Because life is complex and unpredictable, some people simply cannot go down the conventional route to a bachelor’s degree in one shot. 

For these reasons and many more, we believe that community college is a compelling option for anyone who wants to continue or expand their education beyond high school without going broke, giving up gainful employment, or diving headfirst into higher education.

We are here to shine the spotlight on community colleges, for once. Community colleges seldom get the attention they deserve, even though they help millions of Americans achieve their educational and career goals. 

According to the Department of Education, there are more than 1,400 community colleges across the country. More than 1,000 are public institutions offering two-year degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, general studies, health professions, and many more. In 2019 alone, well over 800,000 associate degrees were awarded by community colleges. According to Community College Review, more and more high school graduates are choosing community colleges over four-year institutions. This trend will likely continue because of the state of the economy.

With all of that said, opting for community college is a sensible choice, and you will not be the odd-one-out among your peers for doing so. Here, we give you an overview of community college and what it has to offer.

Definition of a Community College

Let us clarify what makes a community college a community college.

Community colleges, also known as junior colleges in the United States, are two-year institutions of postsecondary education. They are primarily public degree-granting institutions that serve as a bridge between high school and traditional, four-year colleges. Many people, specifically those in the 18-24 age cohort, enroll in a junior college with the intention of transferring to a four-year college or university upon completing a two-year program.

However, let us disabuse you of the notion that community colleges are solely “pipelines” to four-year institutions. Many junior colleges offer GED programs and other forms of remedial education for those who have been out of school and in the workforce for some time. Some community colleges offer high school diplomas, technical degrees, and various other certifications that help polish your resume and boost your employment profile. For this reason, community colleges tend to draw a high percentage of nontraditional students, which include retirees, working adults, and older adults.

Community colleges pride themselves in their greater flexibility and ability to accommodate the needs of the average student. Most community college students are 18 to 24 years of age, who make up roughly 40% of the student body. According to one source, retirees and working adults make up a sizable percentage of students enrolled at community colleges. There is no pressure to follow the conventional and seemingly clear-cut path to education beyond high school. And it is never too late to start or expand your education!

The associate’s degree is the most common diploma offered by community colleges, although a small handful do offer four-year degrees. Many community colleges have open enrollment policies, meaning that, in most cases, you will be admitted as long you have a high school diploma or a GED and fulfill other basic requirements. A community college will not likely turn you away if you have less than stellar grades in high school!  

In sum, community colleges can serve as pathways to a four-year educational program. They are also a means for buffing up one’s resume and credentials without having to leave the workforce. Community colleges are an affordable and flexible choice for anyone who wants to expand their opportunities and horizons, without breaking the bank or throwing off your work-life balance.

Are Community Colleges Free?

Most community colleges are not free.

However, tuition and fees at a junior college are less likely to induce sticker-shock than say your typical four-year institution of higher education. But community colleges are not free, for the most part, just more affordable. 

However, there has been some ongoing discussion about making community college free nationwide. So far, this has not come to full fruition. That said, there are a handful of states that have made community college free in various ways.

These “tuition-free” programs that are available vary widely and many come with stipulations and specific eligibility requirements. For example, New York offers a tuition-free program, the Excelsior Scholarship, which is available to students from families making less than $125k a year. It is applicable to both two-year and four-year programs, provided that the school of choice is part of the CUNY or SUNY system. 

Another example is the Arkansas Future Grant, which is available to students enrolled in a STEM program and available on a first come, first serve basis to students who graduated from a public high school in Arkansas. You would not be eligible for this grant if your heart is set on a humanities degree.

Another program, the Hawaii Promise Scholarship, is only applicable to eligible Hawaii Community College students who have demonstrated financial need and have exhausted all other forms of financial aid. This is an example of a “last dollar” program. As we said, community colleges are generous in the financial aid they offer to prospective students, but the formula varies greatly.

Our advice is that you should research financial aid and scholarship options available to you in your state and at your local community colleges. You may want to ask your high school guidance counselor, your community college advisor, go to your local library, or community college bursar office to help steer you in the right direction. It is essential to read the fine print since many “free-tuition” programs have eligibility requirements and stipulations, as shown in the examples above.

Ranking of Community Colleges

Another question that may be swirling around in your mind is what makes a great community college and what are some of the best community colleges out there?

Some of the selection criteria for great community colleges are not entirely different from those for four-year colleges. Factors such as post-graduation outcomes, degree completion, and return on investment are just as important. One respect in which junior college is unique is its ability to allow students a path to a four-year degree. The quality of a community college can be evaluated in terms of how many of their graduates successfully transfer to a four-year degree granting institution. Flexibility in scheduling options may be a factor that is more relevant for gauging the quality of a community college versus that of a typical college.

