Associate in Arts. The transfer degree. Your Pathway to Success

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1 Associate in Arts The transfer degree Your Pathway to Success

2 PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE great place to start! Whether your goal is to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher or to pursue another career, you can start your education at Palm Beach State College and get on the right track. Palm Beach State is one path you can take to earn your four-year bachelor s degree. You can earn your Associate in Arts degree at Palm Beach State first and then transfer to a university to complete the last two years of your bachelor s degree. Why earn an A.A. degree? There are plenty of reasons for earning your A.A. transfer degree first. Since tuition at public community and state colleges in Florida costs less, save thousands of dollars. You are also able to stay close to home and attend smaller classes where you you can are known by professors and fellow students. More importantly, the courses you take for the A.A. degree are the same courses you would take during the first two years at a university. The key difference is that you will not pay nearly as much for them. You do the math. Earning an A.A. degree at Palm Beach State is a great way to start! 2

3 Understanding the A.A. degree In the simplest terms, an A.A. degree is the first two years of your bachelor s degree. It s 60 credit hours (36 credit hours of general education classes and 24 credit hours of electives). When you complete your A.A. degree at Palm Beach State, you re guaranteed admission as a junior to one of the state universities in Florida or to a private college or university that s part of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). This guarantee does not apply to the university s limited access programs credits AA Degree The 36 credit hours of general education are classes in: 2 + The classes you take for your general education years here requirements are determined by your career goals. In other words, it depends on what your major (focus of study) will be when you transfer. That s also where your 24 credits come in. These credits have lots of names electives, prerequisites, program transfer courses but whatever you call them, they re classes that will be necessary for the major you will years there 2Bachelor s Degree pursue for your bachelor s degree. So, if you know you want to earn a bachelor s degree in business, for example, both your 36 and your 24 credit hours should be classes that build the foundation for your major in business. 3 4

4 How do you decide what s right for you? See an academic advisor! Schedule an appointment. Your advisor will consider both the bachelor s degree you want to pursue and the university you want to attend and guide you to take the classes that the university will expect of you. One size does not fit all! This takes a bit of investigating, and Palm Beach State has the advisors to help you get it right. majors you can pursue at your transfer university upon completing your A.A. Below are just a few of the many degree. To see a complete list of university majors available in Florida, go to 5 6

5 Honors College Prepare to be challenged! The Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College offers general education and elective honors courses that focus on critical thinking discussions, presentations and in-depth learning. Completing honors courses may even help you earn scholarships! Depending Bachelor s degrees at Palm Beach State on how many honors classes you take and other criteria, you can earn bachelor s degree at Palm Beach State. either an Honors Diploma or an Honors Certificate. To find out more, go to Students who receive an A.A. degree also can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science: Supervision and Management Concentrations in: General Leadership opportunities. Fun. At Palm Beach State, you will enjoy many of the same experiences that you would during the first two years at a university. With more than 75 student clubs and organizations at our four campuses, you have opportunities to get involved, make new friends, participate in the arts, hone your leadership skills and serve your community. You also can get involved in intramural sports or cheer on the Panthers baseball, volleyball, softball and men s and women s basketball teams. 7 Management Public Safety Management Health Management Information Management Concentrations in: Database Management Network & Security Assurance (IT Forensics) Bachelor of Science: Nursing (Starting in 2012) Please note that pursuing these bachelor s degree programs as an A.A. degree graduate may require that you take additional coursework. Please speak with an academic advisor early about your career goals to ensure you take the correct path. 8

6 Other important facts you need to know The guarantee of university If you re not sure what major admission with an A.A. degree you want, or you need more does not guarantee admission information about various careers limited access to a before making a decision, program. In a limited access schedule an appointment with program, the admissions a career counselor at Palm Beach requirements may include a State Career Centers. They have a higher grade point average, wealth of resources to help you higher test scores, auditions identify your goals and and/or portfolios. Selection is how to reach them. competitive, but A.A. grads have the same opportunity to enroll in these programs as students who begin at that university. You have one other tool to help you plan: This online system gives you access to information on While you may not have the programs and courses at Florida s same guarantee at a university 28 colleges and 11 universities. outside Florida, many of You can access transcripts and your A.A. courses will transfer, but grades and compare colleges and it depends upon the individual universities, plus access other university. helpful information. Click on If you don t finish your A.A. at Palm Beach State, the courses you take here are not guaranteed to transfer to a university in Florida unless the Site Tour to explore the site. Keep in mind, however, that exploring is no substitute for seeing an advisor regularly for the most up-to-date, accurate guidance. university offers that same course. The guarantee comes with A.A. Now you re ready degree completion! to move forward change your mind about your major or the If you university you want to attend, be sure to see an advisor. Together, you can work out the needed changes to your educational plan. 9 and go for that A.A. degree apply now! 10

7 Palm Beach State College Associate in Arts The transfer degree Belle Glade 1977 College Dr. Boca Raton 3000 Saint Lucie Ave. Lake Worth 4200 Congress Ave. Palm Beach Gardens 3160 PGA Blvd. For more information call Palm Beach State College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its facilities, educational programs, employment or activities without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia or call (404) for questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College. The Commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's non-compliance with an accreditation requirement or standard.