Waldron College of Health and Human Services Parallel Plans Loretta Estes and Tabitha Greear Waldron College of Health & Human Services

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Goals of Presentation What is a parallel plan and why do students need one? Advantages of having a parallel plan for students and advisors Challenges Implementation

Waldron College of Health and Human Services What is a Parallel Plan? A parallel plan is an additional major option or “Plan B” that a student chooses. Many students want their choice of major, even though the majors have competitive and limited admissions. Or the student’s interest and career plans change over time. Having a parallel plan helps them choose similar course requirements so they can pursue similar opportunities with a different major.

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Advantages of a Parallel Plan Students are devastated when they are not admitted to the major of their choice; having a parallel plan gives them another choice without being in panic mode. Having the parallel plan helps alleviate stress and anxiety in the future should their first choice not work out. Their “four year plan” may not be extended, depending on the choice of plans. Only one-third of Pre-Nursing freshmen eventually complete a Nursing degree.

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Challenges of a Parallel Plan Students are focused on one major (either their decision or their parents’) and do not want to look at a different plan. This does require effort on the part of the student, and sometimes if they are not successful academically, they do not want to put forth the effort. Their parallel plan may not be reasonable or it may take five or six years to graduate.

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Questions Students Should Ask Themselves What is your desired career? Why? How strong is your overall academic record? In science courses? What courses do you enjoy the most? What courses do you prefer not to take? What courses are you most successful in? What courses interest you the most? Why? What are your strongest skills? Who is the one person you admire the most? What is their occupation? What other majors/careers have you considered?

Waldron College of Health and Human Services How to Determine a Parallel Plan Take the Focus2 assessment test through the Career Center. Then meet with a career advisor to explore how interests, skills and personality connect to occupations. Use the Majors/Minors list from the Advising Website to look at Radford University offerings. Job shadow or interview a professional. Volunteer in the career area of interest. Look at transferable skills (critical thinking, empathy, technical abilities)

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Implementing the Parallel Plan Once a parallel major is selected, student meets with someone in that major to research GPA and course requirements. Ask which occupations their alumni have chosen. Student prepares a schedule for the next semester for their major of first choice, then a second schedule which includes the parallel choice.

Waldron College of Health and Human Services Other Universities Using Parallel Plans University of Minnesota Ball State University

What do you think some of the pros and cons would be to utilizing D2L as an advising preparation for your students? With what technology initiatives are you finding success? Discussion and Questions