Let’s take a look at some quality community colleges and what makes them stand out.

According to WalletHub, the State Technical College of Missouri, also known as State Tech for short, is the highest-ranking community college in the US based on a blend of career outcomes, educational outcomes, and cost-financing options. State Tech boasts a 99% job placement rate and a 73% graduation rate, and some of their graduates even out-earn their bachelor’s degree-holding counterparts. In 2018, it was recognized by Forbes as the nation’s “3^rd-best 2 year college.” 

Likewise, Santa Barbara City College was also listed among top 10 community colleges with stellar transfer and graduation rates. The junior college was praised for expanding its already broad number of options to include another 25 programs online. These fully online degrees and certificate programs include everything from medical coding to marketing. Additionally, the college is recognized for making social mobility possible for students from disadvantaged background.

Benefits of Community College

Two of the benefits of attending community college have already been mentioned: low cost and flexibility in terms of the enrollment-to-degree-completion timeline. Some of the additional benefits of junior colleges include smaller class sizes and individualized attention. If you are concerned cost and affordability, financial aid is as accessible for community college students as it is for students at more traditional, four-year institutions.

Part of the academic flexibility offered by community colleges is the work-life balance that is desired and needed by many working adults. If you are juggling work, family life, and studies, earning a degree at your pace is a viable option. You can take classes part-time or during the evening. According to the US News & World Report, more than 50% of community college students attend school part-time.

We have emphasized that most students enroll at community college intending to transfer to a four-year institution. Another advantage offered by many community colleges is transfer agreements with local and regional, four-year universities and colleges. For example, SUNY Broome Community College in upstate New York offers the Binghamton Advantage Program (BAP), which is a two-year, joint program between the community college and Binghamton University that allows students to live on the BU campus while completing coursework at the community college. After a year or two, students can transfer to Binghamton University full time.

Another benefit of attending community college is that these schools have a finger on the pulse of the latest economic and technological trends in the labor market, providing professional degree programs and certificates in STEM fields and other rapidly growing industries. An increasing number of community colleges partner with businesses and organizations to train and keep the workforce apace with the latest economic and technological trends.

Requirements for Community College

We have also mentioned at the beginning that many, if not all, community colleges have open admissions policies. We will explain what this means and how it ties into the general admissions requirements for community colleges.

Open admissions means that the minimum requirement for admission is a high school diploma or a GED. Besides this requirement, the admission into the school is non-competitive. Prospective students need to complete and submit and apply and prove a GED or high school diploma.

While community colleges generally have open admissions policies, there are programs within a school that may require extra steps or additional criteria for admission. The Nursing program at Tompkins Cortland Community College, for example, has a selective admissions process since there are more applicants than spots available. To be considered for admission, applicants need to submit personal statements and references, along with their GPA and grades in Science and Math courses. The process may also require an interview or entrance exam. The average GPA for enrolled students is 3.4, making admissions into the nursing program way more competitive than admission into the general community college.

Other requirements may apply. Contrary to popular belief, some community colleges may require SAT or ACT scores. Additional admission requirements include evidence of a VISA or green card for international students. 

In some cases, students transferring from a four-year college with a GPA of less than 2.0 may not find the admissions process as smooth since the 2.0 is below the minimum transfer GPA needed for being admitted into many community colleges. For a variety of reasons, a certain college may experience a surge in the number of applicants for a given year. In this case, the junior college may decide to tighten the admissions process because the finite number of spots means that not every applicant can be admitted.

***

For many students, attending community college is the logical next step in attaining an ideal education. With generally friendlier requirements than traditional universities, lower tuitions, and excellent job outcomes, community colleges may very well be the future of education.

The post What is a Community College? Are They Free? We Explain Here appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Getting into the program of your dreams is a huge sigh of relief. But there is getting into a college and then there is graduating from one! 

One component of earning that bachelor’s degree is knowing the degree requirements for your school and your major. Enter the college credit.

We are here to demystify it for you. Knowing what it is and how it works can help you better understand what makes a college degree. After all, knowledge is power! It is not enough to know which classes you need to take for that B.S. in Computer Science. You need to make room in your schedule for 12 general education credits. Being aware of the total number of credits you need to graduate, as well as how many of those total credits need to be gen eds, upper-level courses, free electives, etc., is a better recipe for success. To ensure that you graduate within the expected, four-year timeline, be sure you understand how college credits work and how many of them you need to rack up each semester.

We are here to help with that.

What is a College Credit?

