on the templates
 As long as they meet FLVC requirements for baccalaureate
admissions
 For questions go to:
Florida Virtual College, Common Pre-Requisite Manual
http://ss.flvc.org/flvc/portal/Home_Page/Student%20Services/College_Tran
sfer_Center/common_Preqrequiste_Manual

18. General Education Requirements
 Communications – 6 credits
 Oral Communications – 3 credits
 Humanities – 6 credits
 (Select 3 credits from Group A & 3 credits from Group B)
 Behavioral/Social Sciences – 6 credits
 (Select 3 credits from Group A & 3 credits from Group B)
 3 credits at 1000 level, 3 credits at 2000 level
 Natural Sciences – 6 credits
 (Select 3 credits from Group A & 3 credits from Group B)
 Mathematics – 6 credits
 General Elective – 3 credits

19. How to Use the Pathway Template
 All pathways follow the same format
 All AA pathways reflect the 60 credits required
for completion of degree
 Slight differences between the AA and AS
pathways
 Students SHOULD take the courses listed on the
pathways
IN THESE SEQUENCES
 Best prepare students for further study in
transfer major at transfer institution
 Important to discuss with students what their
academic and professional goals are, and
intended transfer programs.

20. Excerpt from Sample Template
A.A. Pathway to a Major in [Discipline]
My Academic Plan (MAP) - Two-Year Plan for Full-time Students
Semester 1 - First Year
Course Number Course Title Credit
Hours
Notes/Learning Outcomes Interdisciplinary
Recommendations
Prerequisites/
Corequisites
Total Credit Hours 0
Semester 2 - First Year
Course Number Course Title Credit
Hours
Notes/Learning Outcomes Interdisciplinary
Recommendations
Prerequisites/
Corequisites

21. AA Degree: Pathway to a Major in (insert major) - effective Fall 2014
My Academic Plan (MAP) - Two-Year Plan for Full-time - COLLEGE READY Students
Semester 1 - First Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
ENC 1101 ** English Compositio n 1 3 This inf ormat ion wi l l be updat ed as
soon as possible . Placement by Scholastic
Assessment Test (SAT) verbal student score;
American College Testing (ACT) English subtest
score; Computer Placement Test (CPT) or PERT
English subtestscore; or ENC0025 with a grade
of "S" .
Mathematics
(Gen Ed)
[No te 1]
M at hemat ics- 6 Credi t s Required
MAC* MAP* MAS* MGF*
MAD 2104 Discrete Mathemat ics
MTG 2204 Geomet ry for Educators
QMB 2100 Basic Business Stat istics
STA 2023 Stat istical Methods
* Any course with this pref ix excluding
labs.
This course fulf ills 3 of 6 semester hours of the Communicat ions General Educat ion and Gordon Rule Writ ing requirement . (1, 3, 4)
3 This course fulf ills 3 of the 6 semester hours of the
Mathemat ics General Educat ion requirement .
(LOs based on course selected)
MAC 1105 - College Algebra
MAC 1140 - Pre-Calculus Algebra
MGF 1106 Math for Liberal Arts 1
OR Enrol l in t he highest level mat h f or which you are
el igible and/ or f or which you have complet ed t he
prerequisi t es.
Check catalog based on course chosen
ht tps:/ / sisvsr.mdc.edu/catalog/
SLS 1106
[No te 2]
First Year Experience Seminar 1 SLS 1106 (1 credit ) needs to be taken by the 16th earned credit for AA
degree First Time in College (FTIC) students.
Elect ive 3
Elect ive 3
13
T o tal Credit Ho urs
Semester 2 - First Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
ENC 1102 ** English Compositio n II 3 Prerequisite: ENC1101
Mathematics
(Gen Ed)
[No te 1]
M at hemat i cs–6 C r ed i t s R eq ui r ed
MAC* MAP* MAS* MGF*
MAD 2104 Discrete Mathemat ics
MTG 2204 Geomet ry for Educators
QMB 2100 Basic Business Stat istics
STA 2023 Stat istical Methods
* Any course with this pref ix excluding
labs.
This course fulf ills 3 semester hours of the Communicat ions General Educat ion and Gordon Rule Writ ing requirement . (1, 3, 4, 9).
3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 semester hours of the
Mathemat ics General Educat ion requirement .
(LOs based on course selected)
MAC 1114 - Trignomet ry
MAC 1140 - Pre-Calculus Algebra
MAC 1147 - Pre-Calc.Alg. & Trigonomet ry
MGF 1107 Math for Liberal Arts 2
STA 2023 - Stat istical Methods
OR Enrol l in t he highest level mat h f or which you are
el igible and/ or f or which you have complet ed t he
prerequisi t es.
Check catalog based on course chosen
ht tps:/ / sisvsr.mdc.edu/catalog/
Natural
Science
(Gen Ed)
[No te 3]
Natural Science (Group A or B)
ALL st udent s must complet e bot h
a Li f e Science (Group A ) and a
Physical Science (Group B)
3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 semester hours of the Natural
Sciences General Educat ion requirement . (LOs based on
course selected)
Any natural sciences general educat ion course may be selected based on
the student 's professional or academic interests. I f t he st udent
select s a Group A course dur ing t his semest er , a course
f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a subsequent
semest er , and vice versa.
Not e t o Science M ajors: CHM 1025 or
high school chemist ry wit h grade of “ C” or higher
is the pre-requisite for CHM 1045 (start in the
highest CHM for which you are eligible and/or for
which you have completed the prerequisites).
CGS1060 or
CCT
(Computer
Competency
Test)
[No te 4]
Introductio n to Microcomputer
Usage
4 This course fulf ills the General Educat ion elective
requirement . CGS1060 at MDC is equivalent to CGS 2060
in the State University System.
By the 16 t h earned col lege- level credi t , a student must have
at tempted CGS1060, an equivalent college credit course, CTS0050
(formerly CGV0010), or the computer competency test.
No prerequisite
13
T o tal Credit Ho urs
Note 1: MAT1033 will count toward the 24 hour elective block (not General Education).
Note 2: SLS 1106 needs to be taken by the 16th earned credit for AA degree First Time in College (FTIC) students. Credits count towards the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 3: Credits for Natural Science Lab courses will count towards the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 4: Credits earned by taking CGS 1060 are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 5: Credits earned by taking a Foreign Language course are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.

