This document discusses new curriculum pathways being implemented at MDC for Fall 2014. It provides an overview of pathways, their purpose and benefits. New pathways have been created for various programs in Allied Health, Arts/Humanities, and Social Sciences. The pathways templates include recommended course sequences, notes on requirements, and additional courses needed for bachelor's programs. Training webinars will offer more guidance on using the new pathways. Overall, the pathways are aimed at helping students map out academic plans to facilitate timely degree completion and transfer.

1. Curriculum Pathways
Shark Start Training
May-June 2014
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2. Agenda
• Characteristics of effective Academic Pathways
• What’s new for Fall 2014
• Supplemental webinar training on pathways
scenarios
• Additional support for students enrolling in
MAT1033

3. Academic Pathways: The Rationale
 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 decreased
by federal and state governments
 Multiple disciplines have created/revised their curriculum
pathways
 Others have program sheets that can be used in the interim
 Pathways and program sheets are available at
https://bit.ly/MDCsharkstart
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4. Academic Pathways: The Definition
Focused and integrated set of courses and
sequences designed to increase transfer
success and degree completion
– A.A. pathway includes all pre-requisites
for transfer as a junior to baccalaureate
program at MDC or another institution
– A.S. pathway includes all requirements
to enter occupation or transfer to a
B.A.S. program

5. Academic Pathways: The Purpose
• 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.

6. Academic Pathways: The Contents
• Course requirements and sequences
for full-time and part-time study
– general education requirements
– program-specific courses
• Notes that explain common Florida
requirements that articulate to state-
approved B.A. or B.A.S degrees
• Interdisciplinary recommendations
that identify recommended general
education courses

7. What’s New for Fall 2014
• 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. What’s New for Fall 2014
• 4 new pathways in Arts and Humanities
– Art
– Philosophy
– Music
– Theater/Drama
• 5 new pathways in Social Sciences
– International Relations
– Political Science
– History
– Anthropology
– Sociology

9. What’s New for Fall 2014
• 10 additional new pathways in
– Architecture
– Early Childhood Education (3)
– Exceptional Student Education
– Hospitality Administration
– Hospitality and Tourism Management
– Interior Design
– Mass Communications/Journalism
– Mathematics

10. What’s New for Fall 2014
Program sheets for most remaining AS programs
• Available at https://bit.ly/MDCsharkstart
New SLS 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

11. What’s New for Fall 2014
• New foreign language requirement
– Requirement is 8 credit hours
– Required for both AA degree AND admission to
baccalaureate programs in Florida
– Students can meet with proof of proficiency (CLEP)
– Students who test out of foreign languages choose the
next course listed on pathway to complete semester load

12. What’s New for Fall 2014
• 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:
http://ss.flvc.org/flvc/portal/Home_Page/Student%20Servi
ces/College_Transfer_Center/common_Preqrequiste_Man
ual

13. Academic Pathways: The 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 to 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.

14. Pathways Contain Important Notes
• Note 1: MAT1033 counts towards the 24 credit
Elective block but does not fulfill General Education
math requirement
• Note 2: SLS 1106 must be taken by 16th earned
credit for AA degree for FTIC students. It also counts
towards the 24 credit Elective block
• Note 3: credits for Natural Science lab courses will
count towards the General Education elective and/or
the 24 credit Elective block

15. Pathways contain Important Notes
• Note 4: Credits earned by taking CGS1060 are split
between the General Education elective and/or the
24 credit Elective Block
• Remember that the Gordon Rule requires six
semester hours of English and six additional hours of
approved courses where student demonstrates
college-level writing skills

16. What to do if no Academic Pathways
or Program Sheets
1. Go to the Florida Virtual Campus at
http://www.flvc.org
2. Click on Student Services
3. Select Common Prerequisites Manual
4. Select the most current academic year
5. Select program listing by Alphabetic Order
6. Select the student’s degree/major
7. Print the page
8. Identify ALL courses that are required; they are listed at the ampersand “&”
 using MDC catalog, verify which 1000 or 2000 level courses are on the required
list
 for courses not offered MDC, there are alternatives listed at “OR”
 students can take either 1000/2000 courses or the alternatives
Key is to complete both Gen Ed courses and program requirements in the
sequence listed
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17. Pathways Webinars: Week of June 9
• Additional training for reading and interpreting pathways via multiple
interactive webinars will be held from June 9-13
– How to use the Notes
– How to schedule SLS requirement
– What to do if student chooses to take developmental courses first
– How to use part-time pathways
– What to do when pathways courses not available
– Which courses to take if foreign language requirement met via CLEP
– How to identify additional courses required for baccalaureate
program admission
• Registration information will be available May 30

18. Additional support for students enrolling
in MAT 1033