Education Plan Components

Most students indicate they are interested in pursuing either a degree, certificate or diploma. Thus, you will want to familiarize yourself with the various educational plans that are available to you. If you are new to college, the assessments will help you plan where to start. Others will bring transfer credits that contribute to your program and there are various tools available to help you track your progress towards completing requirements.

Certificates and Diplomas are typically shorter term education plans designed to develop entry-level employment in a specific careers and occupations such as Childcare Teacher, IT Help Desk or Legal Office Assistant. These education plans may or may not include general education courses. They are designed to be more career specific in nature.

Degrees are typically two-year associate and four-year bachelor programs vary in design and in purpose. These two-year and four-year degrees require a significant amount of general education credits commonly called liberal arts courses that are part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). These liberal arts courses tend to be broad in nature and include categories such as English, communication, science and humanities.

The Associate in Science (AS) and the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) two-year degrees are designed to provide entry-level skills needed to enter the workforce or launch another career. The important difference between these two career programs is that the Associate in Applied Science degree is not intended for transfer. In contrast, the Associate in Science degree may transfer, but is designed to transfer to one or two specific programs at specific colleges outlined in articulation agreements between the institutions. Some examples of AS and AAS degrees include nursing, business and paralegal.

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is designed to satisfy the general education requirements for the public colleges in Minnesota. If you plan to transfer to a four-year university, then consider completing the MnTC or an AA degree. In addition to the general education requirements, the AA degree requires a variety of elective credits that allow you to choose courses that effectively prepare you for specific majors. Students who are undecided about their education plans will typically choose one of these programs because of its flexibility and broad applicability.

The Associate in Fine Art (AFA) degree allows you to focus on studio art courses in preparation for transfer, to perfect skills and talents in art, or to build your artistic portfolio.

The Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree normally requires four years of college-level course work that builds on your general education courses and concentrates on a major or program in more depth. Students who are undecided or transfering to a four-year university or college will often complete an AA degree or the MnTC because they are designed to be more seamless in transfer.

Further education beyond the bachelor's degree can include a master's degree or doctoral degree. Some master's degrees are designed to lead to an eventual doctoral degree.

Find Out More located to the right is designed to help you explore the different education plans available to you. Careful planning can help you meet your short-term, as well as your long-term education goals.