22. Summer - First Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
Behavio ral/
Social
Science
(Gen Ed)
**Behavio ral/Social Science
requirement (Group A or B)
3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 credits of the Behavioral/Social
Sciences general educat ion requirement . (LOs based on
course selected)
Any Behavioral/Social Science General Educat ion f rom Group A or B may
be selected based on the student 's professional or academic interests. I f
t he st udent select s a Group A course dur ing t his
semest er , a course f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a
subsequent semest er , and vice versa.
Foreign
Language
[No te 5]
Foreign Language Competency
(FLC) or ASL*, CHI*, FRE*, FRW*,
GER*, ITA*, JPN*, POR*, RUS*, SPN*
4
7
Ef fective Fall 2014 Foreign Language is an AA degree graduat ion requirement AND for admission to the baccalaureate. (NOTE: The
following content /wording subject to change by FLDOE): Demonstrat ing competence at the: (a) elementary 2 level (i.e., 2 years of
secondary/high school level) in one (1) foreign language pref ix or American Sign Language OR (b) postsecondary/college level
equivalent in one (1) foreign language pref ix or American Sign Language.
T o tal Credit Ho urs
Semester 1 - Second Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
Oral Comm.
(Gen Ed)
**Oral Communications 3
Humanities
(Gen Ed)
Any Oral Communicat ions General Educat ion and Gordon Rule Writ ing requirement course may be selected based on the student 's
professional or academic interests. Courses that sat isfy the Oral Communicat ion requirement include SPC 1017, ENC2300, or LIT 2480.
(LOs based on course selected)
**Humanities (Group A or B) 3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 credits of the Humanit ies general
educat ion requirement . (LOs based on course selected)
Any Humanit ies General Educat ion f rom Group A or B may be selected
based on the student 's professional or academic interests. I f t he
st udent select s a Group A course dur ing t his semest er , a
course f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a subsequent
semest er , and vice versa.
Foreign
Language
[No te 5]
Foreign Language Competency
(FLC) or ASL*, CHI*, FRE*, FRW*,
GER*, ITA*, JPN*, POR*, RUS*, SPN*
4
Elect ive 3
13
Ef fective Fall 2014 Foreign Language is an AA degree graduat ion requirement AND for admission to the baccalaureate. (NOTE: The
following content /wording subject to change by FLDOE): Demonstrat ing competence at the: (a) elementary 2 level (i.e., 2 years of
secondary/high school level) in one (1) foreign language pref ix or American Sign Language OR (b) postsecondary/college level
equivalent in one (1) foreign language pref ix or American Sign Language.
T o tal Credit Ho urs
Semester 2- Second Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
Natural
Natural Science (Group A or B)
3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 semester hours of the Natural
Science
ALL st udent s must complet e bot h
Sciences General Educat ion requirement . (LOs based on
(Gen Ed)
a Li f e Science (Group A ) and a
course selected)
[No te 3]
Physical Science (Group B)
Any natural sciences general educat ion course may be selected based on
the student 's professional or academic interests. I f t he st udent
select s a Group A course dur ing t his semest er , a course
f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a subsequent
semest er , and vice versa.
Not e t o Science M ajors: CHM 1025 or
high school chemist ry wit h grade of “ C” or higher
is the pre-requisite for CHM 1045 (start in the
highest CHM for which you are eligible and/or for
which you have completed the prerequisites).
Behavio ral/
Social
Science
(Gen Ed)
**Behavio ral/Social Science
requirement (Group A or B)
3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 credits of the Behavioral/Social
Sciences general educat ion requirement . (LOs based on
course selected)
Any Behavioral/Social Science General Educat ion f rom Group A or B may
be selected based on the student 's professional or academic interests. I f
t he st udent select s a Group A course dur ing t his
semest er , a course f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a
subsequent semest er , and vice versa.
Humanities
(Gen Ed)
**Humanities (Group A or B) 3 This course fulf ills 3 of 6 credits of the Humanit ies general
educat ion requirement . (LOs based on course selected)
Any Humanit ies General Educat ion f rom Group A or B may be selected
based on the student 's professional or academic interests. I f t he
st udent select s a Group A course dur ing t his semest er , a
course f rom Group B must be t aken dur ing a subsequent
semest er , and vice versa.
Elect ive 3
12
T o tal Credit Ho urs
Note 1: MAT1033 will count toward the 24 hour elective block (not General Education).
Note 2: SLS 1106 needs to be taken by the 16th earned credit for AA degree First Time in College (FTIC) students. Credits count towards the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 3: Credits for Natural Science Lab courses will count towards the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 4: Credits earned by taking CGS 1060 are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 5: Credits earned by taking a Foreign Language course are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.

