Student Pathway Needs and FAQs

Guided Pathways

Frequently Asked Questions about Pathways

with sample answers

1. What classes should I take and when to earn my degree or certificate?

Every degree and certificate in a Pathway has a Program Map, a suggested sequence of courses necessary for the completion of a degree or certificate. It includes a recommendation of semester-to-semester courses, pre- and co-requisites, and the semester(s) the courses are offered. Scroll down the list of Degrees/Certificates to select a program and view general career information, employment outlook and the Program Map. Course boxes in the Program Map are color coded based on major content vs general requirements vs advisory notes; all boxes open to reveal more information, including every course that satisfies this area and important related information.

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND after viewing a Program Map, you meet with a Counselor to create a personalized Ed Plan that includes a conversation about their interests: careers, transfer institutions, etc.

2. Where should I start if I am interested in…?

For each Pathway, we have a list of great introductory courses that you can start taking right now! These intro courses are also degree and certificate applicable for most Pathways. Also provided is a list of Career Exploration and College Preparedness courses.

3. What should I do if I want to transfer to a CSU, UC, or a private school?

Transferring to a CSU: Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is a joint program between our California Community Colleges and the California State University (CSU) that makes it easier for students to transfer. Students who earn the ADT in Arts (AA-T) or Science (AS-T) are guaranteed admission to the CSU system and given admission advantage to impacted campuses. Check out our LPC in Arts (AA-T) and Science (AS-T)!
Transferring to a UC: The University of California (UC) offers Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to six of its nine campuses, and LPC students are admitted to even the most competitive, with UC Berkeley & Davis being among our top 5 transfer destinations. Your transfer plan will include a combination of General Education and Major Preparation (see assist.org). To ensure eligibility and competitiveness for UC transfer, plan with your Counselor or take a visit to our Transfer Center early in your academic journey.
Transferring to a Private College: Private/Independent and out-of-state colleges have varying requirements for transfer student admission. Most private and out-of state-schools require fewer units for transfer eligibility, so it is important that you plan ahead.

Meet with a Counselor! We STRONGLY RECOMMEND after viewing a Program Map, students meet with a Counselor to complete a comprehensive Ed Plan, where many personal factors will be taken into account.

4. How do I know what I have left to take to complete my degree/certificate or to transfer?

LPC's DegreeWorks View your Student Educational Plan, confirm completed courses and which courses remain to meet your educational goal.
Assist.org View which credits earned at one California college or university can be transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's colleges and universities, providing the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer.
Meet with a Counselor! Counselors are available to assist current and prospective students in identifying, clarifying, and reaching their educational and career goals.

5. What are the different types of degrees/certificates, such as AD-T, AA, AS, CA, etc?

AS-T = Associate in Science for Transfer Degree
AA-T = Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree
AA = Associate of Arts Degree
AS = Associate of Science Degree
CA = Certificate of Achievement

Las Positas College has partnered with the CSU system to develop Associate Degrees for Transfer (also known as Associate of Arts-Transfer (AA-T) or Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) degrees). These degrees were created to meet common lower-division requirements for general education and major preparation for most CSU campuses with a similar major. To meet some career goals, we offer certificates of various lengths, such as a Certificate of Achievement (CA). You should meet with a counselor to discuss whether one of these degrees or certificates is an appropriate pathway for your personal academic or career goal.

6. How do I change my major?

You can change your major by completing a “Request for Change of Major/Home Campus” form and submitting the completed document to Admissions & Records. You are strongly encouraged to meet with a Counselor to discuss any changes of major and complete an updated Ed Plan.

7. What careers do my degree or certificate lead to? What is our local salary or employment opportunities?

Every degree and certificate in your pathway is linked to careers and current EMSI Labor Data! Scroll down the list of Degrees/Certificates to view program-specific career information and an employment outlook in the selected program of study. Current and prospective students can explore career information via our free LPC Career Coach (pro-tip: we encourage you to create a free account to save your results and review this with a counselor). You should also create a free account on our LPC Internship and Job Board (Handshake) to view current postings and get notified when a job or internship in their area of interest becomes available. Lastly, we encourage you to visit our Career and Employment Center for additional support.

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you meet with a Counselor to review your Career Coach results and complete a comprehensive Ed Plan, which is customized to your personal needs.

8. How can I pay for college? What financial resources are available to me?

LPC Financial Aid Office offers federal and state financial assistance to eligible students, including completing a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. We offer scholarships, grants, federal work-study, and much more! Meet with a Financial Aid Officer today to get personalized assistance. Additional academic and holistic services for financially disadvantaged students, including first-generation, foster youth (EOPS/CARE) and single-parent (CalWORKs) students.

9. Do I need to complete my college transfer-level Math and English courses in my first year? If so, why?

If you are seeking to transfer to a 4-year university, you are highly encouraged to complete your college transfer-level Math and English in your first year. Research shows that students are more likely to transfer and more successful when they complete transfer-level Math and English in their first year. Here is more information on English transfer-level course and support options and Math transfer-level course options based on areas of interest, learning modes and support options.

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you meet with a Counselor to discuss which transfer-level math course is required for their major and to complete a comprehensive Ed Plan.

10. What basic need supports are there to help with food insecurity, housing needs, transportation etc.?

Basic need supports are available for LPC students through our campus and our community. We will soon be hiring a Basic Needs Outreach Specialist to provide proactive and personal support for our students! Examples of basic needs support includes: housing resources, food insecurity needs, and transportation resources. Visit our Student Resource Guide for a more complete list.

11. Is mental health support available at LPC?

The Student Health & Wellness Center is proud to offer mental health services free of charge to students. Workshops are open to all students while short-term mental health counseling is available upon request and contingent on the availability of personnel.

12. What should I be doing outside of class to be successful in completing my pathway?

Every Pathway website has a “Checklist for Success” designed to make the steps you need to complete for success in your pathway transparent. A printable version is available underneath.

13. What academic learning supports are available to support me?

LPC offers lots of free academic learning support including; Library, Tutorial, Reading & Writing and Math Learning Centers, Computer Center, SMART Shops, Disability Student Resource Center (DSPS/DRC), and much more! Visit our Student Resource Guide for a more complete list.