Page 62 - myGuide 12.SEPT.2012

 Completing an associate degree before a bachelor’s degree is not required; however, you must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in a master’s degree program. Some students decide to complete an associate degree and then enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Generally, most credits earned towards an associate degree may be applied towards a bachelor’s degree program in the future. Other students decide to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program from the start.

 If you have transfer credit and are looking to maximize it towards a particular degree program, make sure to contact your advising team for options. They can provide an estimated analysis to see which programs are best for your situation.

 If you are using a particular source of funding (Financial Aid, Tuition Assistance, VA Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc.), it is strongly recommended that you check all requirements and ensure the degree program of choice will be covered. Another thing to consider would be how much funding will be able to be applied towards a particular degree. Will it be covered completely or will you need to pay for part of the costs?

 Another thing to consider is does the career path you have in mind require additional certifications or schooling? As an example, a student interested in Information Technology may select a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology to learn the basics required in this career path; however, as the job market is very competitive, it would be in the student’s best interest to seek additional certifications such as CISSP, CCNA, MCSE, etc. to enhance career prospects.