23. Summer - Second Year
Course # Co urse T it le Credits No tes/ Learning Outcomes (LOs) Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
Elect ive 2
2
T o tal Credit Ho urs
GRAND TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 60
Credits beyo nd the 60 required fo r the AA sho uld be listed in the sect io n belo w pro vided they suppo rt graduat io n requirements fo r
the AA, and/ o r meet the F LVC requirements ( i.e., appro ved Commo n P rerequisite M anual) fo r admissio n to the Baccalaureate.
ht tp:/ / ss.f lvc.o rg/ f lvc/ po rtal/Home_P age/Student%20Services/Co llege_T ransfer_Center/Commo n_P rerequisite_M anual
Additional Coursework for Baccalaureate Admission
Students entering a baccalaureate degree program with an AA degree may need additional coursework to provide appropriate background for the baccalaureate program.
List ONLY approved Common Prerequisite courses leading to admission to the baccalaureate.
NOTE: May be completed as a "Transient" student (Transient students are: Applicants who are enrolled in another college or university and receive permission from the Registrar of that institution to seek
temporary admission to another college or university. Transient students must be in good standing at their home institution. ).
Co urse
Number
Co urse T it le Credit
Ho urs
No tes/ Learning Outcomes Interdisciplinary Recommendat io ns P rerequisites/Co requisites
Total Credits
OVERALL CREDITS
REMINDER: SLS 1106 needs to be added by the 16th earned credit for AA degree First Time in College (FTIC) students. NOTE: MAT1033 will count toward the 24 hour elective block (not General Education).
Effective Fall 2014 Foreign Language is an AA degree graduation requirement AND for admission to the baccalaureate.
** Gordon Rule requires six semester hours of approved English coursework and six semester hours of additional approved coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing
skills through multiple assignments in this content area. http://www.mdc.edu/asa/student/guidelines.asp
Note 1: MAT1033 will count toward the 24 hour elective block (not General Education).
Note 2: SLS 1106 needs to be taken by the 16th earned credit for AA degree First Time in College (FTIC) students. Credits count towards the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 3: Credits for Natural Science Lab courses will count towards the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 4: Credits earned by taking CGS 1060 are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.
Note 5: Credits earned by taking a Foreign Language course are split between the General Education Elective and/or the 24 Hour Elective Block.

24. Common Prerequisite Manual
The Common Prerequisite Manual lists the common
prerequisites courses and substitutions for each
university program. All students, both native and
transfer, must complete the courses to be admitted
into an upper division program.

25. MDC’S Ten Learning Outcomes
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in
society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10.Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on
the environment.

26. Questions