UOG Announces Five-Year Academic Master Plan to Boost Student Success

鈥淭he Academic Master Plan reflects our commitment to academic excellence and student achievement, ensuring that our programs remain relevant and responsive to the challenges and opportunities of today鈥檚 world,鈥� said Dr. Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Senior Vice President and Provost.
 
Developed over the past year and a half through collaboration among the program faculty, academic units, planning committees, and Faculty Senate, the AMP was formally endorsed by the UOG Board of Regents during a special session on May 29. It will go into effect at the start of the Fanuch氓nan (Fall) 2025 semester.

New Academic Framework, Tangible Student Benefits

The AMP includes tailored plans for every academic program at UOG, with a focus on four core goals: academic excellence, innovative and creative scholarly research, student success, and community engagement. Each program identified strategies and measurable outcomes aligned with these goals.
 
The plan also introduces several institution-wide policies that are expected to significantly benefit students:

Key Benefits for Students Under the New Academic Master Plan

Faster Paths to Graduation:

Students will now need 120 credits (instead of 124) to graduate, making it easier to finish on time.
The number of upper-division credits required to graduate is reduced from 40 to 36, giving students more flexibility in planning their schedules.

Simplified Transfers and Credit Recognition:

Students who transfer with an associate degree from any accredited U.S. institution will have already met their General Education requirements.
New articulation agreements with regional colleges will make it easier for transfer students to join UOG and stay on track to graduate.

Stronger Career Preparation:

All degree programs will now include an internship requirement, ensuring students graduate with real-world experience in their fields of study.
UOG will also expand options for earning college credit through Advanced Placement exams, where applicable.

More Transparent and Supportive Planning:

UOG will publish a full-year course schedule so students can plan ahead and graduate sooner.
Prerequisites will be more clearly listed and communicated, reducing delays in course planning.

Focused Support and Community Engagement:

Every college and school at UOG will have a new advisory council made up of professionals and community members, helping ensure academic programs stay relevant and connected to real-world needs.
The University will develop new pathways and cohort models for non-traditional students, supporting adult learners and those returning to school.

Strategic Growth and Investment:

UOG will actively seek grants and new funding opportunities to support academic innovation and student success.
Plans are also in place to boost enrollment and improve retention through these and other initiatives.

鈥淭hese changes reflect best practices from universities across the country and are intended to enhance the UOG experience by supporting timely graduation, real-world readiness, and academic planning,鈥� said Dr. Christopher Garcia-Santos, associate professor of English Composition and Faculty Senate President.
 
鈥淲e continue to bridge the gap between college curriculum and lifelong learning and service, especially as our students join the workforce and give back to their communities,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he AMP is the University鈥檚 guide to facilitate and accomplish this end.鈥�

Staying Adaptable

While the AMP provides a structured academic vision, UOG leadership emphasized that the plan will remain responsive to the changing landscape of higher education.
 
鈥淎s we begin implementing the plan in the coming months, we will continually assess and improve our strategies,鈥� Santos-Bamba said. 鈥淎daptability is key to ensure that we are addressing the evolving needs of our students and faculty, as well as the dynamic nature of higher education.鈥�

The full Academic Master Plan is available on the UOG Academic and Student Affairs website at