Route 38 allows all full-time traditional undergraduate students to take summer courses for free.
Only 44% of college students complete their bachelor’s degree in four years. That’s according to a study from the National Center for Education Statistics. So why do they call it a “four-year degree” if the majority of students pursuing it cannot finish in four years?
College is a transitional time where young adults explore new ideas and find their place in this world. They are challenged with rigorous coursework, adapting to new routines, and in many cases, it is their first time living independently without their parents to remind them to make their bed. College is a whole new world, and with it comes a whole new array of opportunities. There are clubs, athletics, student organizations, campus activities, and all sorts of other fun ways to experience new things, or enjoy the things you already love to do. Many students also work part-time jobs while in school, or have a variety of other on- or off-campus time commitments; clinical rotations, internships, volunteering, service projects, and so on. With all of these time commitments to juggle, is it really any surprise that students aren’t finishing their degree in four years?
There’s nothing wrong with going beyond the traditional four-year timeframe to complete your degree. Education is an investment in your future, and you can go at whatever pace is right for you. But the cost of that investment can add up quickly. Every additional semester can mean thousands of dollars more in student loans. Route 38 helps you save money while going at your own pace.
How Route 38 works
Route 38 gives you 38 credits to allocate between fall, spring, and summer. If you maintain full-time status (12-18 credits) for both the fall and spring terms, then the following summer, you can take your remaining credits (up to a grand total of 38 per year) at no extra charge. You pay the regular full-time tuition rate for fall and spring, and the summer courses are free.
Your college years are some of the best and most memorable years of your life. You’ll never forget going to practice every day, working with your teammates to get better at your sport. You’ll never forget the time spent at campus activities, or with student organizations and clubs, learning and experiencing new things. You’ll never forget the friends you make, or the adventures you go on with them. These things are all vital to your experience at Concordia. With Route 38, you can lighten your course load during the school year to make time for your life outside of the classroom. You can then take summer courses, for free, so that you can stay on track to graduate on time.
Related: On the fast (and flexible) track
Accelerate your education
Beyond just keeping up, you can also utilize Route 38 to get ahead. Take courses over the summer to accelerate your education and graduate early. Or, leverage the program to take additional classes and earn a second major or a minor. Concordia also offers innovative programs that allow students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just four years. Route 38 can help you manage the intensive curriculum and begin your career with a master’s degree. Examples of these fast track programs include:
- Business Scholars – B.S. and M.B.A.
- Computer Science Scholars – B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science
- Justice and Public Policy Scholars – B.S. in JPP and M.S. in Organizational Leadership & Administration
- Athletic Training Dual Degree – B.S. in Sports Medicine and M.S. in Athletic Training
Route 38 gives you the flexibility you need to make your college experience your own. Go at your own pace. Do the things you want to do, without falling behind. College is a unique time in your life that you’ll only experience once. It’s an investment in you, setting yourself up for an uncommon life of purpose. Get the most out of your investment and your education with Concordia’s Route 38.
For more information, visit the Route 38 website.
— Meg Hewitt is the Marketing Strategist for Concordia University Ann Arbor. She may be reached at megan.hewitt@cuaa.edu.
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