Western Edge

Western Edge

Graduation Compact FAQs

Is this a guarantee from WMU that students can get a degree in four years?

It’s a partnership agreement--a compact that if students take the steps required of them, WMU will make sure the courses are available and the support systems are in place that will allow them to be successful and earn a degree in the minimum amount of time their program demands.  Most bachelor’s degrees can be earned in four years, but there are some programs that require up to an additional year to complete.

What steps do students have to take?

They have to take at least 30 credits per year, declare a major in a timely fashion and take advantage of required personal advising and other support tools.  If they do that and earn a 3.0 GPA during their first year on campus, they will also receive a financial incentive that will help defray their educational costs for the following year.

Don’t most students graduate in four years anyway?

No, for many years, college and universities across the nation have looked at graduation rates in six-year time frames.  Students change majors and frequently take time off from their studies, often to work to earn money for tuition and living expenses. WMU’s six-year graduation rate is currently about 54 percent, which is one of the best rates for degree completion among Michigan’s public universities.  But we want to see more students graduate in four or five years.  If we can do that, it will be good for the University’s reputation, and it will be great for students and their families.

How do I sign-up for the graduation compact?

You sign-up for the graduation compact in your college advising office. Many students will choose to sign-up when they talk to their advisor in preparation for course scheduling. Students will be able to sign-up as soon as they declare their major as a freshmen (or in some cases during their sophomore year or perhaps later for transfer students); in others with limited admissions programs, students will sign-up when they earn admission to their degree program.

I’m not sure if the graduation compact is for me. Should I sign-up for it?

The graduation compact isn’t for everyone. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to do when they get to college. Others want to find their own pace in college, sampling different programs and majors, or perhaps spend a year studying abroad. Students should only sign-up for the graduation compact once they’re sure about their choice of major.

I’ve just learned that in my college I can’t declare a major right away. Instead I have a “pre-major” designation. When can I complete the graduation compact?

Do work with your college advisor to determine the best time to sign a graduation compact.

Does the graduation compact work with every major?

Most every major is listed on the accompanying web pages as a either a 4 year major, a 4 ½ year major, or a 5 year major. If you have any questions about your major and how it intersects with the graduation compact, please be sure to contact your college advisor.

I want to do a co-op, internship or study abroad. Will I be able to and still take advantage of the graduation compact?

If you have arrived at WMU pretty sure that you would like to study abroad, in most programs your graduation compact can be arranged to take this into account. In some cases, however, an internship and/or study abroad could require you to take an extra semester to graduate.

I plan to double major. Can I still participate in the graduation compact?

The graduation compact—in terms of WMU guaranteeing the courses you need, covers your first major and your first minor only. However, for most students, choosing to double major does not typically slow their progress toward graduation.

What if I want to change my major? Will this affect my ability to participate in the graduation compact?

Yes, changing your major would void your contract. Having said that, if you change your major earlier rather than later, or within a college (i.e., from a Business Management major to a Business Marketing major), you probably will have enough time before graduation to sign a new compact.

What if I get sick? Can I “stop the clock?”

Our interest at WMU is your student success. If the circumstances of life happen, your advisor will work with you to re-write the compact to adjust to your life circumstances.

If I fall behind, can I use summer school to get me back on track?

Yes, you can certainly use summer school to help you get the courses you need to graduate on time. WMU’s online course offerings also provide an excellent opportunity to get back on track.

Can I use courses from my community college back home to help me complete my graduation compact?

Absolutely. While we would hope you would avail yourself of WMU’s online courses or summer school, you can even transfer courses from other schools if you need to as part of the graduation compact.

Does the graduation compact ensure that I will be admitted into a limited admission major or program?

No it does not. Those highly competitive programs will only offer the graduation compact to those majors who gain admission into the program.

My major/program requires more than 122 hours to graduate. How many hours should I take to graduate?

In some programs, you might need to take an average of 16-17 hours to graduate in four years. Do consult the major programming guides available to you from your advisor for specific guidance.

I’m a transfer student. Can I still get a graduation compact?

Yes, you should work directly with your college advisor to determine your remaining WMU requirements and together you can craft a plan to graduate. Transfer students need to have their compacts completed by the end of their first semester at WMU.

I did dual enrollment in high school as well as received AP credit. Can these credits be used toward the graduation compact?

Absolutely. Our goal at WMU is to help you graduate on time; credits you earned through dual enrollment, AP or IB can be applied toward your graduation compact.

If I can’t get the course that I need for my compact, what should I do?

It is your responsibility to report this problem to your advisor in a timely fashion. This means that you should let your advisor know that there is a problem as soon as you discover it, as close to your actual registration period as possible. If you wait a week or two, the problem may be difficult to remedy. It is critical that you see your advisor right away.

 

Western Edge
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5211 USA
(269) 387-2000
ask-wmu@wmich.edu