15 to Finish
15 to Finish is an ongoing initiative that encourages students to take 15 credit hours per semester. The initiative is geared towards helping student to graduate within a reasonable amount of time.
The value of 15 to Finish extends beyond simply accumulating credits. Staying on pace can help students:
- Maintain academic momentum and persistence by making steady progress toward degree completion
- Reduce the likelihood of additional semesters, along with the added tuition, fees, housing, books, and other costs that may come with extending enrollment
- Limit additional student-loan borrowing and debt by reducing the need for extra semesters of enrollment
- Enter the workforce or graduate school sooner, allowing students to begin earning full-time wages and building their careers earlier
- Create opportunities for academic and career experiences such as internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, minors, certificates, and other coursework
- Build flexibility into their academic plan. Students who are on pace – or slightly ahead – may have more room to adjust their schedules if an unexpected academic or personal circumstance arises
- Support academic success. Research and institutional experience associated with 15 to Finish indicate that students who accumulate credits at a faster pace can demonstrate stronger persistence, retention, and degree-completion outcomes
Most of ETSU’s degree programs require 120 credit hours to graduate, so 120 credits/15 credits per semester = 8 semesters. This translates to 4 years for a freshman to earn a degree.
Academic Advisors create plans in DegreeWorks that consider the 15 to Finish initiative. These plans help guide students more quickly toward their graduation goal. It is important to remember that 12 credit hours is considered full-time and if you/your student do not feel that you can successfully complete 15 credit hours in a semester, 12 credit hours will retain your full-time student status. 15 to Finish is a planning goal, not a one-size-fits-all requirement. Advisors consider each student's degree requirements, course availability, academic preparation, financial-aid and scholarship requirements, employment and family responsibilities, and individual circumstances when determining an appropriate course load.
The ultimate goal for each student is to graduate and Academic Advisors will support students in creating an individualized plan for success!