What constitutes college credit, you may be asking? You earn credits upon successful completion of course work. That is, you need to earn a certain number of credits to graduate. Let us dig a little deeper.

The concept of the college credit seems hard to pin down. We suggest thinking of the college credit as “points” you earn towards completing your college degree. You earn “points” for the work that you do for each course. “Points” are earned by attending lectures, preparing for the class, studying, taking exams, writing papers, and anything that earns you a grade in that course.

College credit, in essence, represents how much effort you put into a class over the course of a semester. You are “compensated” for the time spent in class, studying, and completing work for a course. The typical undergraduate semester consists of 15 weeks. The usual formula is that, for every hour of course work done in class, you put in two hours of work outside the classroom, per week. The average single-semester course is worth 3 credits, though the are colleges where the number of credits that you can earn from one course is 4.

Your progress towards a degree is measured by the number of credits you earn at the end of each semester and year. Most schools require that you register for at least 15 credits worth of classes every semester. Constantly falling short of these 15 credits could delay your degree completion. So, if you are keen on graduating within the standard four years, you better make sure that you sign up for the minimum number of credits required by your school.

It is possible to earn college credit before you even begin looking at colleges. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for freshmen to come in with a handful of college credits. These college credits are typically earned through Advanced Placement or IB programs offered in high schools.

The AP program offers college-level courses in a variety of subjects. The college credit is accrued by earning a minimum score of 3 on the AP exam, though some colleges accept 4 or higher. Credit earned from AP courses can substitute for certain pre-requisite or introductory-level classes. Scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam may allow you “test out” of an introductory biology course or one of the science gen eds. Schools apply AP credits differently, so it is best to consult an academic advisor or admissions counselor on how your AP credit can be used.

Taking college classes, while in high school, is also another route to getting college credit.

What Are “Credit Hours?”

The credit hour may seem as elusive as the college credit. It is another building block of your college education, yet its function may not be entirely clear. The simplest definition is that a credit hour is equivalent to 50-minutes to one hour of in-class instruction, plus two hours of additional work outside of class for every in-class session. At least, this is the standard formula implemented by most colleges and universities in the US.

In-class instruction consists of time spent in a lecture or engaging with your class instructor and any activities or assignments completed during class time. Lab work, fieldwork, and internships are separate components and do not count towards classroom instruction time. Independent studies also have different numbers of credit hours assigned to them.

To get a concrete picture of what a credit hour looks like, an actual example is helpful. For example, the American International College uses the industry-standard in calculating credit hours: 3 credits awarded for 9 hours of work per week for a standard 15-week course. At most colleges and universities, the majority of undergraduate courses are 6-9 hours each of work per week. Again, this is just the standard, and the number of credit hours your need for each semester may be different, depending on the schools you are looking at.

There may another question that pops up in your mind: why do credit hours matter? While you may be able to get by with just counting your college credits, credit hours often matter when it comes to financial aid. If you are awarded financial aid or certain scholarships, you may be expected to register for a certain number of credit hours for a semester. Dropping below the minimum number of credit hours may jeopardize your eligibility for continuing to receive financial aid or a scholarship.

The Number of Credits Required to Graduate College

The number of credits required to graduate college ultimately depends on your program. It is essential to understand how your degree is structured. Typically, you will need to earn 120-130 credits for a bachelor’s degree. These 120-130 credits may include some combination of core or general education requirements, upper-level credits, minimum credits needed for your major, and free electives.

Simply put, it is not enough to accumulate the required number of credits to graduate. Most institutions dictate that you must earn different kinds of credits to satisfy graduation requirements; you cannot treat the course catalogue like a buffet and sign up for classes willy-nilly. The path to earning a bachelor’s degree, in most cases, is a structured one. This is best explained through example:

The College of Arts and Sciences of Syracuse University requires that 96 of the 120 credits needed for graduation must be Arts and Sciences credits. That is, you rack up those 96 credits from registering and completing courses from within the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Do not fret if your credits earned within your major and the general education requirements do not add up to the 96 you need; you can take elective courses to help you reach that total. 

The main takeaway here is that you need to keep yourself informed on the school’s requirements for graduation, specifically the number of credits required and what kinds of courses you need to take to earn them. To stay on top of your credits, we recommend that you regularly meet with a general academic advisor or the advisor assigned to you by your department. They can help you with degree planning and navigating your school’s specific requirements, helping you stay on track for graduation. 

Do College Credits Expire? A Clear Explanation

A relevant question for someone who has been out of school for a while is, “Do College Credits Expire?” The most straightforward answer is no. 

But we would like to qualify this answer. 

