As we embark upon another school year, it’s always good to remember what the end goal is for your
student: GRADUATION. Is your student doing what they need to do to graduate in a timely fashion?
According to the US Department of Education, it takes five years to complete a bachelor’s degree – but
that doesn’t have to be the case. Most of your programs here at Missouri Western take 120 credit hours
to complete, which breaks down to 15 hours per semester to graduate in four years. Do you know how
many hours your student is taking this semester?
Starting this fall, Missouri Western is offering students the opportunity to join our Finish in Four
program. This program is designed to help students create a four year academic plan with their advisor,
putting them on the path to timely graduation. Why is it beneficial to complete a degree in four years?
First, it could save you thousands of dollars. Your family can create a four-year financing plan without
the surprise costs of an additional year (or two). It can also help with potential savings by keeping debt
to a minimum. Second, your student can enter the job market earlier than many of their peers, which
could put them in a great position to land their dream job in a highly competitive market. And third,
research says that students who take at least 15 credit hours per semester earn better grades, are three
times more likely to graduate and are more satisfied with their college experience.
I would encourage you to have a discussion with your student regarding the Finish in Four program and
the benefits of graduating in four years. Our goal is the same as yours: making sure your child achieves
their academic and career goals.
