Associate in Arts The transfer degree
Your Pathway to Success
PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE
great place to start! Whether your goal is to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher or to pursue another career, you can start your education at Palm Beach State College and get on the right track. Palm Beach State is one path you can take to earn your four-year bachelor’s degree. You can earn your Associate in Arts degree at Palm Beach State first and then transfer to a university to complete the last two years of your bachelor’s degree.
Why earn an A.A. degree? There are plenty of reasons for earning your A.A. “transfer degree” first. Since tuition at public community and state colleges in Florida costs less,
save thousands of dollars. You are also able to stay close to home and attend smaller classes where you you can
are known by professors and fellow students. More importantly, the courses you take for the A.A. degree are the
same courses you would
take during the first two years at a university. The key difference is that you will not pay nearly as much for them. You do the math. Earning an A.A. degree at Palm Beach State is a great way to start!
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36 +24 60 credits
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AA
Degree
Understanding the A.A. degree In the simplest terms, an A.A. degree is the first two years of your bachelor’s degree. It’s 60 credit hours (36 credit hours of general education classes and 24 credit hours of electives). When you complete your A.A. degree at Palm Beach State, you’re guaranteed admission as a junior to one of the state universities in Florida or to a private college or university that’s part of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). This guarantee does not apply to the university’s limited access programs. The
36 credit hours of general education are classes in:
The classes you take for your general education requirements are determined by your career
here 2 + 2there years
years
Bachelor’s Degree
goals. In other words, it depends on what your major (focus of study) will be when you transfer. That’s also where your
24 credits come in. These credits have lots of names–electives, prerequisites, program transfer courses…but whatever you call them, they’re classes that will be necessary for the major you will pursue for your bachelor’s degree. So, if you know you want to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, for example, both your 36 and your 24 credit hours should be classes that build the foundation for your major in business.
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How do you decide what’s right for you? See an academic advisor! Schedule an appointment. Your advisor will consider both the bachelor’s degree you want to pursue and the university you want to attend and guide you to take the classes that the university will expect of you.
One size does not fit all!
This takes a bit of investigating, and Palm Beach State has the advisors to help you get it right.
majors you can pursue at your transfer university upon completing your A.A. Below are just a few of the many
degree. To see a complete list of university majors available in Florida, go to
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www.facts.org.
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www.palmbeachstate.edu/AreasOfStudy.xml
Honors College Prepare to be challenged! The Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College offers general education and elective honors courses that focus on
critical
thinking discussions, presentations and in-depth learning. Completing honors courses may even help you earn scholarships! Depending on how many honors classes you take and other criteria, you can earn either an Honors Diploma or an Honors Certificate. To find out more, go to
www.palmbeachstate.edu/Honors.xml.
Leadership opportunities. Fun. At Palm Beach State, you will enjoy many of the same experiences that you would during the first two years at a university. With more than 75
student clubs and organizations at our four campuses, you have opportunities to get involved, make new friends, participate in the arts, hone your leadership skills and serve your community. You also can get involved in intramural sports or
cheer on the Panthers
baseball, volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s basketball teams.
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Bachelor’s degrees at Palm Beach State Students who receive an A.A. degree also can choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Palm Beach State.
Bachelor of Applied Science: • Supervision and Management Concentrations in: General
Management Public Safety Management Health Management
• Information Management Concentrations in: Database
Management Network & Security Assurance (IT Forensics)
Bachelor of Science: • Nursing (Starting in 2012) Please note that pursuing these bachelor’s degree programs as an A.A. degree graduate may require that you take additional coursework. Please speak with an academic advisor early about your career goals to ensure you take the correct path.
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Other important facts you need to know The guarantee of university
If you’re not sure what major
admission with an A.A. degree
you want, or you need more
does not guarantee admission
information about various careers
“limited access”
to a
before making a decision,
program. In a limited access
schedule an appointment with
program, the admissions
a career counselor at Palm Beach
requirements may include a
State Career Centers. They have a
higher grade point average,
wealth of resources to help you
higher test scores, auditions
identify your goals and
and/or portfolios. Selection is
how to reach them.
competitive, but A.A. grads have the same opportunity to enroll in these programs as students who begin at that university.
You have one other tool to help you plan:
www.facts.org.
This online system gives you access to information on
While you may not have the
programs and courses at Florida’s
same guarantee at a university
28 colleges and 11 universities.
outside Florida, many of
You can access transcripts and
your A.A. courses will transfer, but
grades and compare colleges and
it depends upon the individual
universities, plus access other
university.
helpful information. Click on
If you don’t finish your A.A. at Palm Beach State, the courses you take here are not guaranteed to transfer to a university in Florida unless the university offers that same course. The guarantee comes with A.A. degree completion!
change your mind about your major or the
If you
university you want to attend, be sure to see an advisor. Together, you can work out the needed changes to your educational plan.
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“Site Tour” to explore the site. Keep in mind, however, that exploring www.facts.org is
no substitute for seeing an advisor regularly for the most up-to-date, accurate guidance.
Now you’re ready to move forward and go for that A.A. degree‌
apply now!
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Palm Beach State College
Associate in Arts The transfer degree
Belle Glade 1977 College Dr.
Boca Raton 3000 Saint Lucie Ave.
Lake Worth 4200 Congress Ave.
Palm Beach Gardens 3160 PGA Blvd.
For more information call 561.967.7222
www.PalmBeachState.edu/AreasOfStudy.xml Palm Beach State College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its facilities, educational programs, employment or activities without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College. The Commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's non-compliance with an accreditation requirement or standard.