Community college students who are exploring transfer degree options can count on Citrus College to lead the way. Citrus now offers transfer degrees in 15 academic disciplines.
In 2010, then California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB1440, the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, which called for community colleges to streamline the transfer process to California State University campuses by developing Associate Degrees for Transfer.
“ADTs are a pathway for students who are looking to transfer to the Cal States and only certain majors apply for these degrees,” Raul Sanchez, event organizer and coordinator of the Citrus College Career/Transfer Center said.
In a recent report issued by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Citrus College is listed as one of five colleges in the state to have completed 100 percent or more of their targets for developing ADTs.
“The target was set during the fall when we said we would develop 13 ADTs, and we are now at 15, so we are at 115 percent of our target,” Arvid Spor, vice president of Student Services and interim vice president of instruction said. “The only school that has done more than us is Berkeley City College, which is currently at 157 percent.”
This is the first time in California history that community college students who have completed ADTs will be guaranteed admission to the California State University.
“The state, in conjunction with the chancellor’s office, came up with templates of degrees called Transfer Motto Curriculum, that allows community colleges to with templates of degrees called Transfer Motto Curriculum, that allows community colleges to know what courses are needed,” Sanchez said. “Right now, only certain templates exist, [Citrus College] create our degrees based off of the templates, we have to go based off of them.”
David Kary, former curriculum chair was instrumental in developing ADTs, Sanchez stated. As curriculum chair, he helped create degrees off of the templates given.
“The desire by the faculty in those different disciplines to move quickly to see what we could do to match the courses we offer with the courses required is the reason for our success,” Spor said.
Although students are guaranteed admission into a CSU, that does not guarantee admission into their top choice of its 23 campuses.
With an ADT, students who have achieved junior status will be given priority consideration when applying to local Cal States. In order to qualify, a transfer student must apply to a specific program that is similar to his/her community college major field of study.
ADT students will not be required to repeat CSU courses that are similar to those taken at the community college level. Implementation of this reform eliminates repetition of unnecessary classes and fees.
Choosing to graduate with an ADT is not a requirement for community college students.
“If you’re ready to go, go. You don’t need an ADT to transfer,” said Sanchez.
Local degrees will continue to be available to every other college and university in the nation, with the exception of CSUs, Nicki Shaw, current curriculum chair said.
“The pro of doing the ADT versus the local degree is that you can only do 60 units here, and [CSUs] can only require you to do 60 units there, and they must get you through in a timely manner,” Shaw said.
“It’s basically a degree with a guarantee. If you meet the admission criteria and they have a program for you, you can go, but it may not be the school you want.”
