Four-Year Student Success Passport 

Sept. 1, 2026  

Your college experience is more than earning a degree. Like a travel passport, it is full of destinations of discovery, growth, achievement, and preparation for a successful future. The Bowie State University Four-Year Student Success Passport serves as your roadmap from your first day on campus through graduation, helping you navigate key academic, engagement, leadership, and career milestones along the way. This ‘passport’ is designed to help you reach certain destinations by making informed decisions, building meaningful connections, staying on track toward graduation, and taking full advantage of the many opportunities available at Bowie State University. As you progress through each destination, remember that your advisors, faculty, and support services are committed to helping you achieve your goals and realize your full potential. Your success begins here, and this passport will help guide you every step of the way toward your walk across the graduation stage! 

Year 1 – First Year Destinations (Thrive, not just Survive)

Your first year is the “make or break” destination for your success at BSU. First-year students who take advantage of academic resources, connect with their advisor, and stay on top of registration and important requirements are significantly more likely to successfully complete their first year and return for their second year.  By completing these milestones, you will build the skills, confidence, and momentum needed to thrive and not just survive your first year! 

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    • READ your BSU emails and text messages on a regular basis!  
    • Attend Campus-wide Academic Events  
      • S.O.A.R. - Student Onboarding & Academic Readiness 
      • Academic Check-in & Majors Fair to assess your progress 
      • Success fest to connect with academic support resources 
    • Complete foundational and general education courses 
    • Participate in department-hosted activities related to your major  
    • Establish an advising relationship with the Academic Advisement Center
    • Connect with the Student Success Center
    • Register EARLY for the next semester  
    • Resolve all administrative and financial holds 
    • Complete Financial Aid Entrance Counseling (if applicable) 
    • Maintain good academic standing for your major  

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    • Participate in Welcome Week and signature campus events 
    • Join at least one student organization
    • Learn campus culture, policies, and expectations 

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    • ~30 credits completed 
    • Strong academic habits established 
    • Sense of connection to Bowie State University 
    • Preliminary major and career interests identified 

Year 2 – Sophomore Year Destinations (Direction & Momentum)

Congratulations! You've successfully completed your first year and are on your way to your next destination. The sophomore year is where you begin to turn potential into purpose by confirming your academic direction, strengthening your involvement on campus, and exploring opportunities that align with your career goals. This is your time to build momentum, develop leadership skills, and take greater ownership of your college experience. 

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    • READ your BSU emails and text messages on a regular basis!  
    • Declare or confirm a major 
    • Continue advising with the Academic Advisement Center or your assigned faculty advisor  
    • Use the Student Success Centers proactively 
    • Complete major prerequisites and 200‑level coursework 
    • Develop a clear academic plan through graduation with your advisor 
    • Register EARLY for the next semester  
    • Resolve all administrative and financial holds 
    • Maintain good academic standing for your major 

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    • Sustain involvement in student organizations 
    • Participate in social justice, entrepreneurial, and civic engagement activities 
    • Explore leadership, campus employment, or service opportunities 

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    • Update résumé and LinkedIn profile 
    • Attend career fairs and employer information sessions 
    • Apply for summer internships or experiential learning opportunities 

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    • ~60 credits completed 
    • Official status within a major 
    • Academic pathway clarified 
    • Internship or experiential plan for junior year 

Year 3 – Junior Year Destinations (Experience & Professional Preparation)

Great work! You are already halfway toward your graduation destination. As a junior, you are entering one of the most transformative stages of your college journey. This is the year when your academic knowledge, skills, and experiences begin to come together as you prepare for life after graduation. Through advanced coursework, hands-on learning opportunities, internships, research experiences, and professional networking, you will strengthen your expertise and build your professional identity. By accomplishing these milestones, every experience you gain this year brings you closer to becoming the professional you aspire to be. 

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    • READ your BSU emails and text messages on a regular basis!  
    • Request to meet with faculty advisor for a pre-graduation review  
    • Use the Student Success Center
    • Complete upper‑division major coursework including portfolios of your best work 
    • Plan and begin capstone, research, or practicum requirements 
    • Prepare for required professional exams (i.e. PRAXIS II - education, TEAS - nursing) 
    • Resolve all administrative and financial holds 
    • Register EARLY for the next semester  
    • Maintain good academic standing for your major 

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    • Complete at least one internship, co‑op, research, or applied learning experience 
    • Engage in project‑based or community‑based learning where available 

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    • Conduct mock interviews and attend campus career fairs  
    • Build faculty and professional relationships for job or graduate school recommendations 
    • Consider post‑graduation goals (employment, military service, or graduate/professional school) 

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    • ~90 credits completed 
    • Internship or significant experiential learning completed 
    • Competitive, career‑ready résumé 
    • Clear post‑graduation direction 

Year 4 – Senior Year Destinations (Completion & Transition)

You did it! You've reached your senior year, the final academic destination. As you prepare to cross the graduation stage, this is your opportunity to bring together the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships you have developed throughout your college career. Your focus now shifts from completing degree requirements to preparing for a successful transition into the workforce, graduate or professional school, military service, or other post-graduation career. Every milestone you accomplish this year moves you one step closer to achieving your goals and realizing the vision you created when you first arrived at Bowie State University. 

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    • READ your BSU emails and text messages on a regular basis!  
    • Apply for graduation by posted deadlines 
    • Complete final portfolios, capstone projects, or practicums 
    • Use the Student Success Centers proactively for finals  
    • Resolve all administrative and financial holds 
    • Maintain good academic standing for your major 
    • Complete Financial Aid Exit Counseling (if applicable) 

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    • Actively apply for jobs and/or graduate or professional school 
    • Finalize résumé, cover letters, portfolios 
    • Secure recommendation letters 
    • Attend senior‑focused career fairs and alumni events 

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    • Bachelor's degree requirements completed and degree conferred  
    • Capstone, senior project, practicum, or other culminating academic experience completed  
    • Career-ready résumé, portfolio, and professional materials finalized  
    • Employment offer, graduate/professional school acceptance, military placement, or a clearly defined post-graduation plan secured  
    • Strong professional network and recommendation base established  
    • Prepared for financial wellness, student loan repayment, and independent professional life  
    • Connected to the Bowie State University Alumni Association and alumni network  
    • Ready to transition from Bowie State student to Bowie State graduate, leader, and lifelong Bulldog 

While graduation marks the completion of this passport, it is not the end of your journey. Rather, it is the beginning of a new adventure filled with opportunities to lead, serve, innovate, and make an impact in your chosen field and community. Carry forward the knowledge, skills, relationships, and resilience you have developed at Bowie State University, knowing that you have been equipped to navigate the road ahead with confidence. Aye, Aye, Aye, Ayyyyy, Bowie!