Download File - Los Angeles Harbor College

Q & A’S ABOUT COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Frequently Asked Questions by All Students
1. What type of goal may I pursue at Harbor College?
Harbor College provides a number of options for community college
students:
• Obtaining an A.A. or A.S. degree from the college
• Obtaining a certificate of competence in a vocational area.
• Preparing to transfer to a university.
• Taking courses to enhance or learn a skill.
• Taking courses for personal interest.
2. What if I am undecided about my goals?
You should discuss your educational and career plans with a counselor.
Our Career Center can help you determine which aptitudes might
lead you into a successful field of employment. A counselor can help
you choose courses which will prepare you for a variety of options.
3. What is the difference between the Associate in Arts
and the Associate in Science degree?
The college offers AA and AS degrees for both transfer and non
transfer students. In order to understand them, let’s take them in order:
Degrees for students who wish to transfer: The college offers a
Liberal Arts and Sciences degree, which, when completed along with
major requirements, allows for transfer. In order to choose the option
which is best for you, it is important to see a counselor.
Degrees for students who do not wish to transfer: In most
occupational areas, the Associate in Science degree can be earned in
a specific occupational field. Students can also earn a Liberal Arts
Associate in Arts non transfer degree. This is typically chosen by
students who want to increase their breadth of knowledge, for personal
interest or for job advancement.
4. How long may I take to complete a college program?
If you are not receiving financial aid or veterans benefits, there is no
time limit for degree or certificate requirements. If you are receiving
financial aid…
Won’t the requirements change if I take a long time to finish a
degree or certificate?
If you are continuously enrolled, the requirements stated in the
catalog during the year you begin will remain applicable throughout
your stay at Harbor College.
Frequently Asked Questions by Transfer Students
1. If I obtain a degree from Harbor, am I automatically
ready to transfer to a university?
Not necessarily. You must follow your major and general education
requirements for the university of your choice. A counselor can
help you choose between following the CSU General Education
Requirement, the UC Breadth Requirements, or the Intersegmental
General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements,
which allow you to transfer to either the UC or CSU systems. Private
colleges have individual general education articulation agreements
with Harbor College; a counselor can help you interpret the necessary
coursework for any private college. The important thing to remember
is that you must see a counselor early in your college career, so that
you can make the most informed choices.
2. What is meant by General Education coursework?
General Education courses are a range of core subjects which focus
upon critical thinking, reading and writing, analysis, criticism and
synthesis of information. They provide the broad base of knowledge
which provides a foundation of learning outside your major area of
study. For a list of general education options, consult the contents of
the catalog and see a counselor for clarification.
3. What is meant by General Education certification?
There are two types of General Education certification:
1. All CSU’s require a common pattern of 39 units. Harbor
College will certify your completion. CSU will honor this
certification; that is they will not require additional courses
in lower division General Education after transferring.
Completion of general education requirements is not necessarily
a requirement for university admission; students can often finish
general education requirements at the university level after
transfer. If possible, however, completing all general education
courses at Harbor is strongly advised
2. All CSU’s and UC’s participate in the IGETC (Intersegmental
General Education Transfer Curriculum). This package allows a
student to take a core group of general education transfer courses
which, in combination with completion of courses required
in preparation for a major, will allow transfer to any CSU or
UC campus. If you choose this option, you must complete the
general education coursework, and be fully certified by Harbor
College, before transferring. Partial certification is allowed only
with prior approval and for a specific hardship that occurred in
the final term before transfer.
2012-2014 General Catalog Degree and Certifi cate Programs * 51