Make Educational Choices to Support Your Goals

Why Are You Attending Moorpark College?

Students attend Moorpark College for many different reasons and with a wide range of interests and goals. Whether you are preparing for a skilled trade, specialized career, job advancement, or transfer to a four-year college or university, Moorpark College offers programs and courses to help you achieve your educational objectives.

Your educational goals should directly influence the courses and programs you choose while attending Moorpark College. Keeping your goals in mind when selecting classes and remaining informed about requirements specific to those goals will help you stay on track toward success.

Planning Is Critical

You may already know what you want to accomplish at Moorpark College, or you may still be exploring your options. Moorpark College counselors are available to help you identify your goals and develop an educational plan to support your success. Counselors also assist students who are undecided about their academic or career direction.

Students are strongly encouraged to develop an Educational Plan as early as possible. Schedule a counseling appointment to begin exploring your educational and career opportunities.

What Do You Want to Accomplish at Moorpark College?

At Moorpark College, students may pursue one or more of the following goals:

• Prepare to transfer to a four-year college or university while earning an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), completing general education certification, and/or fulfilling UC Transfer Pathways requirements.
• Earn a Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing or a Bachelor of Science in Applied Cyberdefense & Network Operations (ACNO).
• Earn an associate degree in a specific major or in General Studies with an area of emphasis.
• Gain skills for employment, job advancement, or career preparation through a Certificate of Achievement, Proficiency Award, or Certificate of Completion.
• Prepare for credit coursework by earning a Certificate of Competency.

Proof of Your Success

Moorpark College offers seven distinct types of awards that recognize educational achievement. For students planning to enter or advance in the workforce, these awards provide valuable evidence of academic accomplishment and acquired skills.

Bachelor’s Degrees

The Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Cyberdefense & Network Operations (ACNO) are awarded to students who successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester units. Requirements include prerequisite coursework, lower- and upper-division major coursework, lower- and upper-division general education, and other Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) graduation requirements. Students should schedule an appointment with the designated counselor for additional information.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT)

Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete 60 semester units, including an approved lower-division general education pattern for transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU), as well as a prescribed sequence of lower-division major preparation coursework.

Students who earn an ADT are guaranteed admission to the CSU system in a major deemed similar to their transfer degree and will have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree with an additional 60 semester units of upper-division coursework.

Associate Degrees 

Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees provide a broader educational experience than Certificates of Achievement by requiring coursework across multiple disciplines to strengthen critical thinking and broaden knowledge. These degrees require completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units, including general education and coursework in a chosen major.

Moorpark College offers a variety of associate degree options. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to determine the most appropriate educational pathway.

Certificates of Achievement (COA)

Certificates of Achievement require concentrated study in a specific skill or knowledge area. These certificates generally require more units and provide more in-depth study than a Proficiency Award. Students who complete a Certificate of Achievement are eligible to participate in the annual spring graduation ceremony, and the award is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Proficiency Awards (PA)

Proficiency Awards recognize successful completion of one or more courses in a focused career or skill area. These awards are not recorded on student transcripts, and students earning only a Proficiency Award are not eligible to participate in the annual graduation ceremony.

Certificates of Competency

Certificates of Competency are noncredit awards that recognize achievement of competencies designed to prepare students for a career pathway or enrollment in credit coursework.

Certificates of Completion

Certificates of Completion are noncredit awards designed to improve employability and job opportunities through successful completion of a designated sequence of noncredit courses.