I'm thinking of starting a business degree at Arapahoe Community College. How does their business transfer degree work, and is it easy to move those credits to a four-year university later on?
A business transfer degree is specifically designed to facilitate the transition from a community college to a four-year college or university. At Arapahoe Community College, you would likely opt for the Associate of Arts (AA) in Business transfer degree, which is part of the Colorado Statewide Articulation Agreement.
Essentially, this agreement allows students to complete the first two years of their bachelor's degree at a community college, making for a smooth transition to a four-year institution in Colorado. By following the prescribed coursework in the AA in Business transfer degree, you'd complete the lower-division general education requirements, in addition to lower-division business major courses.
Do note that specific courses may differ based on the four-year institution you're aiming for. It's always a good idea to work with an academic advisor at Arapahoe Community College as well as a representative from the university you plan to transfer to, to ensure alignment of your course choices.
According to the Colorado Department of Higher Education, after completing the declared AA or Associate of Science (AS) degree, you can transfer to a Colorado public four-year college as a junior within your field of study. However, keep in mind that admission to the receiving institution is not guaranteed.
It's crucial to maintain solid academic performance because the receiving institution, particularly more competitive ones, might set grade point average requirements for transfer students. Therefore, the "ease" of transferring credits may largely depend on your academic performance and adherence to the designed course pathway.
Overall, the business transfer degree can be an excellent stepping stone towards a bachelor's degree, allowing you to explore your interest at a lower cost before committing to a four-year institution, so long as you stay diligent with your academic planning.
Remember, it's always important to research your desired universities' specific transfer policies since nuances may exist. Make sure to consistently communicate with academic advisors at both institutions to verify your planned path.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.