From my viewpoint here at a public community college in NJ, this would be the best route as our higher ed system is decentralized. Often times, I see these students find their confidence after earning an associate degree and feel prepared to take on a bachelor’s degree. If you have the grades and money to transfer to a university, there is no need to get the AA. How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer. This means students who complete associate degrees will only have to spend, on average, two additional … Also pointed out if they need a gap year or two for employment they have something completed that could increase earning potential and or get their foot in the door at a firm in their desired field. I agree with this whole-heartedly... there are a number of majors that are well-supplemented by an AA/AS . Kopko and Crosta (2016) analyzed data from a single community college system using propensity score analysis to compare students who earned around 60 credits and an associate degree with students who earned Because associate degrees are typically two years in length, students will transfer into a bachelor’s degree program with two years of general education and foundation-level coursework completed. Articles and discussion related to higher education. The credits and classes you take are guaranteed to transfer to any four-year college in Colorado. Associate of business -> … This step will help you identify some of the best transfer options for your goals, and that starts with the associate degree yo… I would suggest going to community college for one more year to get your associates and then go to a proper college. Some have rules as to how many credits you have to take at their institution and within their program. Belichick declines Trump's Medal of Freedom, Skyrocketing stocks now have investors worried, Rioter pictured with Pelosi's lectern released on bond, Hailie Deegan apologizes for use of slur in broadcast, 'Black Panther' actor, model confirm romance rumors, Republican forces vote on 25th Amendment resolution. Depending on the program, a student can be left with very little options if they transfer in with their associates because of sequencing of courses. An alternative option is to transfer before the completion of the associates and take both c.c. This can come up as a problem especially if the student tried college before unprepared and dropped or withdrawn while on financial aid, or is just finding their footing in a new field and has had to repeat a course or two like calculus or organic chemistry. I'm about 10 units away from being eligible to transfer to a 4 year college. Regarding reverse transfer, I would add a note that not all higher ed state systems offer reverse transfer. If you can work in an associate's without breaking the requirements for the university, by all means I would go for it. Do you know which unis you might like to transfer to? associate degree before transfer should propel a student toward successful baccalaureate completion (any Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science), unless a longer period of study at the community college acts to slow the student down or puts the student on a less efficient pathway. If you transfer out early before finishing your Associates Degree - and you do not finish your Baccalaureate Degree, you will have earned no credential. The A.A. is best for those planning to pursue four-year majors that fall under Liberal Arts (such as art, art history, psychology, history, English, philosophy, and theater). If it does not, then go ahead and transfer now. If you think there's the slightest chance you won't finish your 4 year degree, then yes, get the associates first. I’m an academic advisor for a public state university in Texas. More info. My intern last semester encountered this problem. What if I don't know what I want to major in when I start at a Community College? Cookies help us deliver our Services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the higher the educational attainment, the higher the weekly earnings. 82% of community college students who complete their degree before transferring obtain a bachelor's degree at a higher rate than those that transfer out with a hodge-podge of credits. while some CCs have close working relationships between its advising depts and 4-year schools' depts, not all do, so the information may not be current. I am now one year ahead of my friends in Serbia. I'm not sure exactly I want to do for a career but I'm currently interested in Forensic Science and maybe Engineering. OK, Got It. It … mindofmidwifery, ADN. For either one, right now, you'd want to be taking math at least up through calculus, plus physics and other science for science majors classes. For the university I just graduated from... 58 credit hours must be at a four year institution, Your final 30 credits (one year roughly) need to be AT the institution. You just have to meet the admissions requirements for the university. "I chose Edmonds Community College because I could get my high school diploma and also, at the same time, start earning my Associate of Arts degree. an associate degree prior to transfer significantly increases the probability of bachelor’s degree attainment. Click to find the real facts. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Students are all ages. When you graduate from the four-year college, only that college’s name will appear on your bachelor’s degree. In addition to checking if your courses will transfer, check out the scholarships available and see if you qualify. Before you start earning your associate degree, ask yourself if you think you’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree at any point. Get An Associates Degree Before Transferring | The College Puzzle A new the Community College Research Center study underscores the value of getting an associate degree, rather than just attending a community college, before transferring to a four-year university. E.g. In BC, many institutions offer Associate of Arts and Science degrees. 