Students beginning fall semester classes at College of the Canyons this week will benefit from multiple pathways designed to help them transfer quickly and seamlessly to both public and private four-year universities.

College of the Canyons currently offers 24 Associate Degrees for Transfer, which enable students to transition to California State University campuses.

Known as “a degree with a guarantee,” ADTs provide students with guaranteed admission to a CSU if they earn an associate in arts transfer (AA-T) or associate in science transfer (AS-T) degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements.

Although the guarantee does not include admission to a specific campus or major, the program gives students the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree with as little as 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework beyond the associate degree.

Not surprisingly, the number of students pursuing ADTs at College of the Canyons has increased significantly in recent years. Between 2013, when the first ADTs were awarded, and 2017, the number of degrees awarded at College of the Canyons has grown 703 percent.

For the 2018-19 academic year, the college will offer four additional ADT pathways in Environmental Science (AS-T), Public Health (AS-T), Hospitality Management (AS-T), and Social Justice Studies (AA-T).

Building on the growing success and popularity of ADTs statewide, a new partnership announced recently by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office will expand the program to private universities.

Students who successfully complete an associate degree at any California community college, including College of the Canyons, will now benefit from guaranteed admission into more than 30 private four-year schools.

In addition, the college has existing Transfer Admission Agreements (TAG) with most schools within the University of California system to create a smooth transfer experience for students.

“College of the Canyons has been ahead of the curve in creating guided pathways as an option for our students,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook.

“We look forward to working alongside the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to expand our partnerships with four-year colleges and universities to eliminate achievement gaps and increase transfer rates across the state for the students we serve,” she said.

Guided pathways provide students with a clear-cut academic track, which eliminates any guesswork regarding which classes to take. The implementation of degree pathways at COC has led to successful results.

Over a five-year period, the number of students who completed a degree or certificate program increased by 43 percent. The number of students that completed a degree increased by 115 percent and the number of students who transferred to a four-year school increased by 25 percent.

College of the Canyons was a pioneer in partnering with private non-profit universities to expand access for students. The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center is an invaluable resource for students who wish to earn a four-year degree without leaving the Santa Clarita Valley.

The University Center currently offers 38 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through partner institutions such as CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, University of La Verne, Brandman University and National University.

The latest degree programs to be added include a bachelor’s of science in accounting, and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership, both from the University of La Verne.

More than 3,177 students have graduated from the University Center since it opened its doors on a small scale and with four classrooms in 2002. Convenient access to higher education on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus is the key factor that made it possible for these students to complete their degrees.

Without that option, many would have otherwise been unable to achieve their educational goals.

For more information about ADTs, please visit the college’s web page on academic majors.

Information about degree programs in the University Center can be found at the UCEN web page.