First, not all schools or degree programs impose the same limitations on college credit. In some cases, they never expire. In others, there may be a 5-year-limit. Second, the expiration of college credits will most likely affect your ability to transfer college credits from one institution to another.

College credits themselves do not expire, but curricula, courses, and requirements do change over time to reflect the evolving interests of the student body and the needs of the economy. The most likely candidates for these curricular and changes are STEM courses, which makes sense when you think about it. Technology and scientific research change at a dizzying pace, as it is. The methods and tools that were used ten years ago are now obsolete; the latest generation of scientists, engineers, and techies are trained to use the latest methods and state-of-the-art technologies.  

STEM curricula and requirements need to reflect this change. According to one source, the average lifespan of a STEM college credit is 10 years. Anything beyond them may be ineligible for transfer. If you racked up those credits a while ago, you might want to contact the school to which you are transferring to get a definite answer.

College credits earned from general education or core requirement courses seldom expire. Those 3 credits from your Intro to Philosophy course can count towards fulfilling the Humanities requirement for another school, or the same school if you are resuming your education with the same institution. College credits generally do not expire. But it is a good idea to check with the institution to be sure.  

Full-Time Vs. Part-Time: How Many Credits to Take

Full-time or part-time? That is the question. 

The main difference between enrolling full-time and part-time is the number of credits that you take per semester. New York, for example, defines part-time study as being registered for fewer than 12 credits for a typical 15-week semester. Full-time status is defined by being registered for a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree typically requires 120 credits or more. It could take you anywhere between 4 to 7 years to complete the requirements for your bachelor’s degree if you go down the part-time route. While the degree completion timeline might be a salient factor in deciding whether to pursue part-time studies, there are other factors to consider. Some departments may not permit students to take their courses on a part-time basis.

Another factor worth considering is how your financial aid package might be affected. Generally, maximum award amounts are less for part-time students than they are for students registered full-time. The other possible downside, which may not be true for all institutions, is that services, programs, and resources are primarily drawn up with traditional, full-time students in mind. You may feel somewhat bereft of institutional support while trying to finish up your studies part-time. Thankfully, this is beginning to change as more and more people are returning to college part-time.

Full-time is ideal for anyone who can primarily focus on their studies and have the means to do it.

The post What is a College Credit? Do College Credits Expire? We Explain Here appeared first on collegegazette.com.

This question can build anxiety in late high school and early college students more than any other. Choosing a major can seem like a task more daunting than even choosing a college and even a spouse. For many students, a major seems like a long-term commitment, one that will determine the course of not only their college years, but even their future career and family lives. 

While your major can certainly influence all those other parts of life, it need not be so scary or limiting. Not only can college students change their major (and many do!), but the process of determining a major can be an exciting journey of self-discovery and personal affirmation.

Because majors matter most in your last years of college, the process of choosing a major, and even your first classes in that course of study, can be an exercise in constructive dreaming. As you think about what you want to study in college, you’ll start deciding what you want to get from your college experience. You’ll set your goals and expectations for the next few years of your life. You’ll even begin to see yourself as an adult in your career. 

In other words, declaring a major is your chance to tell the world who you want to be. Even if you end up changing your major or entering a different career, the major you initially choose will always be a statement of purpose regarding your values and goals. 

Definition of a College Major

Before we go too much further, we need to clarify the definition of a college major.

Simply put, a college major is the subject that a student will study most while earning their degree. Although every student will take classes outside of their major, anywhere between a third and a half of the classes will involve their major subject. 

Majors matter because colleges put priority on specialization. A liberal arts college will strive to create well-rounded students who know everything from mathematics to literature to science. But they also want to make experts. To become an expert, you need to look at a subject from multiple perspectives, which requires several courses in a given subject. 

While a major will determine your course of study in college, many students do change their majors or go undeclared during the first year or two. In fact, some scholars have found as many as 20 to 50% of freshmen enter university without deciding upon a major.

By entering college undeclared, you spend your first years completing pre-requisites (the basic courses every student has to take, regardless of their course of study) and getting a taste of several subjects. Once you find a topic that excites your passion or a teacher who inspires you, then you can declare that subject as your major. 

Many students also change their majors after taking a few courses and realizing that it’s not for them. According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 30% of students change their major at least once during their college career, with 10% changing two times or more. 

That said, the U.S. News & World Report has found that declaring a major early offers advantages, such as the ability to take specialization classes with limited enrollment and a stronger college resume. 

How to Choose Your College Major

Some might think that choosing a college major is as simple as answering that classic kindergarten question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” To be sure, you should absolutely consider your passions and dreams when deciding upon a major. If you hate the subject you’re studying then it doesn’t matter what other advantages it offers. 

