NEW DEGREE COMING SOON

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If you are pursuing an Associate of Arts for Oregon Transfer degree, or know someone who is, this article is for you:

Two months ago, the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at MHCC, Sara Rivara, proposed a new degree for students to pursue at the college, which would act as an alternative to the AAOT.

After much discussion and collaboration, Rivara, along with other faculty members and the Instructional Services office, decided that a new, Mt. Hood-specific degree would be the best, immediate solution to the issues students are facing when they transfer to a four-year university.

One specific challenge is that “the AAOT does not account for the [foreign] language requirement that almost all universities have for students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree,” according to Christy Weigel-McCaw, MHCC’s articulation and transfer coordinator.

Students also find that although the AAOT helps students meet most freshman and sophomore credit requirements, it does not guarantee that a student will be considered a junior when they transfer to a university.

These are a couple of the issues that a new Associate of Science in Liberal Arts degree would account for.

The degree was created by looking at the current requirements of many Oregon universities, as well as bachelor’s degree requirements, to design a degree better suited for transfer.

The new degree has been approved by MHCC administrators and the MHCC District board; it must still win approval by Mount Hood’s accreditation body.

Pending that final approval, the degree would be available beginning this Summer Term. Students currently pursuing an AAOT can change their plan to the new AS in Liberal Arts degree.

Weigel advises caution for students on a financial aid maximum time-frame appeal. Regardless, if you have any questions or are considering the change, consult with an academic adviser.

Advocate Staff