DataYouCanUse@NOVA: Guiding General Studies Students Toward High-Wage Careers

At NOVA, we are committed to providing equitable access to exceptional education and career opportunities for all students. As part of the VCCS Accelerate Opportunity 2030 Strategic Plan, our collective goal is to ensure that students don’t just earn credits, but that they earn meaningful credentials leading to high-demand careers. One important  opportunity we have is guiding our general studies students toward clear, structured pathways aligned with the future of work in the region. With shifts in state policy, transfer agreements and workforce needs, each of us plays an essential role in helping students in general studies navigate their options.

Why General Studies Needs an Even Stronger Career Focus: General studies has long been a flexible transfer degree choice for students exploring different academic interests. However, recent data suggests that many students in this program may need more intentional guidance to reach their goals.

Declining Enrollment: As reported in the NOVA Fact Book, general studies enrollment at NOVA has dropped from 8,280 students in fall 2019 to 4,473 in fall 2023. This is reflective of broader community college enrollment trends and underscores the importance of retention and engagement strategies.

Transfer Without Completion: According to the Office of Strategic Insights (OSI), each year approximately three-quarters of NOVA students that transfer to a four-year institution do so without obtaining a NOVA credential. While transfer is a key pathway, leaving without a credential or awareness of social mobility factors can limit career opportunities and financial stability.

Statewide Changes to General Education Transfer: Virginia’s Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) aims to ensure that a 30-31 credit package transfers fully to any public four-year institution. This means that NOVA students may no longer need a general studies degree to ensure transferability and could be better served if we guide them toward credential completion in career-aligned pathways that map to the college and VCCS strategic plan.

Equitable Access: National data from the Community College Research Center indicates that Black, Hispanic and Pell-eligible students are overrepresented in most general studies degree programs, which often do not lead directly to careers in high-wage, high-demand fields. To address these disparities, early career advising is essential to help students transition from general studies to fields with stronger labor market outcomes.

The Role of Faculty and Staff: Moving Students from Exploration to Action: Northern Virginia’s economy is evolving rapidly. Employers are looking for candidates with technical skills, industry certifications and clear credentials; students should be guided toward these opportunities. Here’s how we can help:

Shift the Focus from Exploring to Deciding: Many general studies students start their journey uncertain about their career path. Faculty and staff can help them make informed decisions early by:

• encouraging career exploration in the first semester, through advising, career services and employer partnerships;
• using real-time workforce data to show students what jobs are available and what credentials they need;
• highlighting high-demand career options and integrating career advising into classroom discussions.

Promote Completion Before Transfer: Leaving NOVA with a degree or credential strengthens students’ earning potential and career prospects. Faculty and staff can help by:

• using classroom discussion to advise students on the benefits of completing their associate degree before transferring;
• leveraging the Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) as a structured transfer tool while ensuring students take courses relevant to their intended major;
• referring students to NOVA Workforce programs and FastForward credentials that provide accelerated career opportunities.

Stay Connected & Share Your Ideas: This article is part of the @NOVA series, where we bring insights to drive action. To learn more about how NOVA is advancing student success, visit the Accelerate Opportunity Dashboard. For more on the DataYouCanUse@NOVA series, please reach out to Dr. Nathan Carter, chief institutional effectiveness & inclusion officer, or Sam Shi, associate vice president in the Office of Strategic Insights.

—Dr. Nathan Carter, Chief Institutional Effectiveness & Inclusion Officer