1. The New AA-T & AS-T Degrees: What Do Counselors Need To Know?
This is the FINAL version as of Aug 7, 2012
This PPT is intended for counselors to use as they give workshops to counselors and other faculty and staff at their colleges.
You may want to use Handouts to accompany powerpoint:
-Powerpoint slides
-Glossary
Reciprocity statement
Note: Anyone presenting this powerpoint should have internet access
Information for counselors & other transfer personnel

2. It all began. . .with SB 1440
AKA: “STAR Act”: Student Transfer Achievement Reform
CEC § (“Ed Code”)
Goal: increase CCC transfers with associate degrees
Increase number of associate degrees awarded
Reduce units/cost before & after transfer
Smoother path to transfer to a CSU
A guarantee at CSU
egrees

3. Ed code § says:
All CCCs must offer associate degrees for transfer (to CSU)
Degrees include
60 sem./90 qtr. CSU-transferable units
Completion of IGETC or CSU GE-Breadth
Minimum 18 sem./27 qtr. units in major
No additional local requirements allowed

4. Who’s been involved with implementing SB 1440?
Academic Senates (CCC and CSU)
CSU and CCC Chancellor’s Offices
C-ID
Curriculum chairs
Articulation officers
Transfer Center Directors
Discipline faculty
Counselors
Administrators

5. What could have happened. . .
A concerted, statewide, intersegmental Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) 
112 colleges develop unique degrees in each major. . . OR
SB 1440 didn’t say that we needed a statewide implementation strategy. It was the CCC and CSU faculty (senates) that decided a statewide system (TMC) was the best way to implement SB 1440.

6. How Transfer Model Curricula (TMCs) are developed
Faculty discipline groups:
identify common lower division major preparation (TMC)
define content for courses (C-ID course descriptors)
Discipline groups are intersegmental (CSU and CCC)
some UC involvement, too
Draft TMCs are vetted statewide ( & faculty determined.
Drafts of Course descriptors (C-ID) vetted statewide
CCCs develop TMC- aligned degrees (AA-T/AS-T) and submit them to the CCCCO for approval.

7. “Similar” Each CSU determines if the TMC is similar
“Similar” means a transfer student arrives with the TMC coursework and lower-division GE ,and the CSU campus can deliver the baccalaureate degree in 60 units. ( )
Some options/ concentrations within majors may not be considered similar.
Upper-division GE must be part of the 60 units. Any missing lower-division major preparation or American Institutions requirements may be included in the CSU 60 units

8. Mapping of CSU “Similar” Majors
Many TMCs already found to be similar
Departments at each CSU determine “similarity” of each TMC to degree options
Some “similar” majors are limited to specific major concentrations or options.
Official repository for “similar” majors:
Please stress that the list of similar majors can change and the website should be checked frequently.
Screen has a hyperlink to sb1440.org . Show the group the “similar” list. Under “counseling” find the bullet about CSU similar majors.

9. TMCs Available for CCC to Develop Aligned AA-T/AS-T Degrees
Administration of Justice
Art History
Business Administration
Communication Studies
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
English
Geology
Geography
History
Journalism
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Music
Psychology
Physics
Political Science
Sociology
Studio Arts
Theater
And: MORE are coming!
NOTE---Coming very soon: Anthropology, computer science, philosophy, Spanish

10. Approved AA-T/AS-T degrees at ___x___ College (insert your college)
Insert AA-T in ____
Insert AS-T in _____
Etc.
Each campus does their own slide. Another slide should be developed to show approved AA-T/AS-T degrees at your college.
Please feel free to add picture of your own college
This slide needs to be updated as curriculum changes at your college

11. Currently in the curriculum approval process at our college
Insert .
Each campus fills in their own slide and picture
This slide needs to be updated as curriculum changes.

12. What is C-ID? C-ID = Course Identification Numbering System
Administered by the Academic Senate for CCC
Facilitates the identification of comparable courses (“common course numbering”) & increases articulation across all systems of higher education
Provides the infrastructure for TMCs & course substitution.
Replaces the old “CAN” system.
We articulate to course descriptors, not course to course ( a different way to articulate). AOs send all your courses in new degrees to C-ID.org
When a college has a C-ID approved course, then they have agreed to accept all others with the same C-ID number.
Go to C-ID website. Hyperlink is in the subject line. C-ID definition/explanation: The Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID) is administered by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. It is a system to facilitate the identification of comparable courses and increase articulation across all segments of higher education in the state. C-ID addresses the need for a “common course numbering system” to simplify student movement both within the California community colleges and intersegmentally. With the passage of SB 1440, the C-ID system provides the infrastructure TMC. It replaces the CAN system. “Articulate to course descriptors, not course to course” – different way to articulate. If your college has a C-ID approved course, then we have agreed to accept all others with the same C-ID.
On C-ID website: What’s New section, tabs up top – especially TMC tab. NOTE for course substitution, you may need to look at original TMCs on C-ID website. See Handout on course substitution.

