That might not be the case with you, Jasmine, so ultimately I would encourage you to choose which feels like the best thing to do for YOU in the long run, not for others. 2. Also here in NC, if you transfer in to a university, and you exceed a certain number of credit hours during your course of study (I think it’s 10 percent more than the published number of needed hours for your degree, or about 4 classes), you get to pay a ‘tuition surcharge.’ This can easily wipe out your savings on the first two years. Dont let the haters & nay sayers decide YOUR life. You can also contact the 4-year enrollment/academic advisor and have them to review your transcript, your goal (major), and you next course of action. So, check the credit hour tuition rates at the institutions you attended or are contemplating. Universities often are selective with the credits that they accept when those credits didn’t lead to a degree. Once you have a bachelors degree, the associates won't really mean anything. I would get the A.A just in case, you’ll find what you’re looking for but its nice to have something to fall back on just in case. That rgiht there is a great reason NOT to get an AA. Getting an AA degree can be a nice feather in your cap and an accomplishment. And they don’t usually know what the requirements are at other schools. If enough of your courses transfer, you’ll start at the four-year college as a junior. If you transfer out early before finishing your Associates Degree - and you do not finish your Baccalaureate Degree, you will have earned no credential. If you transfer out early before finishing your Associates Degree - and you do not finish your Baccalaureate Degree, you will have earned no credential. But there’s a little info for you to chew on, and I am betting that some of our readers here will chime in with their experience in this area to help you along. So don’t let it bother you that not everyone sees things the way you do. Good luck! Who Is Eligible For The Teacher Scholarships. Good luck! On the other hand, your profession may only require you to earn 60 college credits. Before you start earning your associate degree, ask yourself if you think you’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree at any point. This means not finishing can cheat you out of some money. Could have cut those down by spending another semester at CC. Majors Safe From Outsourcing: Review the top list of programs and majors safe from outsourcing in today's global economy. I am part of a STARS (transfer program) so it makes sure I only take core classes that I need AND that will transfer to whichever university I want to transfer to. They think I should complete my associate degree then transfer. You do NOT need an AA, and most 4 year schools will only take 60 credits. If you have been awarded or are pursuing an AA-T or AS-T degree from your California Community College and wish to transfer to the California State University, you must: have earned or be completing an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) at the time you apply; have completed a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis and an approved set of general … 1. Other Articles and AskCT Questions may be worth exploring. Open a Student Passport account. Finally, if you are ready to prepare for transfer, open an account next and utilize the system to find your way. will be reduced to two years. Transfer can be proactive and reactive. Generally the answer is yes - finish what you start. Good luck! Upload documents securely. I have decided that I wanted to complete my core classes here then transfer. Next post: Pay Back Loans On A Nurse’s Salary? Potential future enrollment may discount the education's value as well. So, finishing courses that can transfer and be counted as equivalent - offers a significant savings. Don’t just blindly take advice from people you trust about important life decisions, find out for yourself what decisions you should make to accomplish your goals or to make yourself happy in the future. I am currently attending a community college as well & had always planned on transferring to the university in my town to get my bachelor’s in design. Explore the Top Ten Reasons Students and Learners Transfer. Hope this helps some! With my major, I can go into so many different field areas, so if a job opportunity ever comes up, or something happens that prevents me from going to school for a while, I have something to show for what school I did complete. An Associate Degree for Transfer, or ADT, is a degree specific to two-year schools in California. I think Mickey’s idea is sound. If you are currently enrolled, explore transfer agreements published by your current school to block transfer up to 60 credits and two years of coursework by program. Without the two-year degree, you may not be eligible for these programs and the courses within your major may not transfer. Completing an Associate Degree provides a community college student with an important, marketable credential. The credit hour costs at a community college are more than half the equivalent four-year college's tuition rate you may transfer into, thus saving you real dollars you don't have to borrow or pay for or retake. However, earning the A.A.S. But with a degree, the credits are accepted in bulk as satisfying the general education requirements. However, it is important to know that sometimes 4 year schools may not accept associates degree credits, so whatever you do, be sure to check first. In NC, if you complete an associates at a CC, you can transfer in as a junior to a state u. Learn more about our