Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the University Center
Yes!
The Lower Columbia Regional University Center is located on the LCC campus, but it is a regional center and open to anyone in the community who wishes to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree.
Yes!
Our advisors will review your transcripts and come up with a plan for how you can earn your degree.
If you need to take lower level or pre-requisite classes, you can take these courses at LCC!
Yes!
A majority of our courses are held in the evening, on the weekend, or online. Some programs are specifically designed for adult learners in order to accommodate family and job obligations.
Advisors from our University Center partners will work closely with you to determine the best program and course of study to pursue, taking into consideration your time and responsibilities.
If you need to take lower level or pre-requisite classes, you can take these courses at LCC! Advantages include community college tuition rates which are typically lower than 4-year colleges, as well as being able to transition into upper level coursework,on the same campus.
This depends on the specific courses that make up your 90 credits.
90 credits of elective coursework is not the same as 90 credits of pre-requisite coursework in a specific program. Four-year universities typically require specific courses to be completed before you transfer, in order to make sure you are ready to specialize in your final year.
Advisors from our University Center partners will work closely with you to determine the best program and course of study to pursue, taking into consideration your time and responsibilities.
If you need to take lower level or pre-requisite classes, you can take these courses at LCC! Advantages include community college tuition rates which are typically lower than 4-year colleges, as well as being able to transition into upper level coursework on the same campus.
As soon as possible!
The earlier you meet with an advisor to plan your program, the more prepared you will be.
Our advisors will help you come up with a plan for how you can earn your degree.
There are many options available to help you pay for college.
The first step is to complete the FAFSA. Instructions for how (and why) to do that are featured (along with a link to the FAFSA) on LCC's Financial Aid page.
The Lower Columbia College Foundation awards yearly scholarships to LCC students. Awards vary from $500 to $5,000. Learn more about LCC scholarships
Additional scholarship opportunities are listed on the LCC website. Be sure to check with the partner university you plan to attend for any funding/scholarship opportunities you may be eligible for.
DTA stands for 'Direct Transfer Agreement' (DTA).
The AA-DTA is widely accepted as the first two years towards a bachelor's degree by public institutions in Washington, some in Oregon, and by most private institutions in Washington.
For more information about DTA degrees available at Lower Columbia College see:
Current Academic Catalog - select the 'Degrees & Certificates' link.
An associate degree is two-year academic degree (typically 90 credits) awarded by a college or university upon completion of a course of study lasting two years.
A bachelor's degree is a four-year academic degree (typically 120 semester credits or around 40 college courses) awarded by a college or university upon completion of a course of study lasting four years (on average). Bachelor's degrees are also sometimes called 'baccalaureate degrees'.
Many students choose to complete an associate degree at a community college, then transfer to a four-year college or university to complete their bachelor's degree. Doing so allows them to take lower-level courses required during the first two years at lower cost, because tuition at a community college is generally less expensive. Upon transferring they complete the required upper level coursework in their chosen field.
The earning potential for graduates with bachelor's degrees, versus associate degrees, is typically higher, depending on the specific field.
For more information please see Why Earn a Bachelor's Degree?