WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College has added its 19th associate’s degree guaranteeing graduates acceptance to a CSU campus as a junior and priority consideration in selecting their field of study.
The Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in philosophy was approved in May by the California Community Colleges in accordance with SB 1400, which created the guaranteed pathway from community college to Cal State in 2010.

“With 19 Degrees for Transfer in place – and more in the works – Rio Hondo continues to expand the pathways to success for our students,” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said. “We are especially proud of our program in philosophy, which admirably prepares students for the rigorous program offered by our CSU partners.”

Rio Hondo’s philosophy AA-T was developed by a team of faculty and administrators, including Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences Rebecca Green, Professor of Philosophy Ted Preston and Associate Professor of Philosophy Scott Dixon.

“Our new degree will ease the transition for students who decide to pursue a philosophy degree at the Cal State system,” said Kenn Pierson, Rio Hondo College Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Rio Hondo College staff, meanwhile, are hard at work finalizing up to six new transfer degrees. As with the philosophy degree, they will be reviewed by the Community College Chancellor’s Office before approval is granted.

In all, the California Community Colleges system’s 112 campuses offer 1,787 Associate Degrees for Transfer and are working 212 others. Rio Hondo is among the 39 campuses to offer 19 to 25 such degrees.

“Rio Hondo is aggressive about pursuing every new educational opportunity for our students,” said Board of Trustees President Madeline Shapiro. “Our Degrees for Transfer is a critical element of our student-centered philosophy.”

Rio Hondo College Degrees for Transfer (alphabetical order)
1. Administration of Justice
2. Anthropology
3. Art History
4. Business Administration
5. Communication Studies
6. Early Childhood Education
7. English
8. History
9. Journalism
10. Kinesiology
11. Mathematics
12. Philosophy
13. Physics
14. Political Science
15. Psychology
16. Sociology
17. Spanish
18. Studio Arts
19. Theatre Arts