Mission College Associate Degree for Transfer Explained

I'm thinking of pursuing an Associate Degree for Transfer at Mission College. How does this streamline the transfer process to a four-year university, and what should I expect along the way?

An Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is a special degree offered through the California Community Colleges system that gives students with this degree a streamlined transfer path to certain four-year universities within the California State University (CSU) system.

The idea is that with an ADT, you're guaranteed admission to the CSU system (though not necessarily to a specific campus or major). The degree lays out clear coursework that you need to complete, which aligns with the lower division requirements at CSU schools. This way, you won't end up taking unnecessary credits that won't transfer over.

Once you're admitted to a CSU, your coursework will cover the first two years of the bachelor's degree program, and you'll enter as a junior. The intended goal is to reach the bachelor's degree in just two years after transferring, as if you had originally enrolled in the CSU out of high school. However, be mindful that certain highly impacted majors or programs may have other prerequisites or screenings to get admitted.

You will generally follow these steps:

1. First, choose your ADT, and make sure it aligns with the bachelor's degree program you plan on pursuing at CSU, as different ADTs are designed for different majors.

2. Complete the 60 transferable semester units necessary for the ADT. These will include general education requirements and lower-division major courses.

3. Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA). This minimum GPA may vary depending on the specific transfer path and the CSU campus.

4. Apply to your desired CSU campuses during the application period, typically between October and December for the following fall semester. Discuss your plans and timeline with an academic counselor at Mission College to ensure a smooth transfer process.

Remember, an ADT guarantees admission into a CSU, but not to a specific campus or major. You have to consider backup options in case you aren't admitted to your first-choice campus or program.

Furthermore, while the ADT can streamline your transfer to a CSU, it doesn't provide the same advantages for out-of-state universities or University of California (UC) schools. To prepare for those pathways, you'd want to look at their specific transfer requirements. For example, some institutions may prefer that you focus on major-specific coursework before applying for a transfer, rather than the broader base of the ADT.

I hope you find this overview helpful, and good luck with your pursuit of your ADT!