Pathways 101
The basics of Guided Pathways: what it is, essential practices, and resources to get you started.
What is the Guided Pathways model?
Guided Pathways is a comprehensive college framework for redesigning the student experience so that students can seamlessly move from enrollment to career-readiness, and thus more easily reach the goals they have for themselves. It simplifies choices, boosts completion rates, and aligns education with job market needs.
At its core, the model uses clear program maps outlining course sequences, progress milestones, and learning outcomes. These plans simplify student decision-making and allow colleges to offer predictable schedules, frequent feedback, and targeted support to keep students on track with the goals set by students themselves.
This overview is excerpted from a longer unpublished document developed by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) and the AACC Pathways Project.
Essential Practices
The Guided Pathways model is built on four key essential practices—often referred to as “pillars”—that guide colleges in supporting student success. The model expands on these practices, turning them into a holistic, actionable guide for implementing and sustaining Guided Pathways reforms across the institution.
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
Help Students Get on a Path
Provide proactive advising and career exploration resources to help students choose a path early
Help Students Stay on Their Path
Assess and redesign your student support systems, ensuring every student gets the guidance and services they need to succeed on their terms
Ensure that students are learning
Integrate effective teaching and learning practices, and intentionally assess engagement
Make the Case for Guided Pathways
Success Stories + Impact
Support Student Success
History of Pathways
Key Resources
What We Are Learning About Guided Pathways
This practitioner packet explores guided pathways implementation, showcasing promising evidence from early adopters. It includes an overview of key practices, case studies with student success data, and guidance on timelines, processes, and measuring effectiveness to support colleges in achieving long-term improvements.
What We Are Learning About Guided Pathways
What We Are Learning About Guided PathwaysSee the impact of Guided Pathways
Guided Pathways at Kirkwood Community College
This impact study explores Kirkwood Community College’s implementation of the Guided Pathways framework to support student success. Through self-study and strategic planning, the college improved advising, onboarding, and career-aligned pathways, leading to increased student persistence and retention.
Guided Pathways at Kirkwood Community College
Guided Pathways at Kirkwood Community CollegePathways Through the Bluegrass: Reform at Bluegrass Community and Technical College
This article explores Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) Guided Pathways reforms. By defining Career Pathways, redesigning advising, launching MyMajors, and creating Pathway Learning Communities, BCTC improved retention, graduation rates, and student engagement.
Pathways Through the Bluegrass: Reform at Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Pathways Through the Bluegrass: Reform at Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeWild Thinkers: Linn-Benton Community College’s Creative and Collaborative Approach to Guided Pathways Reform
This impact study details Linn-Benton Community College’s grassroots approach to Guided Pathways. By prioritizing faculty and staff creativity, the college fostered a cultural transformation, ensuring guided pathways became an integrated, long-term strategy rather than a standalone project.
Wild Thinkers- Linn-Benton Community College’s Creative and Collaborative Approach to Guided Pathways Reform
Wild Thinkers: Linn-Benton Community College’s Creative and Collaborative Approach to Guided Pathways Reform Wild Thinkers: Linn-Benton Community College’s Creative and Collaborative Approach to Guided Pathways Reform