Thursday | September 20, 2018 | by Colin A. Wiggins
In the United States, many students begin their postsecondary education at a community college, and then transfer to a university. Typically, they earn an associate degree in two years and then change schools in order to earn their bachelor’s degree. This allows students to save money, build confidence, complete their general education requirements, and seamlessly transition directly into their degree program of choice.
Why Study at a Community College?
A community college is a great place for international students to begin their higher education journey. Community colleges offer a range of programs, including associate degree, certificate, and diploma program. Students are also able to complete standalone courses.
Here are some advantages of studying at a community college:
- More affordable tuition
- The option for international students to take English language courses at the same time they are starting other coursework
- Smaller class sizes
- Athletic programs for talented students
Students who choose a community college have the opportunity to complete an associate degree. This academic degree is awarded upon completion of a course of study intended to be two years in length. They are divided into three degrees:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Earned in the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Awarded in applied scientific and technical fields
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Technical or vocational degrees
Generally, the first year of study in an associate degree program is focused on university-level general education coursework and the second year is focused on your academic discipline.
Transitioning From an Associate to a Bachelor’s Degree
The coursework completed through an AA, AS, or AAS degree can be counted toward a bachelor’s degree at other universities within the U.S. via articulation agreements. These agreements can be formal or informal recognition of the transferability of completed coursework and credits between one institution and another.
For example, a course like English 101 at Queensborough Community College will transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Both institutions recognize that the course at the community college meets the requirements to be equivalent to the same course at the senior college. Students will not have to take that class when they transfer to their new school. Now multiply that course by the 20 courses that students need to pass to graduate with an associate degree.
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. Then, they will only need to take courses directly related to their bachelor’s degree. This means students who complete associate degrees will only have to spend, on average, two additional years to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Beginning your studies at a community college is a wonderful opportunity. These institutions offer small class sizes and affordable tuition. You will also have the option to move on and complete a bachelor’s degree after completing a two-year associate degree, without having to start over! English-language programs offer international students help with learning the language in a university setting while working toward their degrees. Now the only question is: There are 1,462 community colleges in the U.S.—which one will you chose?
Related Reading
Higher Education Options in the U.S.
Credentials to Support the Skilled Immigrant Workforce
Colin A. Wiggins is the International Admission Specialist at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/City University of New York.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of World Education Services (WES).
HOW DO I TRANSFER TO A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?
Transferring options matter—especially at competitive and selective majors at private and public universities and colleges.
Transfer Option #1: Transferring WITH an Associate Degree in an approved MassTransfer or Articulation Agreement Pathway
Transfer Option #2: General Education Foundation/MassTransfer Block
Transfer Option #3: Transferring WITH an Associate Degree that does NOT have a MassTransfer or Articulation Agreement Pathway
Transfer Option #4: Transferring WITHOUT an Associate Degree
Transfer Option #1: Transferring WITH an Associate Degree in an approved MassTransfer or Articulation Agreement Pathway: Transfer Option #1 is for you if you will be completing an associate degree at QCC, and QCC does have an agreement with that school for transfer benefits. These benefits can include guaranteed admission, full transfer of credits, free application, and a tuition credit, all of which are dependent on students' final GPA. The student will make the decision which university to attend.
Massachusetts’ public college and universities have joined together to offer cost-saving transfer pathways to reduce the sticker price of a State U or UMass bachelor’s degree. MassTransfer seeks to reward community college students who complete associate degrees at Massachusetts community colleges before they enroll in an approved pathway bachelor program at Massachusetts state universities or University of Massachusetts campuses.
- What are the benefits?
- Do you qualify?
Transfer Option #2: General Education Foundation/MassTransfer Block: Transfer Option #2 is for you if you will NOT be completing an associate degree at QCC, but WILL BE completing the 33-34 credit general education foundation/MassTransfer Block of courses. A student will be a competitive applicant as the university will make the decision concerning acceptance into the university and/or intended program.
COMPLETE YOUR GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: The Gen Ed Foundation is a set of 34 credits that is accepted at our community colleges, state universities and University of Massachusetts campuses.
- These credits, when completed together with a 2.0 or higher GPA, fully transfer to any Massachusetts public higher education institution - even if you don’t have your associate degree. They satisfy the general education/distribution/core requirements at any other Massachusetts public higher education institution, with the receiving institution being able to add no more than six additional credits/two courses.
- QCC Gen Ed Foundation Courses
- This excludes our special mission colleges, MassArt and Mass Maritime, which have a different set of core requirements.
- Private schools that also accept the Foundation/Block include Dean College and Suffolk University.
- Please note some of these courses may overlap with major requirements.
Transfer Option #3: Transferring WITH an Associate Degree that does NOT have a MassTransfer or Articulation Agreement Pathway: Transfer Option #3 is for you if you will be completing an associate degree at QCC, but QCC does NOT have an agreement with that school for transfer benefits. A student will be a competitive applicant as the university will make the decision concerning acceptance into the university and/or intended program.
Transfer Option #4: Transferring WITHOUT an Associate Degree: Transfer Option #4 is for you if you will NOT be completing an associate degree at QCC and will NOT be completing the General Education Foundation/MassTransfer Block. Most bachelor programs require a student to complete at least 12 transferrable credits with a 2.5 GPA in order to apply. A student will be a competitive applicant as the university will make the decision concerning acceptance into the university and/or intended program.
- Transferrable credits may differ from university to university: Check receiving institutions website under "Admissions", "Transfer Credit", etc. Universities accept transfer
credit on requirements including:
- Grade (universities usually require a C- or C or above grade in a class)
- College-level coursework (developmental courses are not accepted)
- is the course relevant to the chosen bachelor program