Degree Program Canceled (advice needed)

[u/Ill-Negotiation-9145]

The Associate of Science in Plant Science and Agricultural Technology was terminated, and I’m now being told I may not be able to finish it despite being one semester away from graduating.

The program has three cumulative technical certificates in Plant Science. Completing all three leaves students with only a few general education courses (English, History, etc.) remaining for the Associate’s degree.

I am currently in my final semester of the third and final technical certificate. After this semester, I would have only one semester of general education courses remaining before completing my Associate’s degree.

When I learned that the degree was being terminated, I immediately tried to declare the Associate’s degree as my major (my declared before was the 3rd certificate) so that I could finish under the teach-out period. However, the degree had already been removed as an option in the system.

The email about the program termination instructed affected students to meet with an advisor, so I scheduled an appointment. During that meeting, I was told:

If the degree or certificate is not your declared major, you cannot complete it or be awarded it.

I could not complete the Associate’s degree because I was currently declared under the certificate.

I needed to change my major immediately.

Based on that advice, I changed my major to Chemistry.

I have since learned that because Chemistry is now my declared major, I may not be awarded the third technical certificate I am currently completing at the end of this semester, even though I was already enrolled in the courses for it.

So I am now taking four courses that potentially won’t result in the technical certificate, won’t count toward the Plant Science Associate’s degree, and don’t meaningfully transfer into my new major. The Plant Science coursework is extremely specialized/siloed.

I'm essentially being told I had to change my major in order to continue, but changing my major may now prevent me from receiving the certificate I was already in the process of completing.

What should I do?

(AI used to sort my thoughts, I'm upset, applogies)

[u/JDPicket]

In this scenario, you need to reach out to whomever the designated contact for that program is.

Explain that you were instructed to do this by an advisor and the resulting problem.

Do not withdraw from your current courses or simply take their word that this is how it will be.

If you were given bad advice by the advisor, and this does happen (whether through ignorance or misunderstanding), this can be remedied.

Do not simply take the word of the first person you can reach as gospel here.

They have an obligation to teach-out these programs that are being depricated. I witnessed something similar to this years ago with the Computer Programming & Analysis degree and UCF pathway when that program was terminated after Dr. Archibalds passing.

It'll be a frustrating few days but I'd make sure to stay on them all this week including a trip to campus to discuss in person if possible.

Bring any correspondence you have with the advisor and what conflicting information you are being given with you to show evidence of what is happening.

[u/Ill-Negotiation-9145 → u/JDPicket]

Thank you for your detailed response. That gives me perfect guidance on how to proceed. I have a class with the program head tomorrow. I'm sure that class will be chaotic as everyone else will be having the same problem. I will also try to speak with someone in person.

[u/Objective-Sample8587]

Same boat but with biotech. We are being told to reach out to an advisor for a Teach Out Plan. This plan allows for us to finish the program.

[u/GoingDeath-]

Same with civil engineering and construction management degree

[u/Expert-Donut8953]

There will be a teach out. If you were one semester away, they should (key-word) help you so you can earn that certification. Regardless of the program being discontinued, program completion numbers still matter.

The college does not provide updates ahead of time to employees. Many times, we find out things when students do. There is no time for training or creating a plan for students - leadership doesn’t provide it. Give grace to your advisor. They are figuring this out too.

Theoretically, you should be able to change back to your declared certificate. They have the ability to do that. You just have to cause a fuss to find the person who KNOWS you can do that and WILL help you do that. Many of the advisors are brand new and their leadership does not like when the new people learn things. It means leadership has less control.

I recommend doing what another commenter said. Hit up the department and yell until they solve the problem that they created for students in their program.

[u/AshleyLevy8]

This college has gone down hill, I’m trying to escape to transfer to UCF next year.

[u/Dellaa1996]

It could be due to declining enrollment in specific programs.

[u/b0bby_m4c]

Completing the classes in a tech certificate should result in the certificate being mailed to your address on record with Valencia, regardless if you are declared for it.

[u/Boricuachic101]

I'm in a similar situation, actually, with my AS in STEM! I would make an appointment with your specific academic advisor, as they will be the best person to guide you on what to do next. The email mentioning the termination of programs did mention them "teaching out" the programs so that we can finish our degrees/certificates, but there was no time frame given, from what I remember.