does it take longer to start with a associates if you want a bachelor degree in accounting or any other major?

Question

I'm interested in a bachelor's degree in accounting, and there is this comunity college that just offers associates degrees, but it's easier to get into the college (no SAT or ACT) and they say you can eventually transfer to a four year college.
if I take this option, will it take me longer to finish the career?
or is easier to just prepare and start a bachelors program?
or there is no diference?
it is harder to get and bachelors if I started with an associate?
how dificult is to transfer?
thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

If you don't have a lot of money it is definitely easier to get a bachelor with an associate degree. But it might take a half a year longer, maybe, it will depends on the school. Most schools require that your last 20 or 30 credits come from their institution,so when you come with an associate degree you start off at junior level and all you have to do is complete the last 30 odd credits. Because your Gen-eds will have been completed all you have to do is take your major. This is where the problem comes in most class you can't take all you major classes in one lump sum for example you can't take Accounting I, II, and III all in the same semester and then take Acct IV and advance in the same semester you might have to go over another semester to cover it all. The other thing is you won't have the same scholarship opportunities if you already have a degree. But is is easier to do all your Gen-eds at a community college. I went to Robert Morris college for my first year and three months before I earned my associate degree I transferred to a major college with a large transfer grant (you have to excellent grades for that) and my Robert Morris classmates graduated with their BA six months before me in a winter graduation. I graduated from a major college in the summer so there are the pros and cons. Check around and base your decision on first hand research.

Answer 2

Nope. It probably wont take longer. In community college, you can complete most of your general education courses (you will still have to take general courses even if you apply straight out of high school) and when you transfer, you would be able to focus more on your major. (you wont have to worry about completing most of the general ed requirements because you've completed them in community college) Also, when you transfer, you transfer in as a Junior. So, you would only need to take 2 more years (or so) and you will be able to get your bachelors.

I dont think its hard to get a bachelors if you get an associate degree first. I think you will have more job opportunities because you have an associates degree and you will get more pay than a regular college student. Associates degree allows you to get a better job while pursuing your bachelors degree.

Transfering is not that diffcult. However, you will be competing with other transfer students. But, as long as you put in the work, you shouldnt have a problem transfering. There are counselors at the community colleges to help you with the process and I've heard that 4 year schools are "nicer" to transfer students. I'm not sure if its true or not, but somebody told me that if a high school student and a community college student both apply for a spot at a 4 year school, the school will lean towards the college student a little more. Also, there could be some agreements between community colleges and some 4 year schools. You basically have to complete the required courses on that agreement at your community college and have a certain GPA. When you finish, the 4 year school will guarantee you a spot in their school. If you decide to go to community college first, you should look into this. I strongly recommend asking your schools counselors if they have a "transfer guarantee agreement" or similar (different schools could have differnent names for it...at my school its called the transfer articulation agreement)

If you want to go to a community college and then transfer, i suggest you talk with the counselors there and tell them about your plans to get a bachelors degree. They can help you plan out what classes you will need to take inorder to transfer.

There is no difference between transfering from a community college and applying for the 4 year school directly. Both are good ways to get to the 4 year school. Its just based on each individual's situation, sutiability and needs.


good luck and sorry for the really long answer.

Answer 3

Eh, associate degree isn't worth much. Go for the bachelors right away. With an associates degree you probably wouldn't get a job much better than clerical work such as sorting through company reciepts and audits.