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An associate degree will give a student more employment opportunities and an edge in getting those jobs, Counselor Rosa Maria Gonzalez said Monday.
"It might give you the little extra edge when applying for a job," she said.
She is part of the Graduation Committee in charge of organizing the Graduation Project. This is an effort by the college to increase the number of graduates.
"Many of the faculty and staff have an associate degree. It is great for a résumé.
"It is a milestone to get them motivated and continue on; it is not to discourage getting a bachelor's degree. They are just getting it (associate degree) along the way."
Students who obtain an associate degree can earn up to $7,000 or more on an annual income than a high school graduate, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Students with an associate degree may also be eligible for a Texas Grant upon transfer.
The program is to provide money for students who qualify and would like to attend a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in Texas.
Students with an associate degree might also have an opportunity to learn skills in either technical areas or general academics needed for transfer and employability, she said.
This year the college is trying to push graduation opportunities on students to make graduation a top priority.
Efforts include providing counseling and advisement regarding the associate degree requirements and making the providing information on the process of applying for graduation.
Students typically follow a transfer plan, which includes a core curriculum that must be accepted by all Texas public colleges, allowing for a smoother transition for transfer students, she said.
While completing the core curriculum for a specific major, students may also become eligible for an associate degree.
The first step for students who are interested in obtaining an associate degree is to perform a degree audit, which can be done online or with a counselor.
A degree audit shows how courses apply to a specific degree plans.
Students are strongly encouraged to visit with a counselor to receive a preliminary degree evaluation and to discuss degree options and appropriate catalog year, she advised, noting that audits on the Web site are not always accurate.
Students who qualify for graduation have the option to participate in the actual ceremony or simply apply for the degree to be received by mail.
However, there are no fees for any of the graduation process. The college provides caps and gowns.
Students who wish to participate in commencement must submit an application by Feb. 27.
If students miss the Feb. 27 deadline, they must meet on March 2-March 27 with a counselor or with an adviser in the department of the student's major, and if qualified, may still participate in the commencement.
If students do not wish to participate in the graduation ceremony, then the deadline for applications is May 1.
Commencement is scheduled for 10a.m. May 9 at Municipal Auditorium, 100 Auditorium Circle.
Applications are available online on the college Web site or may be picked up in the admissions and records office in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center.
All applications must be submitted to admissions and records
For more information, contact Gonzalez in Room 123 of Moody Learning Center or call 733-2752 or 733-2984.
Or students may e-mail her at rgonzalez1@mail.accd.edu.
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