Academics · Adult Learning · Back to college

When you will
actually walk
at graduation.

Type the credits your degree needs, what you already have and how many you can take a term alongside work and family. The calculator lays out every term to the finish and shows what one more course a term would change.

Map my termsWhat you get

The degree timeline calculator

The worked example is made up: a working adult with 47 credits taking three courses a term, summers included. Nothing you type leaves this browser.

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What you get

Academics · Adult LearningFree

What you finish with
The finish term, the terms and years left, a term-by-term plan with running credits, and the finish term at one more course a term. It prints as a plan and downloads as a spreadsheet.
Who it is for
Adults returning to college, students who stopped out and working students planning part-time study.
Format
Browser calculator for a phone, tablet or computer, by touch or keyboard. Prints a plan; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); export and import a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Adult Learning space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Questions, a correction or a request: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Type the credits your degree needs and the credits you have.
  2. Type the credits a term you can manage.
  3. Choose fall and spring, or summer too, and your first term.
  4. Read the finish term and the plan; try one more course a term.
  5. Print the plan or download the spreadsheet for your advising appointment.

Map my terms

How the timeline is worked out

Credits left, divided by pace, laid on a calendar.

The worked example, credits to calendarCredits left73120 − 47 earnedTerms973 ÷ 9, rounded upCalendar3.0 years3 terms a year from Spring 2027FinishFall 2029or Spring 2029 at 12 a termThe worked example, credits to calendarCredits left73120 − 47 earnedTerms973 ÷ 9, rounded upCalendar3.0 years3 terms a year from Spring 2027FinishFall 2029or Spring 2029 at 12 a term
Seventy-three credits at nine a term take 9 terms; enrolling in summer too, that runs from Spring 2027 to Fall 2029.

The arithmetic

Credits left are the credits the degree needs minus those already earned. Each term adds your pace until the total is reached, so the number of terms is credits left divided by pace, rounded up. Terms are then laid on the calendar in order, spring, summer if you take it, then fall, from your first term.

What can change it

A total is not the whole requirement: specific courses, prerequisites that come in sequence and courses offered only some terms can add time, so check the plan against a degree audit. Transfer credits count only once the college evaluates them. Credit for prior learning, such as exams, military training or a portfolio, can shorten the plan.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. Enrollment status and eligibility, including half-time enrollment for Direct Loans (studentaid.gov).
  2. U.S. Department of Education, 34 CFR 600.2: definition of a credit hour.
  3. National Center for Education Statistics. Adult learners and part-time enrollment, Condition of Education (nces.ed.gov).
  4. College Board. CLEP credit-granting policies (clep.collegeboard.org): credit by examination.

The worked example is made up. The plan is arithmetic on your figures; your college’s degree audit decides what is required. Your figures stay in this browser. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.