Planning Your Education
Planning Your Education
Make Educational Choices to Support Your Goals
Why are you attending Moorpark College?
We all have unique interests and goals. You may be attending Moorpark College for any number of reasons. Moorpark College offers courses in an array of disciplines that can prepare you for skilled trades, specialized careers, job advancement, and transfer to a four-year college or university to further your education. Your goals should have a direct influence on the courses and programs you choose to complete while at Moorpark College. It is important to keep your goals in mind at all times when selecting classes and programs and to remain informed about requirements specific to your goals.
Planning is Critical
You may already know what you want to accomplish while enrolled at Moorpark College, or you may be unaware of your options and what is necessary to reach your goals. Counselors at Moorpark College are available to help you identify your goals and to create an educational plan that will help you achieve those goals. The counselors also assist undecided students in clarifying what their goals are. It is to the student’s advantage to develop an Educational Plan as soon as possible. Schedule a counseling appointment to start exploring the possibilities.
What do you want to accomplish at Moorpark College?
- Prepare to transfer to a four-year college or university while earning an Associate Degree for Transfer, obtaining general education certification, and/or fulfilling UC Transfer Pathways requirements.
- Earn an Associate Degree in a specific major or in General Studies with an area of emphasis.
- Gain skills for improved employability or job placement/advancement 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 showing educational achievement. If you are hoping to apply skills and knowledge to the job market once you have completed your studies at Moorpark College, having proof of your accomplishments can be an asset.
- Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) are Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees that are awarded to students who successfully complete 60 semester units of required general education (either the CSU GE-Breadth, CSU GE-Breadth for STEM, IGETC for CSU, or IGETC for STEM pattern) and a specified sequence of lower-division major preparation coursework. Students with an ADT are guaranteed admission into the CSU in a program deemed similar to that of the transfer degree and will have the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree upon completion of an additional 60 units of upper-division study. Students completing the IGETC for IGETC for STEM pattern must complete IGETC Area 1C (Oral Communication) to be guaranteed admission to the CSU.
- Associate in Science for University of California (UC) Transfer Pathways (AS-UCTP) degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete a UC Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG) along with the required major and general education requirements. Currently, Moorpark College offers an AS-UCTP in Biology and Environmental Science. Schedule an appointment with a counselor for more information on these AS-UCTP degrees.
- Associate Degrees are traditional Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degrees. These degrees are broader in scope than Certificates of Achievement because they require coursework in an array of disciplines to broaden your learning experience and strengthen your critical thinking skills. An AA or AS degree requires the completion of 60 degree-applicable units, including courses in general education plus courses in a chosen major. Moorpark College offers a number of associate degrees. Students should see a Moorpark College counselor to assist them in determining which study pattern they should follow.
- Certificates of Achievement (COA) require concentrated study in a specific skill or knowledge area. Certificates require more units and generally provide more in-depth study than a Proficiency Award. Completion of a Certificate of Achievement makes a student eligible to participate in the spring graduation ceremony and is recorded on the student’s transcript.
- Proficiency Awards (PA) show that the student has successfully completed one or more courses in a targeted career or skills 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.
- Certificate of Competency are noncredit awards that demonstrate achievement in a set of competencies that prepares students to process in a career path or to enroll in credit courses.
- Certificate of Completion are noncredit awards that are designed to improve employability or job opportunities upon completion of a designated sequence of noncredit courses.
Counseling Services
Dr. Khushnur Dadabhoy Counseling
Dean of Student Learning
Student Engagement
Instructional Program
Counseling (COUN)
Full-Time Counseling Faculty
- Daniel Aguilar
- Gregory Balam (EOPS)
- Lydia Basmajian
- Eddie Beltran
- Chuck Brinkman IV
- Esmeralda Camarena (EOPS)
- Pablo Diaz
- Jodi Dickey (Department Chair)
- Cristina Garcia
- Jolie Herzig (ACCESS)
- Trevor Hess
- Tino Keagan (ACCESS)
- Ashley Lajoie
- Letrisha Mai (Articulation Officer)
- Kellie Porto-Garcia
- Giselle Ramirez
- Danita Redd
- Angie Rodriguez (EOPS)
- Rosa Sanchez
- Trulie Thompson
- Samantha Zaldivar
Choose an Educational Goal
Which Educational Program is the Right Fit For You?
The information below shows the different opportunities available at Moorpark College to prepare you for your chosen career and the type of recognition you will receive for completing these programs. Schedule an appointment with a counselor to help you choose your specific educational goals.
Transfer to a Four-Year Institution

Moorpark College offers students the opportunity to complete their associate degree while completing courses that are required for transfer and apply toward their bachelor’s degree, whether that is a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), or an independent or out-of-state institution.
Associate Degree for Transfer - Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T)

California Community Colleges (CCC) are now offering Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) to the California State University (CSU). These include Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide students with a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree by completing 60 CSU transferable semester units at the community college and 60 additional units at the CSU campus granting the bachelor's degree. Moorpark College currently offers 32 ADTs with more in development. Please meet with a counselor to see if one of these ADTs is appropriate for you and meets your transfer educational goal.
Associate in Science for University of California (UC) Transfer Pathways (AS-UCTP)

The University of California (UC) has developed associate degree patterns that align with UC Transfer Pathways (UCTP). These degrees will be awarded to students who successfully complete a UC Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG) along with the required major and general education requirements. The University of California has created degree patterns in Physics and Chemistry, and patterns in other disciplines are in development.
Associate Degree - Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS)

In any economy, it is advantageous to have a college degree. Most associate degree majors at Moorpark College are applicable to the local job market. An Associate in Arts (AA) or an Associate in Science (AS) degree requires the completion of 60 degree-applicable units including courses in general education and courses in the chosen major. Moorpark College also offers a General Studies associate degree that allows students to choose an area of emphasis from a group of disciplines rather than a specific major.
See a complete list of requirements for earning an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree.
Certificate of Achievement (COA)
A Certificate of Achievement requires concentrated study in specific skill or knowledge areas. A certificate of achievement requires more units and generally provides more in-depth study than a Proficiency Award. Completion of a Certificate of Achievement is reflected on the student’s transcript and makes a student eligible to participate in the spring graduation ceremony.
See a complete list of requirements for earning a Certificate of Achievement.
Proficiency Award (PA)
A Proficiency Award is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed a course or a sequence of courses designed to lead them to specific employment types or enhance their skills. These awards are not recorded on the student's transcript and do not make a student eligible to participate in the spring graduation ceremony.
See a complete list of requirements for earning a Proficiency Award.
Certificate of Competency (Noncredit)
A noncredit Certificate of Competency is awarded to students who have demonstrated achievement in a set of competencies that prepares them to progress in a career path or to take nondegree-applicable or degree-applicable credit courses.
See a complete list of requirements for earning a Certificate of Competency.
Certificate of Completion (Noncredit)
A noncredit Certificate of Completion is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed a sequence of noncredit courses designed to improve employability or job opportunities.
See a complete list of requirements for earning a Certificate of Completion.