Community College: A Positive Pathway to Advancing Your Educational & Career Goals

1. Community College: A Positive Pathwayto Advancing Your Educational& Career Goals CAL DAY ~ April 18, 2009 Yvette Flores, Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Berkeley Tanya Ilarde, Merritt College

2. Community College T/F QUIZ

3. Higher Education in California Public Institutions • University of California 10 campuses(9 undergraduate campuses) • California State University – 23 campuses • California Community Colleges – 110 colleges • Largest higher educational system in the nation with more than 2.6 million studentsper year. • The most common form of postsecondary education in California, comprising over 70 percent of all public higher education enrollment in the state. Private Institutions • 76 colleges Data: California Community Colleges, CSU, US (1/31/08) * These totals include health sciences majors, who are often excluded in UC enrollment figures. In 2007, 374 students were health sciences majors at a UC. EdSource 10/08

4. Admission Requirements CCC’s are open access institutions that accept all who apply. The only requirements to attend are: a high school diploma or GED or be at least 18 years of age.

5. CA Community Colleges • 22 community colleges in the bay area. Laney, Merritt, Berkeley, Alameda, Chabot, CCSF, Diablo Valley, Contra Costa College…

6. What do Community Colleges offer? Degree Offerings • Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.) Programs • Certificate Programs (can include career technical courses, transferable courses, and courses specifically for AA degrees) Transfer to 4-year Colleges & Universities • Take first two years (60 units) of college credit (also known as lower division courses) at a community college and then transfer to a 4-year college or university to complete upper-division units/courses. Other • Concurrent Enrollment for HS students. • Concurrent Enrollment for current community college students • Professional Development • Basic Skills • English as a Second Language courses • Personal Enrichment CC’s also offer: • An affordable college education! • Student support services • Extra-curricular activities such as student government, clubs/organizations, athletic programs • Study Abroad Programs!

7. Concurrent Enrollment • Concurrent enrollment provides an opportunity for high school students to get an early start on college by earning college credits while in high school. Many students either take concurrent enrollment classes at a community college or, in certain cases, colleges may offer courses at a high school campus. • To enroll in a concurrent enrollment program, students generally need to complete a concurrent enrollment application specifically for high school students and also complete a general college application. Students must also get consent from their parent/guardian, school counselor, and in certain cases, their principals. • Many college courses taken in high school can be used to fulfill college/university requirements and may count towards high school graduation requirements. • Meeting high school graduation requirements: Each school district may have a slightly different policy on how college courses can meet high school grad requirements. You should speak with a school counselor for information. • Meeting a-g requirements: A college course must be considered a UC transferable course and be at minimum 3 units.

8. Benefits of Concurrent Enrollment • Students get a head start on earning college credits while still in college, saving time and money. • If a student participates in a concurrent enrollment program at their college – courses are FREE (tuition and fees for courses are waived). Books and supplies are NOT free. • Students have an opportunity to take more interesting and challenging courses that may not be offered at their high school. • Allows students to “test the waters” of college learning1 • Students can improve their transition from high school to college by getting a preview of college student life. • Looks great on an application for admission to a four-year college! • Increases your chances of success in college Note: Students should think carefully about which classes they take. Grades received in concurrent enrollment classes will remain on a student’s permanent college record. 1. Source: Education Commission of the States (ECS) http://www.ecs.org/html/issue.asp?issueid=214

9. Concurrent Enrollment for Community College Students • The Concurrent Enrollment Program allows community college students to take a limited amount of courses at a partner four-year college/university (i.e. UC Berkeley) and only pay community college fees. A community college student benefits from this program by experiencing a course at a four-year institution, taking a course not offered at the community college, and enhancing his/her academic record. • Concurrent Enrollment Programs have established partner institutions and have certain eligibility and program requirements, such as a minimum grade point average, unit requirements, and the maximum number of courses allowed.

