Don't Delay - Create a Long-Term Academic Plan Today!

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:25:46 -0400
freshman, sophomore

Fall 2023 registration is almost here! In the midst of the semester grind, it can be a challenge to think beyond just the next semester. But did you know that according to the UMBC Baccalaureate Degree Completion Policy, the university actually encourages all students to have a long-term academic plan established by the time they have earned 45 credits?

What exactly is a long-term academic plan? It’s a map of how you are going to complete ALL your degree requirements- not just those needed for your major. Ideally, you will create a plan that is broken down by semester (including any summer or winter sessions you may use) and include credit totals.

You may be thinking this sounds like a daunting process, but students who carve out time to do this exercise are able to reap several benefits:

1. See the Big Picture– long-term planning allows you to visualize the gaps. Open space that you have in your overall academic plan can be used intentionally for things like study abroad, an internship, or a second major or a minor/certificate

2. Ensures timely graduation – planning out your academics beyond just the next semester will help you avoid missing degree requirements, such as the 45 upper-level credit requirement. If you create a first draft of your plan and then realize you have “run out of space” to meet your graduation goal, you now have the time to figure out how to move things around, which may include taking more credits in a certain semester or adding in a summer or winter session*

3. Allows for greater flexibility and confidence – when you have an overall idea of when you plan to take certain courses, youactually can move things around with greater ease without the worry of accidentally bumping out another required course. Everything needed is right there in front of you and accounted for! Are you a student-athlete? By long-term planning, you can create a plan that allows you to have a lighter course load during your season and a heavier one in the off season.Are you planning to study abroad? You can reserve/hold off on certain courses that you know you can take during your study abroad semester. Do you need to go part-time for a semester? You can determine which future semesters will carry the load of classes you didn’t take in that part-time semester.

This is all about creating a plan that is unique to YOU and your needs, instead of feeling constrained by what’s required. When you don’t long-term plan, you run the risk of boxing yourself in to a course schedule that doesn’t really serve your goals and needs.

So how do you get started on long-term planning? It’s easy.

1. Find the Academic Pathway associated with your major (you can also download a blank planning document from this website), in conjunction with the Undergraduate Course Catalog (which also includes requirements for minors and certificates). Use these resources to help determine what classes are needed for your program(s) of study. Note – Academic Pathways are guides intended to show you the order in which to take certain major classes. Each student’s plan will be unique, especially if you entered UMBC with transfer or AP/IB credits.

2. While creating the plan, utilize your Degree Audit in myUMBC to confirm what degree requirements (including General Education and University requirements) you’ve already completed. You can print off your Degree Audit and “check off” the requirements as you put them into your plan.

3. Meet with your academic advisor to review the plan and ensure that you did not miss any important requirements.

4. Bonus - Enter your plan into the Degree Planner on myUMBC to update your Degree Donut.

*Want to get ahead, catch up, or lighten your load during the regular academic year? Consider summer session at UMBC! Course offerings are mostly online for 2023 and include 4, 6, 8 and 12-week options.

In closing, just because you create a long-term plan, doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. Ideally you will bring this plan with you, in whatever format you choose, to each advising appointment so you can make adjustments with your academic advisor as necessary. Happy Planning!