Spokane Falls Community College

Project DEgree flyer (PDF)

Nearly two-thirds of all jobs will require a college education by 2018. Unfortunately, far too many community college students fail to complete their education. An estimated 40% to 70% of entering students need to take at least one developmental course—and many get stuck there, never moving to transfer-level courses.

For 18-26 year olds who have earned a high school diploma or GED but still need further developmental courses to be ready for college-level course work, Project DEgree is a fast-track to completing a degree. Project DEgree provides students with individualized academic and social supports, offers an engaging project-based curriculum within a learning community, and helps students structure their lives so they can build and maintain the momentum necessary to complete a college credential.

Although you pay tuition for your courses, you will receive many services and supports free of charge to help you progress toward a degree, including a dedicated academic success coach who provides intensive support, advising, and academic help. Students are encouraged to take a minimum 12-credit load each quarter, and one class summer quarter.

Year One

Once admitted to the program, students are enrolled in a small learning community of 25 Project DEgree students. Together they take developmental coursework in reading, writing, and math, plus college success courses. They also receive individualized supplemental assistance with coursework. Each learning community is assigned an academic success coach who provides intensive support to students during their first year in the program as they move from developmental to college-level courses the first year. By teaching the college survival and study skills courses, coaches get to know their students and are able to offer more holistic support.

Year Two

In year two, students fully transition into college-level coursework and work toward the certificate or degree of their choice. They are supported by a completion advisor, who provides guidance and connects students to college resources, with the goal of increasing persistence.

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

Research shows that students enrolled in learning community programs like Project DEgree are significantly more engaged in their education and much more likely to stick with college and finish their degree. Other benefits of Project DEgree include:

  • Cash for textbooks
  • Dedicated, individual support from an academic success coach who serves as an advisor, coach, and mentor
  • Opportunity to form a positive, motivating peer group
  • Free individualized tutoring
  • Referrals to resources such as financial aid, tutoring, counseling, student activities, health services, and more
  • Group functions to focus on leadership, teamwork, and fun

Fall 2011 Schedule

Option 1

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8:30 -9:30

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

9:30-10:30

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

10:30-11:30

Accelerated Learning

GENST 106

GENST 106

GENST 106

Accelerated Learning

11:30-12:30

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Students also take First Year Introduction – GENST 107
14 credits, Fall 2012

Option 2

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

10:30-11:30

Accelerated Learning

GENST 106

GENST 106

GENST 106

Accelerated Learning

11:30-12:30

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

ENGL 98/99

12:30-1:30

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

ENGL 94

1:30-2:30

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Study Hall

Students also take First Year Introduction – GENST 107
14 credits, Fall 2012

How does Project DEgree work?

Year One
All students begin in a learning community of 20-25 students. They take developmental level coursework in reading and writing, a math success workshop, a college success course, and receive supplemental tutoring in writing. Each learning community is assigned an academic success coach who works intensively with each student during their first year at the college.

Students progress as a learning community, taking the next sequence of reading, writing, and math classes plus a study skills course. The academic success coach teaches the college success and study skills courses in order to provide more holistic support by getting to know their students as learners.

Spring quarter, students will continue as a learning community by fulfilling several degree requirements as well as continuing the math sequence. Students are expected to participate in Project DEgree activities summer quarter as well.

Year Two
Students fully transition into college-level coursework and work toward the certificate or degree of their choice. Students are encouraged to take at least 12 credits each quarter. They are supported by a completion advisor who provides advising and connects students to college resources and supports as needed.

What can Project DEgree students achieve in this program?

Student can earn the associate’s degree or certificate of their choosing. Project DEgree staff will be there to help students achieve their goal.

What do Project DEgree students commit to?

  • Taking at least 12 credits fall, winter, and spring quarters
  • Participating in Project DEgree activities during summer quarter
  • The ultimate goal – earning a college degree
  • Earning a 2.0 or above in each class
  • Missing no more than 5 class sessions per quarter
  • Being part of a team

What kind of supports help Project DEgree students earn a college degree?

Students who are accepted into the program are assigned an academic success coach. The coach provides support and access to resources to help all students in the program to be successful. The academic success coach provides the following services:

  • Transcript reviews and academic advising
  • Assistance with completing enrollment and registration
  • Referrals to resources, such as financial aid, tutoring, counseling, student activities and health services
  • Personal guidance including assistance with problem solving, time management, and stress management


How much does it cost?

Students pay tuition for the classes that they take. Students receive many additional services and supports (listed above) free of charge to help them progress toward a degree.

When and where are the classes offered?

Classes during Degree Year One are only offered at Spokane Falls Community College. Thereafter students are free to take classes at SCC or through the IEL if their offerings are more relevant to degree or certificate completion, but the Completion Advisor is an SFCC employee. A Project DEgree staff person can talk further about the specific class schedule.

Who are Project DEgree students?

  • Have attained a high school diploma or GED
  • Are 18-26 years old at the time they start
  • Have placed into college developmental education classes in reading, writing, and math
  • Are committed to and have the ability to pay for 12 credits of tuition and fees fall (financial aid is available)
  • Are willing to make a long term commitment (2+years) to work hard to complete a college degree. The ultimate goal is to earn a college degree.

Contact Information

Application
Pledge Of Commitment

For more information about Project DEgree, please contact:

Glen Cosby, Project Degree Coordinator
E-mail: glenc@spokanefalls.edu
Phone: (509) 533-3576

Josh Westermann, Project DEgree Academic Success Coach
E-mail: joshw@spokanefalls.edu
Phone: (509) 533-4187

Hadda Estrada, M.A, Project DEgree Completion Advisor
Spokane Falls Community College, 24:108C
E-mail: hadda.estrada@spokanefalls.edu
Phone: (509) 533-3646
Fax: (509) 533-4162

or go to the national website at www.projectdegree.org

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Spokane Falls Community College - 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr. - Spokane, WA 99224-5288
For general information call: 509-533-3500 or 888-509-7944
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