10. Associate Degree • An associate degree is an academic degree awarded by community colleges and other degree-granting institutions upon completion of a course of study, which usually comprises of a minimum of 60 units of general education courses, as well as courses required for the specific major. • The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree is generally awarded in general areas of study, such as social science and humanities. • The Associate of Science (A.S) degree is generally awarded in areas of concentration that require more specialized courses, such as Nursing. Note: 1 unit is equal to one hour of instruction. Most courses are between 3-5 units. A full-time study load is 12 units. A student may not carry more than 18 units a semester without special permission.

11. Certificates • Community colleges offer various certificate programs, usually known as Certificates of Completion or Certificates of Achievement, which require a specialized curriculum and a minimum number of units (e.g., 12 - 48 units strictly in a specific subject area) and may satisfy employer and/or state requirements for a specific industry (e.g., Child Development, Fire Science, Wood Technology, dental assisting). • For information on Career Technical Education, visit http://www.whodouwant2b.com/

12. Factors for Transfer Admission UNITS • 60+ units completed generally by the end of Spring semester prior to Fall semester start – *upper division status GRADE POINT AVERAGE • 2.0 minimum GPA CSU (selective and impacted majors require much higher GPAs) • 2.4 minimum GPA for UC (many selective UC’s and impacted majors require a much higher GPA, i.e. UC Berkeley) • Eligibility vs. Selectivity GENERAL EDUCATION • fulfilled via university’s breadth requirements or articulated general education pattern with the community college LOWER DIVISION MAJOR PREPARATION • Prerequisite classes for major (for some majors this is a more important factor than GE) • For UC and CSU – visit www.assist.org

13. Other Factors Considered in Transfer Admission • If a school or major is impacted, other factors are considered beyond the 4 factors mentioned: • Special talents, achievements, awards, skills, interests, experiences that demonstrate unusual. promise for leadership, other significant experiences, or achievements that demonstrate promise for contributing to intellectual vitality of a campus. • Academic rigor • Academic accomplishments in light of life experiences and special circumstances • Location of college and residence (for CSU)

14. Transfer Programs and Services • Community College Transfer Centers • UC Transfer Programs: • Transfer Admission Guarantee • Transfer support programs (i.e. UC Berkeley TAP) • CSU Transfer Admission Guarantee • Transfer Agreements with Private Colleges and Universities

15. Other Opportunities • Basic Skills • Non-college transferable English and math classes such as grammar, arithmetic, intermediate algebra • English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses • Professional Development • Personal Enrichment

16. Student Support Services Extended Opportunity Program and Services Puente Disabled Student Program and Services Daraja; Umoja Tutoring Centers Counseling: personal and academic Study Abroad Programs An Affordable Education (see next slide) Community Colleges Also Offer:

17. Cost of Community College In-State (CA resident tuition) • To be eligible for in-state tuition, you have to have lived in California for a year and one day. • $20 per unit • Miscellaneous fees (student activity and health fees) • Estimated cost of tuition/fees can cost up to $600 - $768 for a year. AB540 • The AB540 law was passed in 2001 in order to allow undocumented students to pay resident fees (in-state tuition) in California's public colleges and universities, as long as the student attends a California high school for three years and graduates from a California high school (or attainment of the equivalent such as a GED). Out of State • The estimated statewide average cost of instruction for nonresident students is currently estimated at $135 per semester unit. (Apprx. $3,000 – $4,000 a year) Note: These fees are only a portion of your student budget. Other costs include books, supplies, transportation, and housing, and personal expenses.

18. Per Year Estimated College Costs Estimates by SFSU Student Outreach Services

19. Getting Started: Enrollment Process for CA Community Colleges • Apply to a Community College (www.cccapply.org) – (regardless of residency or citizenship status. All application information is confidential). • Take the English and Math Assessment Exam • Attend an Orientation Session • Meet with a Community College Counselor • Apply for financial aid • Visit the financial aid office to get your paperwork processed • Register for Classes • Pay Registration Fees • Sign up to participate in student support services (optional) • Prepare for first day of classes

20. Questions? • ???