Free community college for everyone? We can all be Aric Hall!

[Christopher]

In California you only need an AA to teach Early Childhood Education (Pre-School). If you have an AA in Child Development, you can get the California Child Development permit from the state. Getting a BA in that field won't do much to improve pay because it's pretty low and whether you have a BA or AA you get the same teaching permit. To be a regular Elementary teacher is a whole different thing though and requires a BA with heavy duty credential work done. I almost major Child Development as a returning student. In fact I cancelled out my classes two weeks back as I saw it really wouldn't lead me anywhere. In Nevada to be a substitute teacher you only need an AA degree in anything but can't sub teach with anything lower than an AA/AS. In California it's a BA to sub teach. So some careers you only need an AA and a BA isn't required or isn't worth the added costs. If you want to be an office manager of a school you really only need an AA in something office like. Business Admin, Admin Assistant. The pay is fair, but not great. But a lot of married women work those positions so they have two incomes coming in.

Sure, as a cost effective means in pursuit of a BA/BS, I agree--that is the rational route to go in utilizing CC. My point is a stand alone credential of only having an AA/AS likely won't open any doors for you, and for the doors they do open, you probably didn't need the AA/AS to begin with. The Vo-Tech and AAS programs being the exception. I believe the only way 'the juice is worth the squeeze' with CC degrees in History or Sociology etc. is if the student understands that ultimately they will need to complete the 4 year degree to realize the true potential of their education and attain desired job opportunities in their area of study.