Prospective students can request further information about the university’s innovative degree completion program.

Meet “John,” who has a good job at a tech company, but he has climbed as high as he can go because he doesn't hold a bachelor's degree. His wife works in the medical field, and they have two young children; the second was a surprise for them and has strained them financially. He wants to stay with his current company, but until he earns a degree, he can't move up or make more money. 

Then there is “Jane,” who has worked in retail management her entire career and relies on commission. She feels stuck in sales, but also knows, without a degree, she won't find a traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job that equates to the same pay. 

Even though many people are excellent at what they do, the lack of a degree can hold them back from career growth, financial advancement and overall personal satisfaction.  

Texas Tech University Online aims to help alleviate that hurdle with its new $10K Degree Completion Program which is accessible through the recently opened Texas Tech DFW site in Irving, Texas. Interested learners can request information here. 

The initiative is designed to offer an affordable and flexible pathway for non-traditional students who have accumulated some college credits but have not yet completed their bachelor's degree. It also is an ideal option for working professionals seeking to advance their careers through higher education.  

Texas Tech Provost Ron Hendrick is confident of the prospects this completion path can provide to so many people.  

“This program offers access to a Texas Tech undergraduate degree for the tens of thousands of individuals who commenced their studies but had to pause due to various reasons such as family obligations, financial constraints or work commitments,” Hendrick said. 

Many studies, including reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), confirm that workers' earnings increase as educational attainment rises, and that earnings improved with every level of education completed. BLS data also show that more education means less unemployment, with unemployment rates decreasing as education increased.  

“Depending on industry and field of degree, each level of education you complete may help you develop the skills to qualify for higher paying jobs. And educational credentials can signal to employers that you're able to plan ahead, meet deadlines and follow through on other important tasks,” one BLS report indicated. 

With Texas Tech's degree completion path, students can begin their educational journey with no financial commitment through free microcredential courses offered as a blend of online learning and in-person supplemental instruction at the Irving site. Participants also can leverage their previous work and life experience to earn up to nine free credit hours through the program's prior learning assessment process. Those nine, plus the 12 free microcredential hours, are equivalent to 21 credit hours at no cost.  

Upon completion of the microcredentials, learners will be admitted to the bachelor's program and finish the remainder of their courses online, choosing between a Bachelor of Arts in University Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies. 

Brian Still, vice provost for Texas Tech University Online, says this program is about so much more than completing a degree. 

“We understand that a college degree not only enhances earning potential in the workforce but also instills a profound sense of achievement,” Still said. “For students facing such circumstances, this program offers an accessible and affordable pathway back into education by leveraging microcredentialing and recognizing prior experiences for academic credit.” 

For those who have completed at least 80 credit hours, the bachelor's degree is attainable for as little as $10,000. For individuals with fewer than 80 hours, the program will work to make the degree as affordable as possible, but the cost might be slightly higher than $10K. This still presents significant cost savings compared to traditional degree completion pathways, enhancing affordability for students. Individual pricing will vary based on each student's transfer credits and prior learning experiences. An adviser will assist students in estimating total cost. 

Throughout the program, students can take advantage of flexible course offerings, including online and hybrid formats, allowing them to balance education with work and other commitments. The cost-effective and convenient program is something “John,” “Jane” and a multitude of students in similar circumstances could certainly find useful.