EPCC and UTEP's Auto-Graduation Program Surprises Students with Degrees

El Paso Community College (EPCC) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have been running an auto-graduation program for over 15 years, which automatically awards associate degrees to eligible students without their prior knowledge. The initiative aims to address the low college degree attainment rates in Texas, where only about 33% of students earn a degree within six years. In the 2023-24 academic year, 194 reverse transfer graduates were recorded, primarily from UTEP. The program is crucial as it helps students leverage their credits and skills in the job market, particularly as projections indicate that over 60% of Texas jobs will require post-secondary training by 2031. Students must meet specific criteria, including completing at least 60 credit hours, to qualify for these degrees.

Key Details: • Students must have at least 15 credit hours at EPCC within the past five years. • A total of 60 credit hours, including core requirements, is needed for an associate degree. • The program has recorded 194 reverse transfer graduates in the 2023-24 academic year.