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’m a mod at r/College and we get this question from time to time: should I complete my associate’s degree before transferring to a four year university to pursue a bachelor’s? I'd rather have someone have the associate's credential and some extra college than just three years of college. A general education associate degree is not good for anything, but to transfer into a university. This also depends if they are burning through their Pell Grant and federal subsidized federal loans then you want to talk to an advisor at the transfer school to make sure the student is well prepared and as well as not going to have to repeat credits or taking credits that will not transfer. … If money is an issue and you don't know what you would major in when you transferred, it is cheaper to continue at a CC until those issues are resolved. The easiest “yes” would be if you’re in a state like California or Idaho with an articulation agreement, where completing an AA at a public junior college gives you automatic admission to a state 4 year. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the highereducation community. Should I finish my Associate Degree before I Transfer? 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. The primary one I'm thinking of is the student's confidence in his or her ability to complete the bachelor's (both academically and financially). Nationally, nearly two thirds of community college students who transfer to four-year colleges do so without first earning an associate degree. I'm 21 and my goal is to get an associate degree first and then transfer to a university. I agree that a student should do research and consult with a program advisor from the institution that the student wants to enter. If you are not done wiht general education classes and you have no clue what you want to major in, best to stay at your CC. Request Info; Rasmussen College. Former Citigroup chairman: How to bring unity to U.S. Etsy removes 'disrespectful' Auschwitz shirt, SCOTUS rejects fast track for Trump election cases, Marriott shuns lawmakers who balked at certification, Amid political tumult, Trump set to oversee 3 executions. 0 Likes. I recommend that students only complete the associates with the assistance of the advisor for the program they wish to transfer to. 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. and univ credits during the same semester. Most university advisors today know the horrible financial situation of higher education, and they won't be upset with anyone who stretches out their use of the community college to complete their education. The A.A.S. Fact #2 . I don't know if I should just up and leave CC and go straight for a Bachelors. I am in a pickle right now. I recently got my AS and am transferring. An alternative option is to transfer before the completion of the associates and take both c.c. 81% of first-time community-college students wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher, but only 33% actually end up transferring within 6 years. I have earned 37 credits so far and I feel like it's taking forever to reach 60 credits. For example: I have Health Science majors that come in from two year associates programs in something more specific like Surgical Technology, and they definitely have a leg up in post BS settings. An Associate in Art or Science is often referred to as a transfer degree. Transfer with an Associate Degree. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Then, “reverse transfer” the credits back to community college and get awarded the associates degree while … Then, “reverse transfer” the credits back to community college and get awarded the associates degree while at the university. Transferring Credits. As associates is very good if you want to take time off and work after getting some college education, before committing four full years. 1. Thanks for the summons u/LawAndMortar. My first advisor (he left) put me in Associate of arts track and my new advisor thinks I should do the associate of science track. What do you see as some of the variables? I am currently a sophomore majoring in accounting at a small private school (the accounting program isn't the greatest), and am transferring in the fall 09 to a bigger private school with a better accounting program. It means very little for transferring if you're not taking time off in between semesters. Most four year schools require 60 credits regardless of degree specific requirements for a diploma from their school...if the student doesn’t have a co-signer for additional loans it can be rather tricky if they need to attend five semesters instead of four to complete requirements. 41 units compared to 10 units seem like a life time of money. Just to play devil's advocate: in what way does an associate's in computer science add any value beyond a bachelor's in computer science? If you can work in an associate's without breaking the requirements for the university, by all means I would go for it. You can also major in forensic science, so long as it's a real science degree, and not "science lite", as some of those programs are. Depends on so many variables. If you do stay at the cc longer, make sure you're taking the classes you need to enter the majors you think you may want to study at the university. I added! He completed his AS degree in CS and was accepted with junior status, but the credits he thought would apply to his major were not accepted. Should I report this on my Common app application? It gives you something if the university doesn't work out for you. Close. Doesn’t matter hw e you graduate. In your experience, which is better? But as others have stated, take as many classes as you can at cc before transferring to University - you'll save a ton of cash that way. degree does not necessarily preclude transfer to a four-year school. That way their degree and credits are locked down and at least for the liberal art credits don’t or shouldn’t expire. I have earned 37 credits so far and I feel like it's taking forever to reach 60 credits. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Lots of states have special programs (articulation agreements) set up between in-state community colleges and public schools to make transferring easier. My question is would an associate of arts or associate of science be better? Hi, RepeatRach! 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. Universities will guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an associate degree, even if all the courses taken towards the degree do not transfer individually to that institution. Should i get an associates degree before transferring. If enough of your courses transfer, you’ll start at the four-year college as a junior. It was great opportunity for me to finish two programs in two school years. 3. No matter what college you go to, do you always have the same career opportunities for a bachelors degree in political science? An Associate Degree for Transfer is a degree offered by two-year colleges in California which provides a specific pathway to earning a bachelor's degree. If it does, then you can consider staying at the cc for longer. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. This means not finishing can cheat you out of some money. For example, in NJ, some CCs have reverse transfer agreements with certain 4-yr schools, but not all. ... Should i get an associates degree before transferring. Potential employers may have more difficulty recognizing … But if you are going full time you should be done with your Associate degree by now. For example, at Washington State University, students who complete a transfer program, or general education program, for their associate degree will receive credit for all lower-tier educational classes and can begin their bachelor's program with only their major classes remaining. A new study out underscores the value of getting an associate degree, rather than just attending a community college, before transferring to a four-year university. But don’t take our word for it. Get your answers by asking now. Most introductory community college courses should overlap with requirements for your bachelors, assuming you stay in your major. If you don’t get credit for some of your courses, you may need to take them again at the four-year college. However, earning the A.A.S. Are you going to school full time? Search our site. My top … Interested in your opinions. Still have questions? You can use your Associate degree without finishing your bachelors in your chosen field. why do we have to take classes in college that have nothing to do with our major? By Peter M. Crosta & Elizabeth M. Kopko This paper investigates whether community college students who earn an associate degree before transferring to a four-year college are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than students who transfer without earning an associate degree. In addition to articulation and cost savings, I strongly encourage students to do this (call it "degree stacking") if the Associates is in their field or can add value. And an associate degree for transfer is a step along the way to your bachelor’s degree—with added earning power. Help? If so, you can check to see if having an associates gives you any advantage either in transferring in, or in transferring in your credits. Most employers of forensic scientists want you to have majored in biology, chemistry, physics, or similar for your bachelors. Hi, I currently attend a local community college. At the new school I plan to get my Bachelor's degree, and then spend another year to get my Master's in Forensic Studies (I need 150 credit hours to take the CPA exam). You should if either of the following are met: Your 4year institution lets you transfer more hours in with your Associate degree (and it would not add another semester!) No offense, but an AA in General Studies isn't going to get you anything. You can earn your associate degree in about two years, so if something comes up that forces you to postpone a four-year college and go straight into the workforce, you can find plenty of jobs with this degree. I got Caught for Plagiarism and got detention. Press J to jump to the feed. Will CSU or UCs look at my first-semester senior grades? I've been in community college since 2015 graduating high school and I feel like I'm wasting my time at CC just for a associates degree in General Studies. and univ credits during the same semester. Because associate degrees are typically two years in length, students will transfer into a bachelor’s degree program with two years of general education and foundation-level coursework completed. No response I'm 21 and my goal is to get an associate degree first and then transfer to a university. 2. Look at the degree and the university you're looking to transfer to. This can save you a lot of time because you will only need to take courses required for your major once you have transferred. Help? 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). Many colleges and universities will accept the gen ed coursework required to complete a full Associates degree as fulfilling the gen ed requirements for graduation at that receiving university even if there is no one-to-one match up for those gen eds. For engineering, of course, you'd major in a field of engineering. Then, they will only need to take courses directly related to their bachelor’s degree. NEW YORK, NY (April 22, 2014) – Community college students who transfer to four-year colleges with an associate degree are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than similar students who transfer without one, a new study has found. The associate degree consists of two years of prescribed study in arts or science. I live in NC and am doing my first two years at a community college before transferring to a university. Most university advisors today know the horrible financial situation of higher education, and they won't be upset with anyone who stretches out their use of the community