Career Preparation Alternatives

Associate Degree

The associate degree is offered to a student completing a two-year program of study. Metro offers Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Science degrees and Associate in Applied Science degrees. Most associate degree programs at Metro are two years in length; however, Metro offers short-term learning options such as specialist diplomas and credit/non-credit certificates.

Specialist Diplomas

Specialist Diploma programs at Metropolitan Community College are designed for those seeking job-specific skills. Specialist Diploma modules are a structured sequence of courses that may be completed in one to three terms depending on course prerequisites or other factors.

Certificates of Achievement

Certificates similarly enable you to get specific training in a shorter time period than an associate degree. The difference between Certificate programs and Specialist Diplomas is that Certificate programs include 13.5 credit hours of "general education requirements" such as English, math and social sciences. Program lengths depend on the subject matter.

Get more information about the general requirements for Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates or information about courses at the General Course Options page.

Where to find Information about Short-term learning options

If you are interested in a specific career field, you can find information about Certificate and Occupational Specialist Diploma programs listed at the end of each subsection under the heading, "Additional Career Preparation Alternatives" (if one is offered).

If you would rather search all the specialist diplomas and credit certificates on one page go to Short-Term Learning Options.

Invest in your education and bank the benefits!

No matter the program length, education at Metropolitan Community College is a great investment. Tuition is affordable and former and current students will earn more throughout their lifetime. Here's what a recent study found:

• A Metro student recovers all costs of education (including wages forgone while attending college)
  in five years.
• More education translates into higher earnings. Students obtaining a one-year certificate earn 81 percent more than someone without a high school diploma and 16 percent more than a high school graduate.
• Those who have gained an associate degree earn
  112 percent more than someone without a high
  school diploma and 35 percent more than a high school graduate.
• Over a lifetime, an associate degree graduate will earn $286,810 more than the