13. Overview of AA-T /AS-T Degrees
Streamline student transition from CCC to CSU
Earn AA-T or AS-T for completion of CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC and 18 units in major in the TMC-aligned degree
No other local CCC graduation requirements.
Enhanced CSU admission opportunities
Guaranteed priority admission with junior status to a CSU campus with “similar” major
After transfer to CSU, guaranteed degree completion within 60 semester units at the CSU
Lower cost to students and taxpayers
Access to out of area CSUs
GPA bump for impacted majors and/or campuses (Note: student may need to be more competitive)
Refer to later slides for more detail

14. What’s required?
New degrees are called Associate in Arts or Science in <major> for Transfer: AA-T or AS-T
Degrees include
60 sem./90 qtr. CSU-transferable units
Completion of IGETC or CSU GE-Breadth
Minimum 18 sem./27 qtr. units in major
No additional local requirements allowed
Chancellor’s Office says that based on curriculum offered at your college in alignment with the TMC, CCCs will need to offer many more degrees
Details forthcoming from ASCCC and Chancellor’s Office
Memo: 22_SB1440_Memo_js.pdf
We included link to chancellor’s office memo from May & will have a copy in the presenter’s materials (or look it up yourself prior to presentation)
While SB 1440 says minimum GPA is 2, a student’s GPA may need to be significantly higher for impacted campuses and impacted programs.

15. What about Reciprocity & Substitution?
New ASCCC statement on Reciprocity, Course Substitution and Credit by Exam— in light of AA-T and AS-T degrees
Counselors can use C-ID for comparability. (Please encourage college to send in CORs to C-ID)
External Sources of Credit (AP, CLEP, IB)
Credit by Exam
Refer to the handout—ASCCC statement on reciprocity & substitution.
Speaker could read aloud the parts in bold on handout.

16. The new law says. . . Guaranteed admission to CSU system as a junior
“The California State University shall grant a student priority admission to his or her local California State University campus and to a program or major that is similar to his or her community college major or area of emphasis“
“similar” major determined by CSU faculty-
CSU cannot require students to repeat courses similar to those completed at CCC
AA-T and AS-T students admitted to CSU in a “similar” 120-unit BA/BS program are guaranteed to complete BA/BS in 60 semester units
On SB 1440 site, go to COUNSELING INFO, then the excel reports on CSU Similar Degrees by Campus and CSU Similar Degrees by Major.
Presenter should go to the link for “similar” to show the audience. (This is a hyperlink to the home page; scroll down to the bullet under Counseling that says CSU “similar” degrees). Remember the list gets revised regularly.

17. Advice to counselors
Offer workshops for students on the CSU transfer options
Update catalog, transfer brochure and GE guide, transfer web page, major sheets, etc.
Attend CSU Counselor Conference
Provide input as local AA-T/AS-Ts are developed
Check resources often:
At Train the Trainer workshops Aug 2012, we gave attendees a flashdrive with a PPT for student workshops. They can use one for transfer workshops, and another PPT can be used for orientations sessions or elsewhere.

18. How do I advise students?

19. Who are the AA-T/AS-T students?
This degree can work for anyone targeting a CSU
Alternate pathway to major prep as in ASSIST
Degree works especially well for students who…
Want to earn AA/AS and prepare to transfer
Are applying to a non-local CSU
Are applying to a CSU which has no articulation with your CCC
Are applying to a CSU with “similar” major
Are applying to impacted CSU (campus or major)
Now has benefit for UC too
May also be strong preparation for elsewhere
Please keep in mind that these are based on where we are right now. . . Things could evolve..
Note that a lot more details are in the rest of this presentation, e.g. about CSU & UC.

20. 60 + 60 = YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE 60 units 60 units
AA-T/AS-T Major Preparation
AI, Golden 4, Electives*
CSUGE or IGETC
CSU Major coursework(similar)
CSU General Education
(upper division)
Electives can include AI, foreign language requirements or other courses as recommended. Also---take the Golden 4
Some TMCs (and therefore your local TMC-aligned degrees) do not have much room for electives.
60 units
60 units
= YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE

21. The CSU Admission Process
California State University
Office of the Chancellor

22. The “Similar Degree Determination Process
CCC campuses build/modify a proposed degree which fits within the TMC template = AA-T/AS-T
CSU campuses review the TMC templates to determine whether the undergraduate preparation would allow a student to successfully complete the bachelor's degree within 60 additional units.
Campuses have been given strategies to get more majors and options into the “similar” category

23. CSU Minimum Admission Requirements
Met by the AA-T/AS-T which includes:
60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University.
And either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC-CSU) or the CSU GE-Breadth Requirements
Including Golden Four (A3‐‐critical thinking, A1‐‐communication, A2‐‐English composition, and B4‐‐quantitative reasoning w/a minimum grade of “C”)
GE Certification is not required
A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis
Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0

24. What’s the Guarantee? (the fine print)
A student who completes an Associate’s Degree for Transfer at a California Community College is guaranteed admission to the California State University
No guarantee to any particular campus or program.  
To qualify:
The student must be conferred an AA-T or AS-T degree
Apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline
Submit all requested transcripts and documents by published deadlines,
Meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the program to which they have applied,
And comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. 

