Compass Career Pathways
Launch and Overview of the Program
Compass Career Pathways began in response to developing the first Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) in Alaska. As the design and implementation planning progressed within the Kodiak College faculty for apprenticeships, it became obvious that this program would be an ideal fit for any individual seeking an innovative approach to completing their degree. The program focuses on best practices in education, such as purposefully pairing courses that have complementary content, and helping students to make connections across higher education disciplines.
Delivery Model
- The Compass Career Pathways program offers two short, complementary 8-week courses twice a semester, so finding a balance between work, family, friends, and college is manageable.
- Students make consistent progress toward their degree because they are still following full-time, 12 credit schedules.
- Not all courses are well-suited to an intensive format for specific learners, so students are welcome to “mix and match” between 8-week and traditional 16-week classes to met their personal needs and schedules.
Benefits
- While shorter classes are more intensive, students’ focus is less divided, and research has shown that students tend to be more successful in shorter college courses.
- A purposeful pairing of courses offered during the same 8-weeks allows content to be reinforced in both courses with complementary overlap in some materials and assignments.
- Additionally, some courses will provide ways for students to demonstrate current competencies (written or oral examinations) allowing for progressing more quickly.
The Proposed Schedule
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Fall 2024, 1st 8-weeks | COMM A241: Public Speaking |
COMM GER |
Fall 2024, 1st 8-weeks | EDEC A105: Introduction to the Field of Early Childhood Education | Social Sciences GER |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Fall 2024, 2nd 8-weeks | ANTH A200: Alaska Native Cultures | Diversity & Inclusion GER, Alaska Native-Themed GER, Social Sciences GER |
Fall 2024, 2nd 8-weeks | ART A160: Art Appreciation | Diversity & Inclusion GER, Fine Arts GER. |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Spring 2025, 1st 8-weeks | WRTG A111: Writing Across Contexts |
Written Communication GER |
Spring 2025, 1st 8-weeks | PSY A111: Introduction to Psychology | Social Sciences GER |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Spring 2025, 2nd 8-weeks | BIOL A102: Introductory Biology | Natural Sciences GER |
Spring 2025, 2nd 8-weeks | COMM A241: Public Speaking | COMM GER |
Depending on placement with ALEKS
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Spring 2025, 16-weeks | MATH A055: Elementary Algebra |
Developmental Math |
Spring 2025, 16-weeks | MATH A105: Intermediate Algebra | Developmental Math |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Fall 2025, 1st 8-weeks | WRTG A212: Writing in the Professions |
Written Communication GER |
Fall 2025, 16-weeks | STAT A200 Elementary Statistics | Quantitative Skills GER |
Note that in this semester students will take a total of three classes. Statistics is 16 weeks.
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Fall 2025, 2nd 8-weeks | AKNS A201: Alaska Native Perspectives |
Diversity & Inclusion GER, Humanities GER, Alaska Native-Themed GER DEED Teacher Alaska Studies Requirement |
Fall 2025, 16-weeks | STAT A200 Elementary Statistics | Quantitative Skills GER |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Spring 2026, 1st 8-weeks | HIST A 131: History of the US I |
Diversity & Inclusion GER, Humanities GER |
Spring 2026, 1st 8-weeks | MATH A211: Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | Elementary and Special Education |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Spring 2026, 2nd 8-weeks | GEOL A111: Planet Earth | Natural Sciences GER |
Spring 2026, 2nd 8-weeks | PSY A150: Lifespan Development | Social Sciences GER |
Semester | Course | Course Attributes |
---|---|---|
Fall 2026, 1st 8-weeks | MATH A211: Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | Education Major |
Fall 2026, 1st 8-weeks | EDFN A300 Philosophical and Social Context of American Education |
ED Capstone GER, DEED Teacher Multicultural Requirement |
References
- Banks Street College of Education. (2022, Spring 5). Registered apprenticeship programs and teacher residences: Building shared understandings between workforce development and education. https://educate.bankstreet.edu/pt/37/
- Liberman, M. (2019, January 29). The long and short of online courses. Inside Higher Education. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/01/30/institutions-experiment-shorter-online-courses-audience
- Barber, J. P. (2020) Facilitating the integration of learning: Five research-based practices to help college students connect learning across disciplines and lived experience. Taylor & Francis Group.