But it would be naïve to assume that passion is all you’ll need for a successful college career. Here are some other things to consider when deciding upon your major: 

School Emphasis

You may have your heart set on going to a specific university or college but find that it does not have a strong program in (or even offer) the major you want. Look at rankings such as those from U.S. News and Washington Monthly to determine what you can learn from your chosen school. 

Available Jobs & Careers

While it’s pretty clear that someone majoring in Education will become a teacher, those majoring in English, philosophy, or even chemistry do not have such clear career paths. Using sources such as Talent Desk’s Career Finder, look at what kinds of majors are valued by those in your desired field. 

Consider the Course Requirements

While a degree in your major will indeed carry a lot of weight, many fields also have additional requirements beyond a major. Those who want to be teachers must also earn a license. Computer science students often must get certifications in different types of software. If you don’t want to spend more time studying beyond your college years, be sure to choose a major that requires only a degree. 

Economic Value 

I know it sounds drab, but the fact of the matter is that you’ll want to make money in your future career. Even if that isn’t your driving motivator, you should still know how much you’ll earn in the field you’re preparing to enter. 

College Majors That Make the Most Money

Some people list passion and personal satisfaction as the most important factors when deciding upon their major and future career. But others want their hard work and knowledge to pay off in financial terms. Those who wish to be financially successful after college would do well to consider studying these lucrative fields. 

Computer Science

Unsurprisingly, a computer science major leads to some of the most lucrative careers. After all, we use computers every day; you’re probably using at least one computer right now. Those who major in computer science can work in programming, software design, network administration, and so much more, jobs that earn up to $100,000 and even $120,000 a year. 

 Petroleum Engineering

While other fuel sources are available, the world still largely runs on gas, which makes petroleum engineering one of the most important and necessary degrees. CNBC.com reports that workers who major in petroleum engineering begin with an average salary of $94,500 a year and can earn up to $176,900 yearly. 

Math 

A math major prepares students for a wide range of practical careers. With this type of degree in hand, students can become statisticians or actuaries, fields that earn average starting salaries of $60,153. Math majors also transition well to business roles. 

Science 

As with math, majoring in science can lead to many needed and financially satisfying jobs. Science majors can specialize in biochemistry, environmental science, forensics, and more. According to job site The Balance, these jobs have median salaries of $53,000 to $98,000. 

Social Sciences

While it might come as a surprise to some, the social sciences fill just as many needs as the hard sciences, and therefore fetch a desirable salary. With a social science degree, students can become anything from a sociologist to an economist to a political scientist, jobs that earn on average $40,700 to $99,000 annually. 

What is the Difference Between a College a Major and a Minor?

In addition to a major, many students choose a minor as well. Like a major, a minor identifies a subject on which the student will focus throughout their college career. But as its name suggests, the minor is less intensive than a major. 

A minor allows students to further develop their skills and understanding. It provides depth to one’s education, showing a student to be a more well-rounded person. Many employers appreciate workers with a minor, as most jobs require knowledge outside of a specific field. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, students considering a minor should “find ways that their minor can connect to and reinforce their major.”

That reinforcement could include filling in a gap common to your major. So if you’re majoring in English, you might consider a math or science minor to demonstrate your understanding of practical logic. 

Reinforcement might also include studying in a field adjacent to their major. For example, those studying history may also minor in economics to understand the relationship between financial forces and world events. 

Finally, many students choose a foreign language as their minor, especially if it helps them understand important parts of their field. A philosophy major would do well to minor in Greek, French, or German, so they can read the works of important thinkers. 

Petersons.com puts it best when they advise readers to choose a minor that “will be beneficial to you in some way personally or professionally.”

List of Popular College Majors

Now that we have a full understanding of what a college major is and why it’s important, it’s time to start looking at possible majors for you. One of the best ways to choose a major is to look at what others have chosen. After all, these majors are the most popular for a reason. 

Business

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 400,000 business degrees were awarded in 2017-2018. And we can see why. As much as the times change, people still need to buy things or hire services, and anyone with a business degree can meet such needs.

Nursing

Once a lower-ranked degree, nursing and other health degrees have become increasingly popular over the years. Niche.com reports that 141,632 people earned Nursing degrees in the last year. That number is sure to go up as the world faces new health crises. 

Psychology

Surprisingly, Psychology remains not only the most popular social science degree but one of the fastest-growing fields in the world. With more people taking self-care seriously, there’s undoubtedly sufficient demand to justify the increase in students. 

Computer Science

As mentioned earlier, nearly every part of modern life involves computers. But the more we use our phones, tablets, and PCs, the less we understand them. It’s a good thing that thousands of students are studying Computer Science every year.

