Provided by: Sandi Smith, College Navigator - RVC
ACADEMIC Planning
for EveryStudent
Start
What is ACADEMIC Planning all about?
Basically, academic planning is...
- all about looking at your options,
- mapping a path,
- utilizing navigation tools,
- and reaching your destination!
View Description
What is ACADEMIC Planning?
Making "Meaning" from your experiences
To start... it is critically important to understand how a specific academic Program aligns with your intended long-term or career goals. Yes, that means you may want to spend a little more time and effort to target your destination BEFORE you get too far into your academic path. If you are still uncertain about your goals, you might spend some time exploring career options.
Whether you are just transitioning from high school, or making a mid-life re-direction, OTC can introduce you to resources and experiences that can help you make good choices. There will be "extra-curricular" options that can prepare you to be distinctive in your long-term path. I highly recommend that every student do some "Job Shadowing" and/or volunteering, or an internship early in your academic path as a way to clarify some career standards and peculiarities, and also get a better feel for what you may like or dislike about a career.
Ask more Questions !
- Will this career require you continue your education to a Bachelor's or Master's degree?
- Will this career require you to work nights and weekends?
- How will this career require you to interact with clients or customers?
- Will this career require you to always work in a team of diverse co-workers, or will you primarily be setting your own agenda?
- What salary range can you expect at the entry-level, and at mid-career?
- Will there be stable options for this career in your community, or will you likely need to move away to be able to advance in the career?
Once you understand the suggested academic path that can prepare you for an intended career, there will still be options beyond the initial declaration of your Program (or "academic major" or degree).
Degree Requirements
Academic paths are largely mandated or prescribed by State and National standards and requirements. For example, there are distinctions between a Certificate, an Associate's, a Bachelor's, a Master's and a Doctorate degree. There are standards for the General Education courses required for various degree levels. There are standards for the content of the courses in specific disciplines (for example a Math degree, a Psychology degree, a Computer Science degree, and a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. There are standards for how many hours you spend in the classroom and how many hours of homework. There are requirements for the number of credit-hours in a specific degree. Thus, OTC is not just making this up. If you enroll in another community college across the U.S. you will find similar academic requirements. OTC must collaborate with universities to ensure that your Associate's degree will fulfill certain degree requirements in aligned Bachelor's degrees.
Degree Requirements
Types of Degrees
Doctorate
Associate
Certificate
Bachelor
Master
More
More
More
More
More
Certificate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Associate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
60-credits or more
Start to align General Ed. w/ career courses
Most careers require higher degree
Not very flexible / adaptable
Choose focus on career or transfer to a higher degree
Trades Health sci Transfer
SlowerSTEM Path
Transfer to higher degree
Terminal degree for some careers
Technical or Academic
Bachelor
Benefits
Challenges
Typically 4-years or more
60-credits or more
Difficult to balance w/ family or work
Degree required for most careers
More expensive to change academic or career path
General Education and Major
Transferable Skills
Larger financial investment
Enables career promotion
Transferability of skills
Master
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Doctorate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Degree Elements
Program or degree-specific courses
general education courses (in this State of Missouri this is called the CORE42)
Elective courses
Specific accumulated credit-hours
Minimum grade point average
Degree Criteria
Again, no two people take the same exact path to a degree! Relating this to navigation, there is not one single path from Springfield, Missouri to San Francisco, California. You can expect to have diversions and re-adjust your path along the way.
Degree Criteria
Thus, a student does not just throw together a bunch of interesting courses of their own choosing and expect to earn any degree they want. You may complete the required 60-credit hours to graduate, however, if you did not take a required math course, you will not graduate. You may take all the required courses, however, if you do not earn a minimum GPA (typically 2.0) you will not graduate. Thus, it is important to know the requirements and then work on designing the map to get to your destination successfully
Degree AUDIT
Degree PLAN
Practice Activity
Activity
Login to your MyOTC Dashboard, and practice making adjustments to your "academic planning".
Login to MyOTC
Prove it !
