There are two unique tracks for students when they start out at Schoolcraft College: transfer and career. Learn about the right path for you!
Because a two-year college is likely the first step in higher education for many people, it provides a wide range of opportunities depending on students’ academic goals. For many, their plan includes further education at a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. These students are more likely to follow a transfer pathway.
Many students earn an Associate Degree in General Studies or similar credentials when they take this pathway. These students are prepared with a solid foundation in the liberal arts, sciences, languages and more. Classes taken in this pathway can satisfy the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement, which has students complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of college-level credit that fulfills a portion of the lower-division general education requirements at participating four-year colleges or universities.
Schoolcraft College also has some articulation agreements with some four-year schools that will let students transfer up to three years of classes. That means students only need to take one year of courses at the four-year institution, which can save them even more money.
Students will graduate ready to thrive at a four-year institution, such as Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
For those students looking to get a jump in the workforce, the occupational program pathway may be more desirable. Designed for students to pursue immediate employment, this pathway focuses on areas of study such as the skilled trades, health care and public safety.
For students going this route, they may pursue an associate degree, or they may opt to receive either a skills certificate or certificate, a credential that requires fewer – but more specialized – classes.
To better understand the correct pathway for a student’s goals, they are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor before signing up for classes to ensure they are enrolled in the proper pathway. Students may also investigate potential careers by using Career Coach, a free online career assessment and research tool that can be used to explore, prepare for and find the right career.
Offering these two pathways provides students with the opportunity to better prepare for their next steps, said Angela Ackman, Director of Admissions at Schoolcraft College.
“Community college pathways open doors for all students. Whether a student is aiming for a bachelor’s degree or a career-ready credential, we provide the support and resources to ensure they’re on the right path from day one,” she said. “Our programs are designed to give each student the knowledge, skills and guidance they need to succeed once they move onto their next chapter — whether that’s at a four-year university or in the workforce.”