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Degree Coaches are experienced professionals from the higher education sector, they are subject matter experts with a proven track record of facilitating student success in the college environment.
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Coaches work one-on-one with each student customizing the program to their individual needs. The Degree Coach program is a hybrid combining elements of academic advising with life skills coaching.
We start by meeting each student wherever they are in terms of their personal development and college experience; together we identify both goals and challenges. The program continues with frequent coaching sessions where we discuss academic and non-academic concerns, available resources, and strategize to collaboratively problem solve through any issues.
Coaches assist students to create an academic plan incorporating enrichment opportunities (study abroad, internships, etc.) and coursework from the current term through graduation. In addition, each coaching session is focused on the development of a particular life skill (time management, decision-making, motivation, self-advocacy, etc.).
Between coaching sessions, students practice incorporating these skills into their daily lives. Regular meetings allow the student and coach to develop a rapport, building trust and ensuring accountability. Some students work with a coach for the short term to address a particular challenge while others utilize a coach for their entire college career.
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Coaching sessions are available online to students anywhere in the world or in person if in the Austin, Texas area. We utilize a variety of online programs to share documents securely and communicate with students during and in between coaching sessions. Discussions and correspondence between students and coaches are confidential as this increases honest dialog and disclosure. If applicable, parents receive regular reports related to student progress in the Degree Coach program but do not have access to the specific content of coach/student interactions.
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Our research showed that the effects of coaching is statistically significant. First-year college students who were coached were more likely to persist in college; we observed a 9 to 12 percent increase in retention. We also found that the effect of coaching on persistence does not diminish over time. Coached students were more likely to persist in college after 18 months and 24 months; roughly a 15 percent increase in college retention. College students can benefit from coaching even after their first year. In terms of completion, we found that coached students had graduation rates four percentage points higher than uncoached students after four years.(1)
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No. Ultimately the only person who can control success or failure in college is the student. Coaching is a very personal endeavor, buy in and collaboration from all parties is essential. Likewise, navigating the college environment and the coursework required to earn any degree is challenging. While we cannot guarantee good grades and degree completion we can say with absolute certainty that any student in the Degree Coach program will have the advantage of expert guidance, knowledge of resources, and develop the skills to succeed. We empower students to meet their goals, take advantage of every opportunity, and maximize the college experience.
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FOOTNOTES
Bettinger, E., Baker, R. (2011), The Effects of Student Coaching in College: An Evaluation of a Randomized Experiment in Student Mentoring. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series. URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w16881
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