Continuing education in the U.S.

January 4, 2009 3:02 PM

I have an associate's degree in my country, and I'm moving to the U.S. later this year (California). What are the options for continuing with my education in the States?
posted by dcrocha to education (5 comments total)

What is your degree in, and are you hoping to continue in the same field to get a bachelor's or more?
posted by scody at 3:14 PM on January 4

It probably matters what country you're coming from too.
posted by the dief at 3:41 PM on January 4

I would guess you would get some kind of "bulk units" for your previous work if you transferred into a 4-year school (i.e. you get general units towards your overall degree requirement total, so you'd have to take less electives just to rack up units), but it probably won't really count for anything here. I'd pretty much expect to start over and have to take everything required for the degree all over again. Though it'll really depend on your advisor and how much they are willing to "let" you get away with when you enter. They may attempt to see if they can determine how much of your previous work might equate to what they do at the school, and if it's pretty much the same work, they might let that particular class "pass" so you don't have to retake say, basic bio. That's not something we can judge for you on a general basis, though, and I wouldn't really count on a lot (or any) foreign work counting once you get here.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:18 PM on January 4

Not knowing what your visa will allow, you should look for colleges that are registered to accept non-resident foreign aliens. Once you do this, bring a translated version of your translated and certified complete class and grading transcript of your associate's degree to an academic adviser at a community college (this is save you so much time) and see if it lines up with the requirements for the USA. If it is OK, have the adviser write a note or letter certifying you meet the requirements. If not, find out what classes to enroll into to finish the requirements.

You should note: In California, the state has enacted very strenuous budget cuts and has limited enrollment to the University of California; it has also limited enrollment to the California State University to students with a "B"-average or better.
posted by parmanparman at 4:18 PM on January 4 [1 favorite has favorites]

What do you mean when you write

I have an associate's degree in my country ?

Is it just equivalent to an American associate's degree, or did you happen to attend an accredited U.S. institution in another country?

It's pretty difficult to get U.S. universities to acknowledge coursework if you're trying to transfer credits from a non-U.S. college/university towards, for example, a bachelor's degree. It can be hard even for people transferring from a U.S. institution (for example, from a local community college to a four-year university). You might be better off applying as a "new" student (as recommended above).

In general, completed degrees are easier to work with -- for example, if you had a BA from a UK university, you could certainly apply to Masters or PhD programs in the US.

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "continuing education"...
posted by polexa at 7:14 PM on January 4