To obtain more information, click here: View the MS C2C Website

Overview

Alcorn State University’s Complete to Compete (C2C) Program is coordinated in conjunction with a statewide initiative to help Mississippi adults who have earned college credit, but do not have a degree, to better their lives by completing a degree program.

For more information about how to enroll in the Complete 2 Compete program at Alcorn State University, please contact the C2C Coach, Dr. Felicia McGowan at 601.877.2415 or via email at [email protected].

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Bachelor of University Studies, an adult degree completion program, provides adult learners with a flexible path to a bachelor’s degree and is one option for returning students to obtain degree completion through the Complete 2 Compete (C2C) Initiative. The C2C initiative, a statewide program, was developed to encourage Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but earned no degree, to return to college and finish what they started. The Bachelor of University Studies is intended to serve adult learners who have earned at least 90 credit hours but have not completed a baccalaureate degree and have not attended a post-secondary institution in the past twenty-four months based on the last date of attendance. The curriculum may be individualized for each adult learner based on their previously completed coursework and future career goals.

PROGRAM STRATEGIC GOALS

  • Developing students’ ability to read, interpret, and evaluate the work of scholars in their chosen career field and design and apply research skills in the study of career-related problems.
  • Communicate effectively and reason critically when confronted with workforce and societal issues.
  • Decreasing time to degree for adult and nontraditional students by providing alternative degree options, modes of delivery, and adequate student services.
  • Expand students’ interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of the relationships among the areas of humanities and fine arts, natural sciences, social and behavioral science.

Eligibility

The student must be admissible/re-admissible to Alcorn State University. The C2C coach conducts an academic evaluation and applies earned credits of 90 hours or greater towards a Bachelor of Arts University Studies degree. The prospective student whose academic evaluations that does not meet this requirement, the C2C coach works to identify the next best steps to achieve the student’s goal.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

The Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program is open to adult learners who Qualify for the State of Mississippi’s Complete 2 Compete (C2C) program and have previously completed 90 semester hours of credits. Complete 2 Compete is a statewide program focused on encouraging Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but no degree, to return to college and complete the requirements necessary to earn their degrees.

Students must submit the following to the School of Lifelong Learning to satisfy undergraduate admission to the Bachelor of University Studies Degree Program:

  • Qualify for Complete 2 Compete (C2C) Program
  1. Must apply for the Complete 2 Compete program at MSC2C.org
  2. Be at least 21 years of age,
  3. Have been out of college at least 24 consecutive months,
  4. Have not completed a baccalaureate degree, and
  5. Be a resident of Mississippi or an Out-of-state adult who previously attended a Mississippi public institution
  6. Provide all transcripts to C2C Coach showing completion of 90 semester hours of coursework.
  7. Admission to Alcorn State University
    • A completed Jackson State University official Undergraduate Admissions Application
    • Official high school transcript showing graduation from a secondary school or the equivalent (GED)
    • Official transcripts of all post-secondary studies
    • Immunization record (if born after 1957)
    • Copy of birth certificate

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

  • General Education Requirements – 48 hours
  • Professional Electives – 12 hours
  • Interdisciplinary Concentration – 27 hours
  • General Interdisciplinary Concentration – 27 hours
  • Internship and Research Project – 6 hours

Total required for Bachelor’s Degree – 120 hours

Who Qualifies

The Adult Degree Completion Program is intended to serve adult learners who have earned at least 90 credit hours but have not competed a baccalaureate degree, have not attended a postsecondary institution in the past twenty-four (24) months based on last date of attendance, and are interested in degree completion.

Life Credit Policy

University Studies students can also take advantage of the Life Credit Policy. This Policy enables student to earn up to 30 hours of institutional credits for their work experience. The student will need to provide the proper documentation form their employer (letter of experience and tenure on the job, certifications, etc.)

Academic Forgiveness Policy- C2C

Academic Second Chance – An undergraduate student, previously enrolled at Alcorn State University who has not been enrolled in any postsecondary education institution since leaving Alcorn State, may be eligible for matriculation under the Academic Second Chance Policy. The Academic Second Chance option must be requested before the end of the second semester of re-admission. The student may use this option ONE time.

Under this option…

  1. The student is required to have been separated from the University for a Minimum of twenty-four (24) consecutive months.
  2. All academic credit hours and grades earned during previous enrollment at Alcorn State University will remain on the student’s transcript:
    1. Academic credit hours with grades of “C” and above may be used to meet degree requirements.
    2. Academic credit hours with grades of less than “C” will not be used in the computation of the student’s grade point average.
  3. The student must meet all degree requirements based on the current catalog at the time of readmission.

4.If a school or department does not allow for readmission, it shall be exempt from the Academic Second Chance policy.

Academic New Start – An undergraduate student, previously enrolled at Alcorn State University who has not been enrolled in any postsecondary education institution since leaving Alcorn State, may be eligible for matriculation under the Academic New Start Policy. The Academic New Start option must be requested before the end of the second semester of re-admission. The student may use this option ONE time.

Under this option…

  1. The student is required to have been separated from the University for a Minimum of thirty-six (36) consecutive months.
  2. The Academic New Start option must be requested before the end of the second semester of re-admission with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  3. All academic credit hours and grades earned during previous enrollment at Alcorn State University will remain on the student’s transcript but will not be counted toward degree requirements.
  4. The student must meet all degree requirements that are in effect at the time of re-admission to Alcorn State University. (current year catalog)
  5. If a school or department does not allow for readmission, it shall be exempt from the Academic New Start policy.

(IHL POLICY 521.A.2. P.89)

  1. Re-admission into the C2C Initiative may be accepted to satisfy the Adult Degree Completion Program degree requirements. Transfer coursework for which a student earned a grade of “D” may be accepted to satisfy the Adult Degree Completion Program degree requirements. All failing grades (e.g., “F” grades) received before admission to the Adult Degree Completion Program may be disregarded but should count in credit hours attempted to determine financial aid eligibility. Additional requirements may be established by the admitting institution.

Funding

The C2C Initiative is not a fully funded program. Understanding that finances can be a barrier for adult learners, C2C offers the C2C Grant for qualifying students. This grant can be used to pay a past debt at any of our Mississippi public community colleges or universities and assist with expenses for students enrolling through C2C. The C2C Grant totals $1000.00 and is awarded for each qualifying semester. Learn more about the steps to apply for the C2C Grant by clicking here.

The C2C Coach will be able to help guide students through that process if they have questions. Helping to lessen this financial burden will result in more adult learners completing their degrees, allow for better jobs, higher pay, stronger workforce, and more stabilized families.