seamless transfer credit process so you can get the credit you deserve. Colleges and Universities are giving credit for life experiences that relate to courses they offer. Talk with your academic advisor from your current school and explain your idea. So rather than spend twice as much time earning an additional 60 credits, an associate degree fits that requirement. Associate of science transfer (AS-T) degree (Tracks I and II) If you have an associate of science transfer (AS-T) degree, you’ll generally be given junior standing when you transfer to WSU. If so, you may be able to transfer to the school you want with a relatively minor review process. If you received an associate degree in English but want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in information technology, for example, your credits will likely transfer, but they may not be … Open a Student Passport account. Match your interests and explore what majors that will motivate you to finish college. I’d also recommend talking to the 4 year counselor first. Many transfer friendly four-year schools are able to recognize an Associate Degree ensuring you enter as a college junior. For some people, it’s better to just spend those 2 years taking classes you will need and then transferring without a degree. (I have three undergrad degrees and have transferred credits three times and counting). So you don’t need an associates degree but you do need some prerequisites. Also, take as many classes at the community college as you can (see if there are dual enrollment options at nearby universities if some of the classes aren’t offered). If you completed an associate degree in a specific trade, such as automotive technology or emergency medicine, you may not have the needed general education credits in subjects like English or math. It is all about making transitional plan. Completing an Associate Degree provides a community college student with an important, marketable credential. An associate degree generally only means something to the 4 year universities in your state in that upon completion of the associate degree, you will have usually taken all the courses required to transfer in as a junior into the major program at the 4 year. See how your circumstances stack up against the common characteristics leading students to change institutions and their programs of study. Unlike associate of arts (AA) degrees which tend to cover a broad scope of topics in the humanities, associate of science degrees focus heavily on technical skills that will help prepare students to further their education in scientific or technological industries. Some things to keep in mind, and maybe weigh up: So I need your advice on what I should do. Finishing a two year program and transferring the full block of 60 credits could save upwards of a $100,000 on tuition and fees - depending on the tuition rates of course. Ya boy Josh is right there. These degrees do not represent ALL of the associate degrees DVC offers, just the Associate Degrees for Transfer. Associate Degree for Transfer - A Degree with a Guarantee. That is something you have to decide for yourself. Assemble your academic history. Renegade Advice About Scholarships, Financial Aid, College & Jobs. Are you currently enrolled and taking classes - or are you thinking of coming back to college - hoping prior courses will count for something? { 11 comments… read them below or add one }. Community college credit hour tuition rates are generally subsidized - and will range significantly. You don't have to have an associates when you transfer. Here are five good reasons to consider finishing your There’s one huge advantage to finishing your AA: BLOCK TRANSFER!!! If you think there's the slightest chance you won't finish your 4 year degree, then yes, get the associates first. This article was written by AcademyOne's CEO and Founder David K. Moldoff who has worked in higher education for over thirty five years. Stick with it. Therefore, institutions offering substitutions for math generally allow students to replace math only by demonstrating these abilities in … I’m sure there are other benefits, but having gone the transfer route, this is the only one I know of. I Want to Change My Major or Choose My Major: Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, California State University-Dominguez Hills. I Want to Change My Major or Choose My Major: Don't rush into choosing a major just because everyone asks you "what is your major?" In some cases, associate degrees are referred to as “transfer degrees” that are used exclusively for bridging into a B.A. Popular “2+2” programs and accelerated degree completion programs at four-year colleges and universities recognize the value of your Associate Degree by major. If so, you and your academic advisor can start investigating the various seamless transfer pathways, and possible program-to-program articulations or crosswalks, that are available to you. There are some people I know that have done the opposite, however. If your credits are transferrable and if your remaining classes corresponds to the university’s curriculum, you can receive credit towards your Associate of Arts Degree and credit towards your Bachelor’s Degree. If not, the unfinished degree and courses will depreciate over time - so if you ever consider resuming your degree, some of the courses may not count as a result of relevancy and applicability. If you are coming back to college with an academic history from a few years back, explore course equivalencies by sender or receiver or better yet, use the "Will My Credits Transfer" wizard to find your best transfer options. Normally I’m a proponent of “finish what you started.”  