In just the first year and a half, the degree completion path has been a resounding win for the university and the students it has served thus far.
Even though the approximate cost of the program is in its title, Texas Tech University’s $10K Degree Completion Program that rolled out through Texas Tech Online at Texas Tech DFW in May 2024 and in El Paso in February 2025 is priceless for its graduates.
Designed for working adults who started college but never finished, the pathway helps students turn previously earned credits, professional experience and flexible online learning into a clear, affordable path to graduation.
Cheryl Holtman, a Texas Tech employee and a December 2024 graduate at age 54, was in the first cohort of students to begin the program – in fact, she was the first one to apply. It had been more than 30 years since she started as a part-time student at the university.
She reflects on the moment she heard her name called when she walked the stage.
“I love the program. I think everybody should do it,” she said, smiling as the emotions welled up. “If you need it, you should do it, whether that need is because you want to advance your career, or because you just need to do it for you. The confidence it built in me is worth way more than the $10K.”
The program allows students to begin with no upfront cost through short, skill-based microcredential courses. These courses count toward their degree and allow students to “test drive” college again without financial risk. Through microcredentials and prior learning assessment, students can earn up to 21 college credit hours, nearly an entire year of college, before ever paying tuition.
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 Interdisciplinary Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies. Both programs are designed for working adults who need flexibility without sacrificing academic quality.
Another example of the program’s impact is Steven Ford, a professional firefighter who returned to college more than two decades after first enrolling. After beginning his degree in 1999, Ford spent years building his career and supporting his family, while harboring the goal of finishing his education.
(Video: Steven Ford completed a bachelor’s degree he started in 1999.)
Through Texas Tech Online’s $10K Degree Completion Program, he was able to leverage his previous coursework and professional experience to complete a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies and walk the stage in May 2025.
“I always wanted to finish my degree, but life kept getting in the way,” Ford said. “This program gave me a realistic path to finally do it.”
His journey reflects the program’s ability to help adult learners turn unfinished college credits into a meaningful academic and personal milestone, no matter how much time has passed.
According to Rachel Minshew, director of $10K Student Success, the program has seen over 400 enrollments and more than 70 complete their degree since its inception less than two years ago. The graduates’ average age is 39. Since the students are typically online, they’re all “from a distance,” but the student who traveled the farthest for Saturday classes in DFW so far, is from Altadena, California. The student that has traveled the farthest for Saturday classes in El Paso is from Carlsbad, New Mexico.
“I’m incredibly proud of the impact the $10K Degree Completion Program has had on working adult learners,” Minshew said. “By removing barriers and providing a supportive path back to higher education, the program empowers students to finish what once felt out of reach. Seeing them regain momentum toward their bachelor’s degrees has been one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”
Greg Dotson, a decorated Purple Heart recipient, is retired from the Army. He has been employed by Fluor Corp. for 13 years in contract management but also has project experience in the field and works heavily in the data privacy and security spaces. He finished his degree through the $10K program in August 2025.
One important thing he and his fellow students talked about was walking the stage at graduation and seeing so many of their peers able to do the same. Despite demanding work schedules and family responsibilities, Dotson completed his degree without stepping away from his career.
“I just turned 45. I have four children, a full-time job I work 60 hours a week, and I was still able to finish college,” he said. “Having the opportunity to walk was huge. With a lot of other online programs, you don’t get the opportunity to do that. It was a big deal.”
Overall, graduates of the program resoundingly report increased confidence, expanded career opportunities and stronger earning potential, positioning them for long-term professional growth.
