Clarify the Paths


Develop clear program maps that outline the sequence of courses and skills students need for their desired degree completion and career opportunities. Identify meta-majors or clusters of related programs to support students in exploring their options.


Foundations

Understand your context and the work of clarifying the paths for students.

This guide explores evidence-based practices for helping students navigate academic and career pathways. It supports institutions in leveraging data to align programs with high-opportunity careers and transfer options, ensuring students achieve long-term success.

Creating Guided Pathways to Prosperity and Equity

This assessment guides colleges in evaluating their readiness to implement integrated advising and student support models. Adapted from a larger resource by Achieving the Dream, it helps institutions identify strengths and areas for improvement in student support services. College leaders can use this tool to enhance student success initiatives.

Integrated Advising and Student Supports Readiness Assessment

Re-Designed Websites that Clarify Credential and Career Paths for Students

Examples of how colleges are building digital resources to support students and clarify academic pathways.

An example of an accessible, student-friendly website that organizes academic programs around clear career pathways, integrating workforce and transfer planning tools.

Cleveland State Community College Website

This redesigned website improves navigation and accessibility, incorporating meta majors, program maps, labor market data, and transfer pathways to enhance student decision-making.

Macomb Community College Website

Developed by the Community College Research Center, this toolkit is designed for institutional leaders and policymakers seeking to improve student placement practices. It outlines the rationale for employing multiple measures in assessment and placement while offering design options to promote evidence-based decision-making.

Multiple Measures Assessment Project

This website showcases career communities, structured program sequences, and transfer resources, making it easier for students to explore and plan academic pathways.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Website

How to Design Websites that Work

Well-designed website that prioritizes plain language, clear navigation, and the ways in which students are looking for support will transform your institution’s ability to help students navigate college, plan academics, and explore careers. Use these insights to create user-friendly tools that streamline pathways and transfers.

This report analyzes community college websites in Florida and Ohio, identifying best practices for presenting guided pathways information. College leaders can use these recommendations to refine their online resources and improve student access to academic planning tools.

Helping Community College Students Climb the Transfer Ladder

College websites are essential tools for communicating academic programs, transfer options, and career pathways. This resource provides insights on how institutions can enhance website accessibility and usability to support student decision-making and success.

Websites that Support Guided Pathways Initiatives