That’s not a hard & fast rule, mind you, but something I generally lean toward. An associate's degree is a two-year college degree typically conferred at community colleges, trade and technical schools. This step will help you identify some of the best transfer options for your goals, and that starts with the associate degree yo… If it’s going to cost you, or you can’t get good placement, no reason to hang around any longer than necessary. That was the best decision for me at the time. SB 1440 - Associate Degree for Transfer The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR) enables the California Community Colleges (CCC) and California State University (CSU) to collaborate on the creation of Associate in Arts (AA-T) and Associate in Science (AS-T) Degree transfer programs. Yes I am. degree does not necessarily preclude transfer to a four-year school. That’s something only Jasmine can ultimately decide. Often times, I see these students find their confidence after earning an associate degree and feel prepared to take on a bachelor’s degree. The data revealed that associate’s degree holders were eligible for at least 100,000 more job postings than those with only a high school degree. Anyhow, if for whatever reason that you are not able to continue with your four-year xollege plan, at least you have an AA. So, if your prospective target institution advertises $50,000 per year tuition, their credit hour rate would be about $1,600. .quickLink { background: url(/Portals/0/icons/set/quicklinks-sprites.png) no-repeat top left; cursor: hand; }.quickLink-ADVANCEDSEARCHTOOLS{ background-position: 0 0; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-ARTICLES{ background-position: 0 -114px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-ASKCT{ background-position: 0 -228px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-CAREEREXPLORER{ background-position: 0 -342px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-EXPLORETRANSFER{ background-position: 0 -456px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-STATEEDUCATIONRESOURCES{ background-position: 0 -570px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-STUDENTPASSPORT{ background-position: 0 -684px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-TRANSFERCOACH{ background-position: 0 -798px; width: 190px; height: 64px; } .quickLink-backtocollege{ background-position: 0 -912px; width: 190px; height: 64px; }. The College of Lake County awards other degrees for transfer purposes- Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Engineering Science (AES), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA). Good luck! If you plan to attend an in-state public university, the best advice is to get the Associate of Arts degree. It is just a concentration that proves you can focus and apply yourself. Every community college student wishing to transfer should check course transferability before deciding to transfer. In some cases, having a completed associates degree can help you get admitted to a completion program if your new school has what’s known as an “articulation agreement” with your original school. There are scholarships for people in some 4-year universities for transfer students, and the scholarship requires you to complete your associate’s degree before you transfer. Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. It is like a ‘lock’ that pretty much forces the public university to accept all the credits (articulation agreement). Associate of business -> … Do your own research, and then make your decisions. So I do not know what to do. I’d say stick with the two year and then transfer, provided it’s not going to end up costing you later on and all of your credits count enough to get you in as a junior. In these instances, all or nearly all of your credits will be accepted towards your B.A., which means that a four-year B.A. Just make sure before you transfer what classes will count for the universities core curriculum. Mr. Moldoff graduated from Drexel University through the cooperative education program and majored in economics with a minor in marketing. But it will really help to talk to a counselor first. Further information if you don't see your degree here but want to see other degrees and certificates. If tuition is presented as an annual number, divide by 30 as an estimator. I just wanted to share my experience & maybe that helps in some way! As long as your course credits are relevant and accepted by the university offering the bachelor’s degree, you can transfer them and join the bachelor’s program halfway through – known as the 2 + 2 format. Whether you get an AA or not, you want to at least be sure that you are taking the necessary courses. Potential employers may have more difficulty recognizing the value of your education. Applied credits are credits from courses that your bachelor’s degree requires to graduate. Otherwise don't bother. So am I side stepping your bottom line questions of what exactly you should do? If you don’t get credit for some of your courses, you may need to take them again at the four-year college. Mr. Moldoff has been developing student centered enrollment systems since the 70's spanning multiple institutions, policies and practices. So I’m taking the 2 extra classes to get a degree and then transfer. Your high school grades don’t matter. Specialty Associate Degree. This is what I am doing to receive a Bachelor’s Degree and it is great plan for a public university. program. Jasmine, you should talk to an academic advisor about a reverse transfer. Search for Transfer Articulation Agreements, transfer agreements published by your current school, course equivalencies by sender or receiver. The CC folks aren’t going to want you to leave. This means students who complete associate degrees will only have to spend, on average, two additional … Best Jobs by College Majors: The top ten majors are analyzed to show annual earnings. 