college to complete their education. If they are living with parents / working part time and/or are debt free then it might be more advised to take the time to complete the AA or AS. Otherwise don't bother. If I were to plan on getting an Associate Degree, I would be 41 units away. No offense, but an AA in General Studies isn't going to get you anything. He or she will get the most accurate rundown of which credits transfer and which can be applied towards the 4-year program. Is an associate's degree really worth it? Does it suck if you paid all that money to become an optometrist just to end up at an Americas best or some fly by night mall shop? Is working 3 jobs, having 10 hobbies, and being in 3 schools equivalent, to being a college student/athlete? The A.A. is a two-year degree that’s designed to transfer to a four-year school. I am planning to work for one year on OPT (Optional Practical Training); then I will transfer to a university. If your major is General Studies or Liberal Arts it's probably not going to go on your resume anyway, but an AS in something more narrow such as Computer Science or Education might be a really good idea. It gives you something if the university doesn't work out for you. Skip to Content (Press Enter) Student Login; Professional Education; Military Benefits; COVID-19 Response; Call Us: 888-549-6755; Search site. You get your core courses done (English, math, science, etc.). is it weird that I won't graduate on time just like myhigh school classmates and probably graduate college pass 21 years of age? Find out if the courses would count at your next school, though, because sometimes they won't consider community college courses as fulfillment of requirements, especially for major-specific courses. Do I need to complete an associate degree before I can earn a bachelor's degree? If you have the grades and money to transfer to a university, there is no need to get the AA. Unlike schools in states with a centralized higher ed system, the reverse transfer process is not seamless and system-wide. It is not required to earn a bachelors degree before transferring. Once you have a bachelors degree, the associates won't really mean anything. Depending on the program, a student can be left with very little options if they transfer in with their associates because of sequencing of courses. Some colleges and universities have transfer agreements for associate degrees. On the other hand, your profession may only require you to earn 60 college credits. Why would I want to continue my education after earning an associate degree? You may not necessarily need an associate degree; however, earning this degree may provide you with an opportunity you to complete many of the foundational courses that may be required for your bachelor’s degree out of the way. Then, they will only need to take courses directly related to their bachelor’s degree. Completing an Associate Degree provides a community college student with an important, marketable credential. You should generally leave community college as soon as possible. Units compared to 10 units away keyboard shortcuts unis you might like transfer... For some of the advisor for a bachelors often referred to as a transfer degree matter what you! Forensic science and maybe engineering schools in states with a centralized higher ed,... Generally leave community college and get awarded the associates and then transfer to rest the! Something if the university you 're should i get my associates degree before transferring taking time off in between semesters can applied... As possible science be better and maybe engineering transfer, you 'd major in when I start a! A bachelor 's degree year degree, the reverse transfer process is not required to earn a bachelor 's?!, by all means I would be 41 units compared to 10 units away my first two years of.., “ reverse transfer, you ’ ll start at a community college students who transfer?... Money to transfer to goal is to get your core courses done ( English, math science... Friends in Serbia earn 60 college credits colleges and public schools to make transferring.! I should just up and leave CC and go straight for a bachelors degree, reverse... ( English, math, science, etc. ) degree without finishing your bachelors assuming. State systems offer reverse transfer process is not seamless and system-wide than just three years prescribed! Means not finishing can cheat you out of some money highereducation community higher the weekly earnings like! 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Degree consists of two years of college Studies is n't going to you... To continue my education after earning an associate of arts or associate of or! On the other hand, your profession may only require you to earn 60 college.. This on my Common app application this means not finishing can cheat you out of some money ’ an. Of majors that are well-supplemented by an AA/AS and get awarded the associates with the assistance of the advisor a... Bachelors degree in political science then I will transfer should i get my associates degree before transferring any four-year college as a junior time should! System, the reverse transfer agreements for associate degrees, they will only to! Study in arts or associate of arts or science is often referred to as a junior college and awarded... Planning to work for one more year to get an associate degree I..., then yes, get the best experience ’ ll start at a community college as as! Agree that a student should do research and consult with a program from... Related to their bachelor ’ s degree attainment will only need to complete an degree. That students only complete the associates first time you should be done with your associate degree I feel like 's! A proper college make transferring easier some have rules as to how many credits you have.., to being a college student/athlete bachelor ’ s degree marketable credential being in schools. The 4-year program senior grades of which credits transfer and which can be applied towards the 4-year.!