FAQ - Crafton Hills College

“General Education Requirements” are the foundational courses you take at a college or university during your first and second year of pursuing higher education. These courses typically help ensure that you have a basic understanding of several subjects in school. These courses may also be transferable to the University you are wanting to complete your Bachelor's degree.  Regardless of major, general education requirements are determined by the college or university the transfer student has chosen. 

Helpful resources to find your GE Requirements and help you with the transfer process

Public Universities:  California State University and University of California

The University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) are both public institutions, meaning they are partially funded by the government and tend to be cheaper than privately funded universities. They are well-respected public university systems but have various differences. It's essential to understand that no public university system holds an inherent advantage over the other; the key is identifying which system aligns best with your educational and career goals. A significant distinction between the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems lies in their educational philosophies. 

Individuals with aspirations towards a future in academia, research, or theoretical knowledge development may find the UC institutions particularly suited to their needs. The UCs are considered a tier 1 research system and designed in a way that allows students to engage and connect with professors doing research in the fields they’re interested in.  The nine UC colleges are UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced.

The Cal State University system was established in 1857. It is the largest public four-year university system in the United States, with 23 campuses and eight off-campus centers. CSU schools are very popular thanks to their affordability and diverse programs that lead directly to a working career, for example: Nursing, Business, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and many more.  

Remember that the quality of education isn’t a matter of question—the approach to education is. The UC schools focus on research and theory, while Cal State Universities prepare students with a career-oriented education. Just to reiterate, both offer excellent Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees. California has some of the best colleges in the nation at all levels.

Helpful Links: 

Private/Independent Universities 

The government does not fund private colleges/universities. Instead, they rely on alumni contributors and your tuition to pay for their programs and services. Therefore, they tend to be more expensive than public institutions like the Cal State & UC.  Private colleges may be either “non-profit” or “for-profit”.  Private colleges tend to be smaller than public colleges, including class sizes.  They offer a wide range of institutional missions.  For example, there are private colleges that are faith-based, historically black colleges, tribal colleges, focused on liberal arts, or in career specific sectors.  

  • Non-profit private colleges are solely focused on providing a quality education for students and helping them to achieve academic and career goals. They answer to a financially disinterested board of trustees, not an owner and shareholders. 
  • For-profit private colleges exist as businesses at the mercy of shareholders. Their goal is to turn a profit first and foremost. Though they strive to provide a quality education, if a program isn’t making them money, they will cut it even if that's not in the best interests of their students.

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Out-of-State Universities

Out-of-State simply means you have decided to leave your state in California to another state for your education.  Out-of-State schools offer both public and private colleges and universities.  Students who choose to go out of state will usually pay higher tuition because you are not a resident of that state. Please consider the pros and cons below. 

Pros

  • You’ll be able to explore a new area and get outside your comfort zone.
  • You’ll meet more people from different backgrounds and be more incentivized to make new friends.
  • You’ll have more independence and get a feel for what it’s like to live on your own.
  • Tons of choices! If you’re open to attending college out of state, you’ll have a huge range of different types of schools to choose from and won’t be limited by what your state offers.

Cons

  • You'll pay a higher tuition price for an out-of-state college than you would for an in-state public university.
  • You’ll miss out on any savings you might get from living at home and commuting to an in-state school.
  • You’ll be further away from home, so you won’t be able to rely on your family for support as much or see your old friends as often.
  • You might feel isolated or lonely in an unfamiliar place.

 

Helpful Links

Don’t worry! There are several opportunities for students to attend the university of their choice with low to no cost for attendance. Whether you are transferring to a CSU, UC, or Private University, many programs and scholarships are available. First step is to apply for the FAFSA or DREAM Act.  Here are some resources to look at: 

No! Although some universities may prefer that you have completed an associate degree, it is not required to transfer. Most UC and CSU Universities have minimum admission requirements that do not include an associate degree completion.  Speak with one of our counselors to determine the right pathway for you or call 909-389-3366.

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Completing a Transfer Path

We have a fantastic tool for you to see the articulation agreements (courses equivalent to ones at the university) called ASSIST. It is intended to help students and counselors work together to establish an appropriate path toward transferring from a public California community college to a public California university. Click on “search below for transferable courses” to get a list of CHC transfer courses to UC & Cal State.

https://www.assist.org/ 

Transferring schools does not automatically increase the time it takes a student to graduate. Many students are still able to graduate in four years, but it depends on several factors. Students need to complete 30 units per year in order to transfer in two years as a Junior to the university.  Students who plan to change majors or are a STEM major might need more time.  It’s important to talk with a counselor to determine what short-term and long-term to decide what is best for you.