From 2+2 to A+B: Redefining Transfer Pathways for Today’s Learners

Past models of transfer pathways have been too rigid and speed-focused for modern learners’ needs. They require flexible models that meet them where they’re at.

For decades, community college students transferring to four-year universities have followed what’s known as the 2+2 model—two years at a community college followed by two years at a university. It’s an elegant idea on paper, but for today’s students, especially adult and re-entry learners balancing work, family and education, the 2+2 equation rarely works as intended.

At the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), we recognized that this traditional structure was leaving many students behind. We needed a transfer approach that matched how students actually progress through their education, not how institutions wish they would. That realization led to the creation of the A+B Pathway. The A+B Pathway is a more flexible and inclusive model designed to simplify transfer planning and promote degree completion on the learner’s timeframe. In the process, the student completes both their associate and bachelor’s degrees in their field of study.

Why the 2+2 Model No Longer Fits 

The 2+2 model was built for a different generation of learners. It assumes full-time enrollment, uninterrupted study and a lockstep progression through a set curriculum. For traditional-age students living on or near campus, that model still has value. But for adult learners, parents, veterans and working professionals, education looks very different.

Today’s students often attend part time, take breaks between semesters or accumulate credits from multiple institutions. They may change majors or transfer colleges in the middle of completing a degree. Many juggle full-time employment and caregiving responsibilities while pursuing a degree that will improve their career prospects.

For these students, a rigid, semester-by-semester 2+2 plan can feel unrealistic and even intimidating. It can also create unnecessary anxiety about falling behind, when they are in fact progressing steadily toward a meaningful goal. The psychological barrier of completing a degree using the 2+2 model creates unnecessary anxiety for students progressing at their own rate. At UIS, we wanted a framework that met students where they are—one that reflected flexibility, recognized achievement and clarified a path forward without boxing anyone into a timeline that doesn’t fit their personal and professional needs.

Introducing the A+B Pathway 

The A+B Pathway is a new way of describing the community college-to-university transfer journey.

• The A represents the associate degree earned at a community college. This may be an Associate of Arts, Associates of Science or an Associated of Applied Science.
• The B represents the bachelor’s degree completed at UIS. 

Unlike traditional 2+2 guides, which prescribe a detailed sequence of courses by semester and often only allow the inclusion of Associate of Arts degree programs, the A+B format groups requirements by category—general education, major coursework, electives and so forth—which allows for flexibility in scheduling, course availability and personalized pace of completion.

Instead of asking, “What should I take in my third semester?” students ask, “Which of these categories have I completed, and what comes next?” The model empowers students to track progress and make informed decisions alongside their advisors, rather than following a rigid checklist.

A Simpler, More Accessible Transfer Experience 

The A+B framework removes barriers that often discourage adult learners from completing their degrees in several important ways: 

1. It emphasizes completion over speed. Students can take the time they need to finish the A portion of their degree, knowing they have a clear and welcoming path to the B portion.
2. It values the associate degree as an achievement in itself. Completing an associate degree is not merely a milestone. It’s a credential that increases employability and confidence.
3. It provides clarity without pressure. By grouping courses into categories rather than semesters, students see the big picture and the value of their educational progress.
4. It supports equity in access. Many adult and re-entry students feel intimidated by complex articulation charts or fear that prior coursework won’t count. A+B simplifies the message: Complete your associate degree, and your next step is clearly defined.

This model also benefits advising teams. Advisors at both the community college and university level can use a consistent, transparent framework that supports personalized discussions with each student. 

Collaboration and Faculty Engagement at UIS 

UIS has launched A+B Pathways for three initial programs—business administration, legal studies and elementary education—with more programs currently in development. Each pathway was reviewed and approved through collaboration among UIS faculty, department chairs and community college partners.

This faculty-led process ensures the pathways maintain academic integrity and align seamlessly with UIS program outcomes. It also creates stronger relationships between institutions, allowing for ongoing dialogue about curriculum alignment and student success strategies.

Early results are encouraging. Advisors report that A+B materials are easier to use and easier to explain and are customizable to help students meet their degree goals. Students describe the format as less intimidating and more motivating, particularly adult re-entry students returning to school after several years away. The A+B framework allows them to visualize progress, complete needed general education courses and believe in the possibility of completion, one step at a time.

Meeting Adult Re-Entry Students Where They Are 

Adult learners are a vital part of Illinois’ higher education ecosystem, yet they often face the steepest barriers to completion. Many already hold significant college credit but lack a clear map to a degree. Others left school before finishing because life intervened through work, children, caregiving or military service.

A+B pathways signal that there is a place for these students in higher education. The model celebrates the associate degree as both a professional credential and a steppingstone toward the bachelor’s degree. It honors prior achievement and focuses on what’s possible next. For re-entry students, the A+B model sends a powerful message: Your path is still open, and it’s designed especially for you.

A New Equation for Student Success 

The A+B model reframes transfer as a continuum of achievement rather than a one-time transition. By focusing on flexibility, transparency and completion, we can help more students reach their goals on a timeline that reflects their real lives.

At UIS, this approach has already begun to change how we talk about transfer. It shifts the narrative from “two years here, two years there” to “your degree, your way.” And for adult learners especially, that’s the equation that adds up to success. UIS, as many institutions that seek ways to improve the transfer experience, champions and celebrates the returning adult student.