Communications

In addition to being one of the most popular majors, Communications is also among the most versatile. As the National Communications Association contends, graduates in Communications “demonstrate strong verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills and have considerable expertise in speaking well in front of small and large audiences.” Students with those abilities are well-suited to nearly every job. 

Whatever major you choose, remember: it’s your decision. Think about who you are and what you want to be, and the perfect major is sure to follow. 

The post What Is a College Major? Definition, List, How to Choose a Major, and More appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Many bachelor’s degrees are named after their specific specialization, such as “Bachelor’s of Music,” “Bachelor’s of Mathematics,” and “Bachelor’s of Science.” As you can infer, the name of each degree briefly summarizes what the degree itself is.

One notable degree is the BFA, which stands for a “Bachelors of Fine Arts.” As you can guess from the name, BFA degrees are awarded in more creative fields related to art, music, literature, and more. We will discuss later in this article which exact majors typically confer BFA degrees.

Often confused with the BFA is the BA degree. Whereas the BFA is a “Bachelors in Fine Arts,” the BA is a “Bachelor of Arts” degree. Both the BA and the BFA are prevalent in degree-granting institutions, yet the scope of each degree is significantly different.

Today, we will discuss the BFA degree in-depth, the typical college majors associated with the BFA, and help you decide if the BFA or the BA is best for you.

Without further ado, let’s dive into both BFA and a BA degrees.

What is a BFA Degree?

BFA, or “Bachelor’s in Fine Arts,” degrees are conferred in creative programs such as dance, musical theatre, visual arts, drama, and more. BFA degrees are awarded for students who want most of their undergraduate experience to be in the fine arts.

Students graduating from performing arts or creative majors need a higher ratio of “creative” credits compared to liberal arts credits on their transcripts to graduate.

Every school’s breakdown of liberal arts credits – e.g. math, history, science, etc. – to creative credits is different for a BFA. However, a good rule of thumb for a BFA program is 75% creative credits to 25% academic liberal arts credits.

Most four-year colleges require 120 total credits, or about 30 credits a year for a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Throughout a four-year degree, a student needs to take approimately 90 creative credits and 30 liberal arts credits to graduate with a BFA.

This translates roughly to 1-2 traditional academic classes a semester, with the rest being more directly related to the creative major.

The Differences Between a BFA vs. a BA Degree

BA, or “Bachelors of Arts,” Degrees are distinct from BFAs in that they require more liberal arts coursework, such as English, math, and science, to graduate.

BA degrees may be awarded for completing the curriculum of a more traditional major, such as communications, education, comparative literature, and English. However, BA degrees can also exist in creative fields such as music, dance, and drama. As mentioned, the big difference from the BFA is that more liberal arts credits are needed to complete the BA.

The typical breakdown of a BA degree is 50% liberal arts credits and 50% creative credits. This can also vary widely, with some schools offering only ⅓ creative credits and ⅔ traditional liberal arts credits in the BA programs.

List of Majors Awarding a BFA Degree

An extensive list of majors, typically associated with the creative and performing arts, award BFA degrees. Here are some of the most popular majors ultimately conferring a BFA degree.

Musical Theatre BFA: The musical theatre BFA trains students to become a “triple-threat” in singing, acting, and dancing. To succeed on Broadway, the West End, and in theatres worldwide, students need training in these three disciplines to make themselves as competitive as possible for a professional job.

Drama/Acting BFA: BFAs are the typically preferred degree for students graduating from college as acting majors. Students take classes in various acting techniques, including the Meisner Technique, Classical Acting Technique, and the Method Acting Technique. Students’ goal for pursuing a Drama or Acting BFA is to find work as an actor whether in television, film, or stage.

Visual Arts BFA: Almost every art school awards BFA degrees to its students. Examples of popular BFA degrees in the visual arts include Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and Printmaking. Some go to art school intending to become an independent artist, such as a painter or sculptor. Others intend to be hired for their art skills as graphic designers, architects, product designers, and more. 

Dance BFA: The BFA in Dance is awarded to students who study classical and modern dance styles at colleges and conservatories. Classes in a Dance BFA emphasize movement, technique, choreography, history, and individual creativity. Students who graduate with a BFA in Dance typically find themselves performing in professional dance companies, starting their own dance companies, or teaching at colleges and conservatories alike.

Creative Writing BFA: Creative writers, or people who write poems, short stories, and novels, are typically awarded BFA degrees. A student who attends school for creative writing learns not only the basics of writing, such as sentence structure, syntax, and grammar, but also the world’s greatest classical and contemporary authors.

