Levels of Education & Intro to College Life

1. Levels of Education &Intro to College Life 12/3/13

2. Levels of Higher Education

3. Degree Abbreviations • A.D. – Associate’s Degree • B.A. – Bachelor of Arts • B.F.A. – Bachelor of Fine Arts • B.S. – Bachelor of Science • M.A. – Master of Arts • M.B. – Bachelor of Medicine • M.D. – Doctor of Medicine • M.F.A. – Master of Fine Arts • M.S. – Master of Science • PhD – Doctor of Philosophy • PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy

4. Bachelor’s vs. Associate’s Degree • Bachelor’s Degree programs outperform associate's degrees in most industries (Huffington Post) • ABachelor's Degree carries more weight and has a stronger academic reputation. • A Bachelor’s takes twice as long (4 vs. 2 years) and may therefore cost significantly more $$ • Admissions Requirements • Most students seeking Associates Degrees will focus rather specifically on their course of study, preparing them for entry-level careers in a narrow range of occupations. Because Bachelor’s Degree programs offer a more broad liberal arts education, graduates of these programs often have more career options available to them

5. When Should You Consider A Community College? • A community college offers plenty of benefits & might be a good option for you if one of the following is true: • Cost is an issue. Tuition at most community colleges is quite a bit cheaper than at their four-year counterparts. Even if you plan to eventually attend a four-year school, you can save big bucks by taking a couple of semesters of general prerequisites at a community college. • Your grades don’t make the grade. Unlike competitive four-year colleges, community colleges typically have open admissions policies which only require a high school diploma. Plus, attending a community college is a great way to improve your academic track record in order to get accepted at a four-year college. • You want job-specific training. At a community college, you can usually dive right into a two-year program that will give you specific training for a specialized field or a technical or vocational career. • You’re not quite ready to leave the nest. Plenty of high school grads just aren’t ready for the responsibility of living on their own. Community colleges are a good stepping stone, since you can ease into college courses while still living at home. • You need a flexible schedule. If you need to balance a work schedule or family obligations with school, community colleges offer a lot of flexibility with day, evening or weekend classes, part-time schedules and online courses.

6. Drawbacks of Community College • Choice of Majors and Classes. While course catalogs at community colleges can be extensive, they can’t compare to the number of majors and classes you’ll have to choose from at a four-year college. • Academic Regimen. Community colleges, by design, serve a broad-based student body. In order to accommodate the varied backgrounds and abilities of students, classes might move at a slower pace than at a four-year school. • Collegiate Experience. From dorm-living and hanging out on the quad, to school spirit and homecoming celebrations, four-year colleges give you the camaraderie of being in a university setting and a traditional collegiate experience that you just won’t find at a community college. • Salary and Job Security.  For nearly all jobs, employees with bachelor’s degrees will be paid higher than those with associate’s degrees.  The average starting salary for those with bachelor’s degrees is 20% higher than those with associate’s degrees, and the average salary of experienced workers is 45% higher.  Plus, those with bachelor’s degrees are less likely to be laid off by their employers. • Graduation Rates. Students at four-year colleges are much more likely to actually earn their degree than students at community colleges.  In Texas in 2010, the graduation rate at four-year colleges was 49%, while the graduation rate at community colleges was just 13%.

7. Jobs That Require an M.A. or M.D. • -Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Guidance or Mental Health Counselor • -Psychologist • -Pharmacist (requires Pharm. D. and passing the NAPL exam) • -Physical Therapist • -Medical Scientist • -Doctor, Nurse or Physician Assistant • -Veterinarian • -Optometrist or Audiologist • -Museum conservator/curator • -School Administrator (principal, college admin…) *health professions require licensing and examination*

8. A Typical Schedule • Four-six courses at a time that range between 2-4 credits each • A mix of electives to meet general education requirements (ex. one science, one math, one English, one social/cultural studies…) • Take courses within your major, once declared, usually beginning in your sophomore year • Courses build off of each other beginning with 100-level foundation courses and ending with 400-level advanced courses in your area of study • Classes meet once or twice a week and range from 1-4 hours in length • Classes are held any time between 8 AM and 10 PM

9. Keep in Mind: • The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys employers each year and asks them to rate the top qualities and skills they look for with new college hires. Here is the list for 2011: • 1. Communication skills (Verbal) • 2. Strong work ethic • 3. Teamwork skills • 4. Analytical skills • 5. Initiative • 6. Problem-solving skills • 7. Communication skills (Written) • 8. Interpersonal skills • 9. Computer skills • 10. Flexibility/adaptability