Our goal at OTC is to empower YOU to... seek out; utilize; and demonstrate successful problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Planning activity
A1
A2
A3
Task
Development
Planning
Motivation
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
A4
A5
A6
A7
Evaluation
Synthesis
Development
Development
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
We organize
Development activity
Development activity 1
Development activity 2
Development activity 3
Designing the Visual Experience
Interactivity and animation can be key elements in creating impactful visual resources. From tables to charts, leverage these tools to simplify data and enrich your audience's understanding. Remember, visual communication is effective and captivating.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
Bringing Your Ideas to Life
It's time to get down to business. Use your creativity and technical skills to bring your concepts to life. Take advantage of interactivity and animation to make your tables, infographics, and graphics come to life, captivating your audience with every detail.
Preparing the Final Presentation
The moment of truth has arrived! In this final stage, we will organize our work and ensure that everything is ready for its presentation. Review your visual project, prepare the necessary materials, and practice your presentation to ensure that you convey your message clearly and confidently. You are ready to shine before your audience!
Agile Pedagogy PDF
A great title
Connecting the Threads
Review your work and make sure that each element contributes to the overall narrative. Eliminate the superfluous and focus on the essential to create a cohesive and persuasive experience. Synthesis is the key to conveying your message clearly and effectively.
Enhancing Your Visual Impact
Explore new techniques and tools to enhance the visual impact of your content. Experiment with different styles and effects to capture your audience's attention and convey your message in a memorable way.
Refining Your Creation
Do not settle for the ordinary. Perfect every element of your project, ensuring that each interaction and animation contributes to the clarity and understanding of your message. Attention to detail makes the difference between good and exceptional.
Working with Vision
Before diving into creation, develop a detailed plan. Define your goals, identify the necessary tools, and outline the design of your visual resources. A solid planning will ensure an effective andconvincing result.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
Reflecting on Your Creation
Take a moment to critically evaluate your work. Did you achieve your goals? Does your visual content meet the expectations of your audience? Use the feedback to identify areas for improvement and continue refining your creative and technical skills.
A great title
Assessment tool
Inspiring Creativity
Explore your imagination and let creativity flow. Visualize the impact your work will have by using interactive and animated tools. Get ready to captivate your audience and make your content stand out!
Assessment tool
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
- Generate experiences with your content.
- It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
- Make sure your audience remembers the message.
- Activate and surprise your audience.
ACADEMIC Planning
Sandi
Created on March 19, 2026
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Transcript
Provided by: Sandi Smith, College Navigator - RVC
ACADEMIC Planning
for EveryStudent
Start
What is ACADEMIC Planning all about?
Basically, academic planning is...
View Description
What is ACADEMIC Planning?
Making "Meaning" from your experiences
To start... it is critically important to understand how a specific academic Program aligns with your intended long-term or career goals. Yes, that means you may want to spend a little more time and effort to target your destination BEFORE you get too far into your academic path. If you are still uncertain about your goals, you might spend some time exploring career options.
Whether you are just transitioning from high school, or making a mid-life re-direction, OTC can introduce you to resources and experiences that can help you make good choices. There will be "extra-curricular" options that can prepare you to be distinctive in your long-term path. I highly recommend that every student do some "Job Shadowing" and/or volunteering, or an internship early in your academic path as a way to clarify some career standards and peculiarities, and also get a better feel for what you may like or dislike about a career.
Ask more Questions !
- Will this career require you continue your education to a Bachelor's or Master's degree?
- Will this career require you to work nights and weekends?
- How will this career require you to interact with clients or customers?
- Will this career require you to always work in a team of diverse co-workers, or will you primarily be setting your own agenda?
- What salary range can you expect at the entry-level, and at mid-career?
- Will there be stable options for this career in your community, or will you likely need to move away to be able to advance in the career?
Once you understand the suggested academic path that can prepare you for an intended career, there will still be options beyond the initial declaration of your Program (or "academic major" or degree).Degree Requirements
Academic paths are largely mandated or prescribed by State and National standards and requirements. For example, there are distinctions between a Certificate, an Associate's, a Bachelor's, a Master's and a Doctorate degree. There are standards for the General Education courses required for various degree levels. There are standards for the content of the courses in specific disciplines (for example a Math degree, a Psychology degree, a Computer Science degree, and a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. There are standards for how many hours you spend in the classroom and how many hours of homework. There are requirements for the number of credit-hours in a specific degree. Thus, OTC is not just making this up. If you enroll in another community college across the U.S. you will find similar academic requirements. OTC must collaborate with universities to ensure that your Associate's degree will fulfill certain degree requirements in aligned Bachelor's degrees.
