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4.6: Opportunities at College of the Canyons

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    Now that you have explored possible career options, it is time to look at the specific educational training required to help you pursue your career goal. The career you are considering may require specialized industry certification or licensing, an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or a more advanced degree. College of the Canyons offers certificates, associate degree and transfer programs.

    Certificates

    Certificates are short term training programs that are industry specific. These programs are typically designed to prepare students for employment, job enhancement and/or job advancement. Certificate programs vary in length and generally require less than two years of fulltime study. The required coursework allows students to gain specialized entry level skills and training to prepare for industry certification and licensing.

    For example, to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), one must become certified by passing an exam offered through the National Registry. Completing the EMT Certificate of specialization at COC prepares students to take the National Registry exam to become certified and gain employment as an EMT. For a list of certificates offered through COC view the counseling site: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/degrees/certificates.php

    Associate degree programs (AA/AS)

    The associate degree is a program that requires 60 units. These units are comprised of general education courses and major courses. The AA/AS degree is designed to help students gain employment and or job advancement. For a comprehensive list of associate degrees offered through COC view the counseling site: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/degrees/majors.php

    Associate degree for transfer (AA-T/AS-T)

    The AA-T/AS-T degrees are designed to help facilitate the transfer process for California Community College Students to the California State University (CSU) System. It is a 60-unit program comprised of at least 18 units in a specific major and either the CSU GE breadth or the IGETC-CSU GE pattern. The benefit of an AA-T/AS-T is that students are guaranteed admission to one of the CSU schools (a non-impacted CSU) and are guaranteed to have 60 units remaining towards their bachelor’s degree after transfer. For more information go to: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/degrees/aat-ast.php

    Transfer programs

    COC has transfer agreements with four-year institutions that allow students to complete their freshman and sophomore general education courses and major preparation work at COC and transfer as a junior. For more information on transfer, go to the Counseling website: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/transfer/index.php

    Overview of the Transfer Process

    Perhaps you decided to attend College of the Canyons to save some money or to be able to explore a career before committing to a four-year program. Now you may find that a bachelor’s degree is worth pursuing because it appears to be a requirement for the kind of career you want or because you will be able to boost your income opportunities. If you are thinking about transferring to a four-year program, be sure to follow these steps:

    1. Understand the transfer process. The diagram below illustrates the transfer process. While attending College of the Canyons, you may complete your lower division college coursework, which is comparable to what freshmen, and sophomores are doing their first two years of college at the four-year university. This entails completion of the 100 and 200 level courses to satisfy freshman and sophomore general education and major preparation course requirements. If classes are selected wisely, students may earn an AA/AS or AA-T/AS-T degree while also completing transfer admission requirements for the four-year university. Meet with a counselor to discuss your goals and develop a personalized comprehensive student educational plan!
    Figure 4.4 – College of the Canyons’ Degree Plan.
    1. Learn more about articulation agreements. Articulation agreements are transfer agreements with the four-year universities. COC has articulations with the UC/CSU systems, private and out-of-state institutions. Understanding the transfer requirements will make for a smooth transition. Transfer agreements may be found on the counseling website at: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/transfer/index.php
    2. Learn more about AA-T/AS-T if you are considering transfer to a CSU school. You may wish to consider the AA-T/AS-T programs offered through COC. These degrees are designed to help facilitate the transfer process for California Community College students to the CSU System. For more information about AA-T/AS-T programs offered at COC go to: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/counseling/degrees/aat-ast.php. To learn more about benefits associated with this transfer option, go visit the “Degree with a Guarantee” website: http://adegreewithaguarantee.com/
    3. Determine if you should follow the CSU GE or IGETC GE pattern. If you are considering transfer to a CSU or UC school, you should follow one of these GE patterns.
    • If you are interested in a CSU or a UC transfer institution, it is safest to follow the IGETC, as this GE pattern is acceptable by both UC and CSU schools.
    • NOTE: The CSU GE and IGETC GE patterns are generally safe for most majors EXCEPT liberal studies students and those with extensive lower division preparation such as most high unit engineering or science majors at any UC campus. Read the special notes on the CSU GE and IGETC regarding which majors and schools do not honor CSU GE or IGETC.
    1. Explore www.assist.org. This is the official transfer and articulation system for California’s public colleges and universities. This site houses all the transfer agreements between all California Community Colleges, CSU and UC institutions. You may explore transfer agreements by entering your institution, the transfer institution, and the major you are interested in. Once this information is entered, will be able to view the articulation agreement, which includes the freshman and sophomore level coursework for the major the transfer institution requires prior to transfer. The more major preparation coursework you complete at COC, the less work you have to complete at the four-year university. This saves you time and money! If your major is “highly selective” or “impacted” you will be required to complete all major preparation prior to transfer. Be sure to read the fine print in each articulation agreement. Some schools have very specific requirements in regards to grades and when the major preparation work must be completed.
    2. learn more about the transfer process and create an educational plan based on your major and transfer institution.
    3. course offered every term. This course provides students with information and resources to facilitate a smooth transfer to the 4-year colleges and universities. Topics include UC/CSU applications, the common app for private and out of state schools, developing a personal statement, major and general education requirements, financial aid/scholarships, personalized student education plans, and analysis of factors involved in the selection of transfer schools.
    4. Connect with the Transfer Center. The Transfer Center assists students who wish to transfer to four-year universities in pursuit of a Bachelors degree. Four-year university representatives often hold one-on-one appointments with students in the transfer center to answer individual admission questions. The transfer center hosts an annual transfer fair where different college and university representatives are on campus to answer questions and meet with students. Workshops are held throughout the year to support the transfer process including: CSU Applications, UC Applications, The Common Application, Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, and personal statements are some of the common workshops. For more information visit the Transfer Center website at: https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/transfercenter/index.php

    Once you have determined which program(s) you are interested in pursuing, (a certificate, an AA/AS degree, or AA-T/AS-T and/or transfer program) you are then ready to develop your individualized student educational plan. While at COC, you may work on multiple goals. you may earn a certificate, associate degree and/or transfer program if you select your classes wisely!

    This page titled 4.6: Opportunities at College of the Canyons is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Graciela Martinez and Elizabeth Shaker.