Editorial
Are the School's 3 Credit Courses Hurting Students?
By: Ashley Arseneau
Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: Opinion
Attending Community College is an affordable, convenient option for many students. It is a great start for people, especially those who are not sure what they want to do or where they want to go in life yet. But for those students who decide to transfer to four year schools, the three credit course system at the Mount can end up affecting students negatively depending on which college they transfer to..
Most four year colleges and universities are on a three credit course system. However, some colleges such as Keene State, Smith College, and in Framingham are on a four credit system. While three credit courses will still transfer over, students will still be missing credits unless that school makes adjustments. The Mount does offer four credit courses, but they are lab classes. But only a few of the courses needed for most degrees are lab classes.
A salvation for students is the ability to have the classes not required for their bachelor's degrees transfer over as filler credits if there is no exception at the 4 credit schools. But these other colleges may have limits of how many credits from a student's previous school they will accept. Such as schools that will only accept thirty or sixty credits.
According to the Mount's 2009-2010 catalog, most degrees offered require sixty four to sixty five credits. This means some of the credits a student has will not transfer over. People are wasting their time and money taking this class that will not count for anything.
Or colleges could all decide on one credit system to use. If a student can get the same education at two different schools why should they not be able to transfer their credits the same. This would save people a lot of frustration and worry over how their credits will transfer. This will eliminate the risk of having to take extra courses to obtain their bachelor's degree and spend more money on classes and stay in college longer.
Also, more of the courses required for associates degrees should be the ones needed for bachelor's degrees. If a student will not need that class at a four year university and it is not related to a future career option related to their degree, they should not be required to take that class. While having a well-rounded education can be beneficial, it should not be mandatory.
Most four year colleges and universities are on a three credit course system. However, some colleges such as Keene State, Smith College, and in Framingham are on a four credit system. While three credit courses will still transfer over, students will still be missing credits unless that school makes adjustments. The Mount does offer four credit courses, but they are lab classes. But only a few of the courses needed for most degrees are lab classes.
A salvation for students is the ability to have the classes not required for their bachelor's degrees transfer over as filler credits if there is no exception at the 4 credit schools. But these other colleges may have limits of how many credits from a student's previous school they will accept. Such as schools that will only accept thirty or sixty credits.
According to the Mount's 2009-2010 catalog, most degrees offered require sixty four to sixty five credits. This means some of the credits a student has will not transfer over. People are wasting their time and money taking this class that will not count for anything.
Or colleges could all decide on one credit system to use. If a student can get the same education at two different schools why should they not be able to transfer their credits the same. This would save people a lot of frustration and worry over how their credits will transfer. This will eliminate the risk of having to take extra courses to obtain their bachelor's degree and spend more money on classes and stay in college longer.
Also, more of the courses required for associates degrees should be the ones needed for bachelor's degrees. If a student will not need that class at a four year university and it is not related to a future career option related to their degree, they should not be required to take that class. While having a well-rounded education can be beneficial, it should not be mandatory.
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