25. What’s the Guarantee?
2. AA-T/AS-T graduates who are admitted to a CSU program that has been deemed similar to the Associate’s Degree for Transfer will be able to complete the Baccalaureate Degree in the similar option in the discipline within 60 semester or 90 quarter units
As long as the student successfully completes each required course without repeating them.
Or supplementing instruction with additional courses for minors or areas of emphasis. 
Continuous enrollment in the same academic major is required unless the student is on an approved leave of absence. 
To maintain the guarantee, continuous enrollment in the same academic major is required unless the student is on an approved leave of absence. 
After enrollment at a CSU campus begins, the guarantee is not transferable to another CSU campus. 

26. How are AA-T/AS-T degrees considered in admission?
CSU Campus Admissions Impaction Status
Similar Degree
Local Applicant
Non-Local Applicant
No Impaction
Priority Admission
Min. 2.0 GPA
(Ed. Code 66745)
Campus Impacted
Supplementary GPA Requirement
Additional .20 
GPA Point
Program Impacted
(Any CA Student)
 Additional .10  GPA Point
(20 seats or more)
Campus & Program Impacted

27. THE ADMISSION PROCESS

28. CSU Updates to Policies and Procedures
Counselor & Educator publication updates
Mandatory catalog updates
Coded Memorandum on SB implementation
Communication with outreach, articulation, admissions, registrars, advising, etc.

29. Admission Process
CSU Mentor: New SB1440 Section on Application

30. Application Verification Process
Student self-reported applicant responses to AA-T/AS-T questions from CSU Mentor
Applicant data disaggregated by CCC and CSU
Student data sent to CCCCO
SB1440 Implementation & Oversight Committee and CSSO group determine the verification timeline for each term
Timeline includes petition to graduate verification dates
Determines the CSU communication to applicants on process
Applicants provide evaluation documents to CSU

31. Spring 2013 Verification Timeline

32. Application Verification Process
“AA-T or AS-T” degree applicants who’s self reported information on CSU Mentor meet the basic eligible standards (i.e. CCC, degree) are sent communication from the CSUCO with instructions on the evaluation requirement

33. Application Verification Process
Instructions to access secure individual campus files provided to identified contacts at CSU and CCC
Students who petitioned for degree are expected to provide a copy of their evaluation/report to CSU campuses to which they had applied
Students required to provide final transcript showing awarding of AA-T/AS-T degree to CSU

34. Admissions Evaluation
All applicants still must follow campus instructions regarding documents and other requirements
Local campus process varied by impaction status:
Campuses continuing to admit all CSU eligible upper division transfers could continue with existing processes
Campuses which were impacted at the upper division transfer level or by major(s) reviewed groups of applications based upon potential impact of AA-T/AS-T consideration

35. Fall 2013 CSU Process Enhancements
Built-in validation of CCC and AA-T/AS-T major reported in CSU Mentor
Improved ability for redirecting verified AA-T/AS-T applicants who are not admitted to the impacted major or campus
Ongoing rethinking of verification process

36. The California State University

37. Case Scenarios
A student at your college wants to study Communication at CSULA. Questions:
Is the AA-T in this major offered at your college?
Is a similar major offered at CSULA?
Is the major/campus impacted?
Is your college in CSULA’s local admission area?
These are the kinds of questions you’ll review with a student.

38. What about UC? SB1440 does not pertain to UC, but. . .
UC has added two eligibility pathways for transfer admission:
(1) Completion of a UC Transfer Curriculum (in the major), and
(2) completion of an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (in the major) from a California Community College.

39. What about UC? What does this mean?
AA-T/AS-T guarantees a Comprehensive Review
Most AA-T/AS-T applicants will be well- prepared to compete
When choices are available, students will want to select the most rigorous options as outlined in the UC Transfer Preparation Paths (e.g., IGETC over CSU Breadth)

40. What about UC? What are UC Transfer Curricula?
UC faculty are discussing lower-division major prep in light of the TMC and existing commonalities across UC
Fall 2010: Math, Bio, Psych, Comp Science, & History
Spring 2011: Sociology and Physics
Additional disciplines expected in
A great deal of similarity already exists, but conversations continue on the campuses and at the system level

41. Thank you for participating!
Stay tuned…
More TMCs and local AA-T/AS-T degrees being developed
New information will be added to the websites
Thank you for participating!
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