Shasta College Continues Efforts to Increase Transfer Rates with Associate Degrees for Transfer (10/30/2013)

REDDING - Like other community colleges statewide, Shasta College has been creating and approving degrees that transfer seamlessly into the CSU system in order to eliminate barriers for students and prevent them from having to repeat courses.  The legislation that cleared the way for these degrees, called “Associate Degrees for Transfer” or ADTs, was passed in 2012 and community colleges have been challenged to create up to 22 ADTs in disciplines from math and English to physics and philosophy.  At the state level, several more models for ADTs may be produced in the next year or two. 

As of Fall 2013, Shasta College has nine of these degrees available for students:  Administration of Justice, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Early Childhood Education, Kinesiology, Psychology, Sociology, Studio Arts, and Theatre Arts.  By Fall 2014, the college plans to have several more approved in English, Physics, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Music.

“Shasta has outpaced many other colleges in the creation of these degrees because we see the value for our students planning to transfer,” said Superintendent/President Joe Wyse.  “If a student completes one of these degrees, all courses are automatically accepted by the CSU and the student starts in his or her chosen program at the junior level.”  ADTs at the community college level cannot be more than 60 units, and the CSU can require only 60 more for a bachelor’s degree.

Students completing the degrees are given priority for enrollment at CSUs, although they may not be admitted to every CSU campus or to impacted programs.  In addition, the degrees require that students maintain a certain GPA level.  For more information about Transfer Degrees, visit the following website:  adegreewithaguarantee.com.