Degree Pathways

Bachelor Degree to Associate Degree

A pathway to the associate degree for students who have already achieved a bachelor’s degree

Students who wish to pursue an associate degree at Cañada College who have already been awarded a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States may be exempt from Cañada College local associate degree general education requirements. This pathway does not apply to Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA/AS-Ts). Students must complete at least 12 semester units in residence within the San Mateo County Community College District. Students must complete 12 units or 50% of the units required for the major, whichever is fewer, at one or more of the San Mateo County Community College District colleges. All other local requirements may be waived if the completed bachelor’s degree includes coursework that fulfills the Title 5 minimum requirements for the associate degree as noted below.

Title 5 (55063) Associate Degree Requirements:

  1. Minimum of 60 units of lower division degree applicable coursework 
  2. Completion of Freshman Composition (ENGL 100 or ENGL 105 equivalent at Cañada College)
  3. Completion of Intermediate Algebra or higher-level math course (MATH 120 or higher equivalent at Cañada College)
  4. Completion of a transfer-level course in Ethnic Studies
  5. Satisfactory completion of at least 12 semester units in residence within the San Mateo County Community College District.
  6. Complete 12 units or 50% of the units required for the major, whichever is fewer, at one or more of the San Mateo County Community College District colleges.
  7. Completion of a minimum of 21 semester units of general education:
    1. 6 semester units in English Composition, Oral Communication, and Critical Thinking
    2. 3 semester units in Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
    3. 3 semester units in Arts and Humanities
    4. 3 semester units in Social and Behavioral Sciences
    5. 3 semester units in Natural Sciences
    6. 3 semester units in Ethnic Studies

Students with external coursework, coursework completed at colleges and universities outside the San Mateo County Community District (SMCCCD), should use Transcript Evaluation Service (TES) to determine how it will be applied for degrees and certificates. For more information, visit the Transcript Evaluation Service website.