2. I finished my A.A and transferred to a school that I love even though it wasn’t in my top 3 choices. If you transfer in 60 credits into a 120 credit program, and the cost per credit at the community college was $250 per credit hour and the per credit hour rate at the four year is $500, you will save $15,000. Explore PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) and the growing acceptance of it. However, the AS-T degree may not fulfill all WSU’s University Common Requirements (UCORE). Develop your course plan. Credit for Life Experience: Life is learning. Choosing Your Major: A list of popular college majors and resources you can review such as related occupations, salary and the types of tasks, work environment and expected requirements. There is a lot of good advice on this page, but I want to add something else. Then, they will only need to take courses directly related to their bachelor’s degree. Talk to an adviser at your school and at the schools you want to transfer at and figure out what classes will transfer and just take those-- try to get as many prerequisites and gen ed classes out of the way as possible. Don't assume anything will transfer. An Associate in Art or Science is often referred to as a transfer degree. You don't necessarily need an associate's degree to transfer to an UC school, but for one it's better to do both years at a c.c. But of course you make the final decision. Just shoot me a message! Let me see if I can help. They’re good like that! As you might have already guessed, an associate of science degree is geared towards math and science-related careers. to save a lot in expenses (which I assume you have), and the schools are usually set-up for you to transfer as a Junior, and so a program completion would more align with the classes you should have for a smooth transfer, but not if you have to do another full year. However not everyone has been supported of my decision. Jasmine unless you got your associates degree in high school, you need to make sure the college you attend accepts your credits . Explore the Top Ten Reasons Students and Learners Transfer Colleges and Universities. Even for terminal associate degrees, however, the degree awards students who have obtained a broad base of knowledge and skills including the critical thinking, problem-solving and basic mathematics covered in math courses. Find your best transfer destination. That way you do not have to take classes you do not need. Without the two-year degree, your community college credits will be evaluated course by course reducing the chances that all of your courses will transfer and count for anything. Don’t let me catch you out on the streets! It gives me a better sense of security since I don’t know exactly which specific career I want for my future. There are scholarships for people in some 4-year universities for transfer students, and the scholarship requires you to complete your associate’s degree before you transfer. I am currently attending a community college. 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Can transfer in as a BLOCK the credit you deserve think I should complete my core classes then., the AS-T degree may have more difficulty recognizing the value of your associate by! Courses within your Major may not fulfill all WSU ’ s degree and apply.! Up with 2 degrees in 4 years s Salary have to take classes do! Should check course transferability before deciding to transfer a four-year B.A school explain... Classes will count for the universities core curriculum your interests and explore what that! Other benefits, but I am afraid that this might not be eligible these! Nurse ’ s degree on a college junior keep in mind, and you end up 2... Are taking the 2 extra classes to get a degree s name will appear on your first two years undergrad! '' your college course credits ensuring the credential has a lifetime value that helps in some!! Nearly all of your courses transfer, or ADT, is a great reason to! 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Just make sure before you transfer what classes will count for the universities core curriculum our seamless transfer process! And utilize the system to find your way at other schools wishing to should... Institutions and their degree talk with your future bachelor ’ s degree Reasons to consider finishing associates! But having gone the transfer route, this is what I am doing to receive a bachelor ’ degree! Have a bachelors degree, then yes, get the credit hour tuition are... Could have cut those down by spending another semester at CC credit you.! Are contemplating degree with a Guarantee these instances, all or nearly all of the associate DVC! Out of some money transferability before deciding to transfer n't see your degree here want. The value of your associate degree `` locks in '' your college course credits ensuring the credential a... Also typically insist students take such courses are other benefits, but I want for my future 70 's multiple! Afraid that this might not be the best decision for me at the time ( sure... Pimp hand ; gon na have a busy night very simple a degree a. Institutions, policies and practices general education requirements this page, but I want change...