Other BFA majors include animation, metalworking, ceramics, television production, stage management, and more.

Which One Is Better, the BA or the BFA?

Although this question is subjective, some indications ultimately can point you towards either a BA or a BFA degree.

The BA degree is best for students who want a more well-rounded, traditional academic curriculum infused with a creative passion in college. This is an excellent option for students who wish to have a BA in their preferred creative field, but want to have backup career options and a broader collegiate experience.

Additionally, the BA degree is also the best choice for a student who wishes to pursue a dual major in the arts and an outside field of study. This is because many academic credits that would count towards one major in a BA, such as English, would also count towards a second major, such as Mathematics. 

On the other hand, a BFA is ideal for someone who knows exactly what they are passionate about and is ready to pursue their dream. This explains why most BFA programs are comprised mostly of classes in creative disciplines, and why the ratio strongly favors creative classes to liberal arts classes.

To summarize:

Choose a BA if you are interested in a well-rounded education or a double major.

Choose a BFA if you want to go all-in on a field of study you are incredibly passionate about.

Examples of Famous and Prestigious BFA Degree Programs

There are countless examples of BFA degree programs. The following are some examples of the most famous and prestigious programs conferring BFA degrees.

The University of Michigan awards numerous BFA degrees. They include majors in musical theatre, drama, art & design, and dance. Michigan also awards some unusually creative BFA degrees, such as the BFA in Interarts Performance, a degree for students interested in the interdisciplinary cross-section of visual arts and original performance pieces.

Many independent art schools, such as RISD, short for the Rhode Island School of Design, award BFA degrees. At RISD, some examples of BFA-awarded degrees include glassmaking, apparel design, industrial design, photography, film, and more.

Another independent arts school, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, awards a wide-range of BFAs. At U Arts, students can pursue a BFA in Creative Writing, Game Arts, Illustration, Screenwriting, and even Wood/Furniture design.

List of Jobs You Can Get With a BFA Degree

One common misconception about a BFA degree is that it is impossible to find jobs and paying careers with a BFA degree. 

While there may be some truth in that more job openings are available for more traditional majors like engineering and medicine, there are many jobs you can get with a BFA degree.

Here are some typical jobs students with BFA degrees get.

Actor: Students can find themselves employed in Broadway shows, acting companies, and performing arts organizations that regularly attract live audiences. Additionally, with the expansion of new content programming on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, there has never been a greater need for actors than right now.

Copywriter & Content Writer: While you may not be hired to write original novels right after graduation with a creative writing BFA degree, one job requiring finely honed technical skills is copywriting. Copywriting is essentially writing sales copy for corporate and non-profit websites, brochures, and sales pages. There is a significant need for content writers, as hundreds of thousands of websites publish new articles daily.

Journalist: In a world where more and more media companies are hiring talent, journalists and communications specialists are necessary. Many journalism programs are BFAs and can help students prepare for a career writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

Designer: Every logo, billboard, product, piece of furniture, and piece of clothing was designed by somebody, and major companies don’t want to hire just anybody to do their design work. A BFA in Art can lead to a lucrative career in design; in fact, many designers eventually open up their own firms to attract high-paying clients. Typically, professionals in this field will need to have an outstanding knowledge of photoshop, illustrator, and art history.

Musician & Composer: In addition to creating original music, companies are in constant need of composers for film, television, and games. Instrumentalists can additionally get work in studios, orchestras, and professorships in major universities.

The post What is a BFA Degree? Understanding the BFA Vs. BA appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Getting a great education that will send you into the workforce has never been more financially challenging.

Thankfully, there have been organizations popping up all around the country with one mission in mind: strengthen the workforce of their state tomorrow by paying for student’s educations today.

Today, we highlight 10 amazing “college promise” programs throughout the United States. A college promise program is exactly as it sounds – an incentive promising college financial aid to a qualified student.

The promises we outline here vary in the amount of financial award provided. Some cover the entire cost of college, while others guarantee hefty partial scholarships for students residing in the county the scholarship is endowed.

We are seeing more and more college promise programs appearing throughout the country, shining a bright light for the future of students looking to attend prestigious public and private universities.

Here are 10 of the most outstanding college promise programs currently available in the US.

Buchanan Promise (Buchanan, MI)

Based in Buchanan, Michigan, “The Buchanan Promise” supports children in their local community through scholarships for higher education.

Started in 2016, 100 Buchanan High School students each year will be awarded a scholarship of up to $10,000 for use at any post-secondary accredited institution.

This scholarship was made possible by a $7,000,000 donation from a local resident who was a lifetime resident of Buchanan and a graduate of the high school.