Degree Requirements
Types of Degrees
Doctorate
Associate
Certificate
Bachelor
Master
More
More
More
More
More
Certificate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Associate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
60-credits or more
Start to align General Ed. w/ career courses
Most careers require higher degree
Not very flexible / adaptable
Choose focus on career or transfer to a higher degree
Trades Health sci Transfer
SlowerSTEM Path
Transfer to higher degree
Terminal degree for some careers
Technical or Academic
Bachelor
Benefits
Challenges
Typically 4-years or more
60-credits or more
Difficult to balance w/ family or work
Degree required for most careers
More expensive to change academic or career path
General Education and Major
Transferable Skills
Larger financial investment
Enables career promotion
Transferability of skills
Master
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Doctorate
Benefits
Challenges
Prescribed list of courses
30-credits
No alignment with General Ed.
Quicker completion
Some careers require higher degree
Toolbox courses
Basic Skills Only
Basic skills only
Does not typically transfer to higher degree
Basic skills to accomplish a job
Focus on essential skills
Degree Elements
Program or degree-specific courses
general education courses (in this State of Missouri this is called the CORE42)
Elective courses
Specific accumulated credit-hours
Minimum grade point average
Degree Criteria
Again, no two people take the same exact path to a degree! Relating this to navigation, there is not one single path from Springfield, Missouri to San Francisco, California. You can expect to have diversions and re-adjust your path along the way.
Degree Criteria
Thus, a student does not just throw together a bunch of interesting courses of their own choosing and expect to earn any degree they want. You may complete the required 60-credit hours to graduate, however, if you did not take a required math course, you will not graduate. You may take all the required courses, however, if you do not earn a minimum GPA (typically 2.0) you will not graduate. Thus, it is important to know the requirements and then work on designing the map to get to your destination successfully
Degree AUDIT
Degree PLAN
Practice Activity
Activity
Login to your MyOTC Dashboard, and practice making adjustments to your "academic planning".
Login to MyOTC
Prove it !
Our goal at OTC is to empower YOU to... seek out; utilize; and demonstrate successful problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Planning activity
A1
A2
A3
Task
Development
Planning
Motivation
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
A4
A5
A6
A7
Evaluation
Synthesis
Development
Development
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
+ Info
We organize
Development activity
Development activity 1
Development activity 2
Development activity 3
Designing the Visual Experience
Interactivity and animation can be key elements in creating impactful visual resources. From tables to charts, leverage these tools to simplify data and enrich your audience's understanding. Remember, visual communication is effective and captivating.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
Bringing Your Ideas to Life
It's time to get down to business. Use your creativity and technical skills to bring your concepts to life. Take advantage of interactivity and animation to make your tables, infographics, and graphics come to life, captivating your audience with every detail.
Preparing the Final Presentation
The moment of truth has arrived! In this final stage, we will organize our work and ensure that everything is ready for its presentation. Review your visual project, prepare the necessary materials, and practice your presentation to ensure that you convey your message clearly and confidently. You are ready to shine before your audience!
Agile Pedagogy PDF
A great title
Connecting the Threads
Review your work and make sure that each element contributes to the overall narrative. Eliminate the superfluous and focus on the essential to create a cohesive and persuasive experience. Synthesis is the key to conveying your message clearly and effectively.
Enhancing Your Visual Impact
Explore new techniques and tools to enhance the visual impact of your content. Experiment with different styles and effects to capture your audience's attention and convey your message in a memorable way.
Refining Your Creation
Do not settle for the ordinary. Perfect every element of your project, ensuring that each interaction and animation contributes to the clarity and understanding of your message. Attention to detail makes the difference between good and exceptional.
Working with Vision
Before diving into creation, develop a detailed plan. Define your goals, identify the necessary tools, and outline the design of your visual resources. A solid planning will ensure an effective andconvincing result.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
Reflecting on Your Creation
Take a moment to critically evaluate your work. Did you achieve your goals? Does your visual content meet the expectations of your audience? Use the feedback to identify areas for improvement and continue refining your creative and technical skills.
A great title
Assessment tool
Inspiring Creativity
Explore your imagination and let creativity flow. Visualize the impact your work will have by using interactive and animated tools. Get ready to captivate your audience and make your content stand out!
Assessment tool
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.
Got an idea?
Bring it to life with an interactive window
Create a new layer with all the Genially features.