College questions?

Question

I'm confused about how you earn college degrees.

If you go to community college for two years, do you automatically get a Associates Degree in [insert profession here]? What's exactly the point in taking Community College for 4 years?

Another question is if you can take two community college years, earn an Associates Degree. THEN transfer to a better college and take two years there to get a Bachelors?

Answer 1

1) An AD is cheaper, and if you don't want to go onto a university, you'll be fine. It's a step up from high school, but not quite a 4-year degree.

2) You can usually get your Bachelor's in 1-3 years, depending on how hard you work, your requirements, etc. Chances are it will take just 2 years though. Getting an AD is always a good step, especially if you don't have the money right away.

Answer 2

You don't automatically get an Associates Degree if you go to community college for two years. You need to enroll in an academic program (Business, Art, Science) and take the courses for that particular program - you must also attain a specific GPA. Note that most of the courses offered at community colleges are general courses such as English Composition, Psychology I, College Algebra, etc. and these courses can be transferred to a 4-year college where you can get a Bachelor's degree. Some community colleges have agreements with 4-year universities where the university will grant you admission and will place you as a junior (3rd year) after obtaining an Associates from that CC. Regardless of these agreements, you may be able to transfer your general credits to most universities - just make sure that the courses you take are accepted by the university of your choice.

Answer 3

I work at a community college. You only get an associates if you take the right classes on your degree plan to get the degree you want. A lot of people go this route. As long as the CC is accredited, you should have no problems. However I would check with the school you want to transfer to to make sure they will take the degree . You don't have to get an associates. Many students simply get their basic core classes done at the cheaper CC before going to a more expensive University. I wish I had gone this route and saved A LOT of money.

I suppose you could stay at a CC for 4 years if working full time and taking few classes each semester,

Answer 4

At the junior or community college level, you can earn an Associates Degree (they offer them in so many fields: culinary arts, computer programming, ultrasound technician, etc). You don't go to the CC for a 4 yr degree (but some CC's around me do actually offer 4yr Bachelor degrees in collaboration with some local universities).

And yes, many people will earn their Associates and then transfer to a larger university for their Bachelor's. It's often cheaper that way.

Answer 5

I got my associate of arts plus a concentration in two years at a CC. Both transferred well to the next school. I've never heard of CC for 4 years, unless you kept switching degrees and requirements or just didn't know what you wanted to do yet. I'd consider going to the CC now just to learn a new skill. But only probably for a semester.