One degree, your choice of pathway
The Associate of Arts covers the general education most state universities require. A major pathway adds the courses your major asks for.
Start here
General Education certificate
1 year
$4,800 full program
- Financial aid eligible
- Day, evening or online
- Counts in full toward the degree
Most students choose
Associate of Arts (transfer)
2 years
$9,600 full program
- Financial aid eligible
- Guaranteed admission with a 2.5 GPA
- Transfer as a junior
Go further
Bachelor’s degree at a state university
2 more years
University tuition
- General education done
- Fourteen major pathways
- Apply by the university’s transfer deadline
Illustrative costs for a fictional college: in-district tuition and fees for the whole program, before aid. Books are about $400 a term, and many courses use free texts.
Photo: Fer Troulik on UnsplashWhat you’ll do
- Take the writing, math, science, arts and social science courses every bachelor’s degree starts with.
- Pick a major pathway in your first term, so each class counts at the university.
- Meet a transfer advisor before 30 credits and once a term after that.
- Choose day, evening or online sections, and mix them.
- Meet the universities at the fall transfer fair, with transcripts reviewed on the spot.
Program map: Associate of Arts (transfer)
Full time, six terms over two years. Part time takes about twice as long.
-
Year 1, fall and winter
- English composition I and II
- College math or statistics
- Pathway course
Pick your major pathway
-
Year 1, spring
- Lab science
- Public speaking
- Pathway course
Earn the General Education certificate
-
Year 2
- Humanities and arts
- Social science
- Second lab science
- Three pathway courses
Earn the Associate of Arts
Finish with a 2.5 GPA or higher and sign up with a transfer advisor before 30 credits, and participating state universities guarantee you a place as a junior.
Majors this leads to
-
Business
Accounting, management and marketing bachelor’s degrees at state universities.
-
Psychology and social work
Counseling, case management and licensed social work after the bachelor’s.
-
Teaching
Early childhood and elementary teaching, with the credential after the degree.
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Communication
Journalism, public relations and digital media.
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Criminal justice
Policing, probation and the courts.
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Nursing (bachelor’s prep)
Prerequisites for a university nursing program, done here for less.
For pay and job outlook by occupation after the bachelor’s degree, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Sample outcome for this fictional program: 71 percent of 2024 graduates enrolled at a four-year university within a year. The figure is invented for the concept.