The scholarship has already made a significant impact on the local community, offering opportunities to local students that might not otherwise be available.

Here’s what the Buchanan community had to say:

• “At first I was in shock because I was like this is an amazing opportunity being given to us.” – Dylan Catalano, Scholarship Recipient.

• “I think kids are more motivated, they realize that they do have opportunities that they didn’t think they would have before.” – Cindy Hess, Buchanan High School Faculty.

• “I was excited to hear that a company based in Buchanan was still giving back to the community after so long. What a wonderful way to give back: giving back to children in the community.” – Tara Maby, Buchanan High School Parent.

The scholarship is not merit-based and is available to any resident of the Buchanan High School district who are heading to a post-secondary institution.

For more information about eligibility and award distribution, visit https://buchananpromise.com/

El Dorado Promise (El Dorado, AR)

Started in 2007 with a $50m donation by the Murphy Oil Corporation, the El Dorado Promise has been awarded to over 2,000 students who have gone on to attend hundreds of different colleges and universities across the United States.

The Murphy Oil Corporation was looking for a way to make a positive impact on their local community, realizing they could create a lasting impression by supporting the higher education goals of their local community in El Dorado, Arkansas.

Here’s some of the feedback they received:

• President George Bush was the guest speaker for the fourth annual Promise Academic Signing ceremony on April 22, 2010. “I am impressed by Murphy Oil Corporation and Madison Murphy,” Bush said, telling students, “They set aside money for people they don’t know so they can go to college. That’s impressive.” (El Dorado News)

• President Bill Clinton was the guest speaker for the sixth annual event on April 17, 2012 and addressed more than 300 EHS graduates in the new high school gymnasium. Clinton praised Murphy Oil Corp. for their gift to EHS graduates, explaining 90% of the (EHS) students eligible for this scholarship go on to college, which was nearly 30% greater than the national average at the time. (El Dorado News)

• “It is exciting what is happening in El Dorado. The foundation of all this success is the El Dorado Promise. The Promise attracts families, businesses and by creating El Dorado High School graduates (with scholarships to pay for higher education), it has created a cycle of success in El Dorado. I like seeing all the smiles and optimism.” – Governor Mike Hutchinson (El Dorado News)

• “I have seen what the Promise has done for this community. This is an opportunity for you to get your major league job and I challenge you to take this opportunity.” – Dr Tom Kimbrell, Arkansas Commissioner of Education (El Dorado News)

The scholarship is not merit-based and is available to any resident of the El Dorado High School District who are heading to an accredited two-year or four-year educational institution in the United States.

For more information about eligibility and award distribution, visit http://www.eldoradopromise.com/

The post These 10 Tuition-Free “College Promise” Programs Are Changing Our Country’s Future appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Many students and families wonder how to even begin the search for the right school for them.

This makes a lot of sense.

After all, choosing the right school can have a dramatic effect on your future.

Schools lay the foundation for a career doing what you want to do, provide you with the education necessary to succeed in the workforce, and even serve as a platform for valuable connections into the real world.

Even a future salary can be largely dependent on where you end up going to college & what you decide to major in.

So, how can you find the best school for your future?

Here are 10 amazing tips for finding the best school for you.

10. Liberal Arts College or University

For the majority of students, the liberal arts college and the university represent the two most significant options for choosing a college.

What are the differences between these two types of schools?

The university is widely considered the “classic college experience.”

Think football, athletics, Greek Life, tons of majors on campus, extremely large libraries, multiple schools under a parent university, and very importantly, a large number of students.

Most universities have at least 10,000+ total students. Almost every major research university has a substantially large graduate student population as well.

There can be quite a lot going on at a major university.

On the flip side, the liberal arts college is very different.

The liberal arts college is small, has less than 5,000 students, and does not place the same emphasis on sports and Greek Life.

There are still many majors at the liberal arts college, but it is a certainly smaller and more intimate environment.

Think about which one would make the most sense for you.

9. Match Your Grades to a School’s Average Incoming Class

This can be important, though our opinion is that too many guidance counselors overemphasize the grades when choosing the right fit schools.

That said, many schools have different standards for admission when it comes to entering students.

Comparing your own transcript to that of the average incoming students at a school can help determine which schools match you.

For example, only a 3.9+ may be acceptable at Williams College, a great liberal arts option.

That said, even if you don’t have the 3.9, there are literally thousands of other amazing options that can give you an amazing liberal arts college experience.

Assessing grades and how they match to a school is an important and necessary step of the process.

The post How to Choose the Best School For Your Future – 10 Tips appeared first on collegegazette.com.