Students who complete an associate degree at Lake-Sumter State College have many pathways to continue their education in a bachelor’s program. LSSC offers several baccalaureate options, including a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Leadership with multiple concentrations, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exceptional Student Education, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing. Beyond LSSC, Florida’s State University System (SUS) provides access to more than 200 bachelor’s degree programs for students to explore after completing their associate degree.

It’s important to note that many university programs have additional admission requirements beyond earning an associate degree. Some programs are limited access or use a competitive selection process. Admission criteria may include a higher GPA, specific test scores or entrance exams, completion of additional coursework, auditions, or portfolio submissions. When programs require specific courses, often referred to as Common Program Prerequisites, students should plan to complete these courses as part of their Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree whenever possible.

Students are encouraged to work closely with an academic advisor throughout their time at LSSC to ensure they are meeting degree and transfer requirements. In addition, students should contact their intended university directly to confirm program-specific admission criteria aligned with their academic and career goals. Students who are undecided about their career path are strongly encouraged to meet with a career advisor for guidance and exploration support.

Degree Completion and Transfer Preparation

Students are advised to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for their last semester to confirm that all of their degree requirements will be met at the end of the upcoming semester. Students must declare an intent to graduate by submitting a Graduation Application. Student must submit their Graduation Application in their myLSSC student portal by the advertised deadline.

Note: The LSSC diploma and transcript will reflect the Associate in Arts degree without a specific designated transfer major.

Before planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Lake-Sumter State College or another institution, students are encouraged: 

• Meet regularly with an academic advisor to monitor progress toward your degree.
• Explore and confirm which bachelor’s program and college or university best align with your academic interests and career goals.
• Review the college catalog and relevant department webpages of your intended institution to identify required courses that should be completed during your two-year degree.
• Work with an LSSC Academic Advisor to develop a personalized academic pathway plan, including appropriate course sequencing for your intended bachelor’s degree.
• Contact the admissions or transfer services office at your prospective institution to learn about application deadlines, transfer policies, financial aid opportunities, and available student support services.
• Plan to meet and/or exceed the admission requirements for your intended institution and program of study.
• Complete your Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, along with all required prerequisite courses, before beginning a bachelor’s program.
• Submit your Graduation Application through myLSSC by the advertised deadline to officially apply for completion of your A.A. or A.S. degree.

Degree Works Audit

Degree Works is a web-based academic advising and degree audit tool that helps students clearly track their progress toward completing a program of study. Through an easy-to-read audit, Degree Works outlines all program requirements and shows which courses have been completed and which remain. Degree Works also includes a helpful “What-If” feature, allowing students to explore how their progress would apply if they changed their major or degree program. 

By using Degree Works alongside other advising resources, a Lake-Sumter Academic Advisor can help students develop a personalized academic plan that aligns with both their current degree requirements and future bachelor’s-level goals. Students should keep in mind that prerequisites for bachelor’s degree programs may change. It is important to regularly confirm requirements with the intended transfer institution and review the most current Common Program Prerequisites Manual available through FloridaShines.

Program Transition Checklist

To ensure a smooth transition from an A.A. or A.S. degree at Lake-Sumter State College to a bachelor’s program at LSSC or another four-year institution, students are encouraged to plan and prepare throughout their time at LSSC.

First Two Semesters

• Meet with a Career Advisor to explore or confirm your career interests and identify the education or training credentials needed for your goals.
• Meet with an Academic Advisor to establish a clear academic pathway. This includes exploring degree programs, understanding required prerequisites, and discussing options for continuing into a bachelor’s program.
• Explore FloridaShines, Florida’s official online advising website, for tools related to major exploration, transfer planning, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and special programs.
• If you are interested in guaranteed admission to UCF, register for DirectConnect to UCF and schedule a meeting with a UCF advisor.

30-45+ Credit Hours

Submit the LSSC Graduation Application online by the advertised deadline.

• Meet with an Academic Advisor before registering for your final semesters to review your Degree Works audit, confirm graduation eligibility, and finalize course selections.
• Complete the admission application for your intended bachelor’s degree institution and program.
• Apply for financial aid and scholarships at the institution where you plan to continue your bachelor’s degree.
• Confirm whether your intended institution or program requires immunization records or additional documentation beyond standard admission requirements.
• Order an official LSSC transcript for your transfer institution. Some schools require a transcript before your final term ends; if so, remember to request an additional transcript once your final grades and associate degree have posted.

Transfer Tips

Course Selection and Credit Hours

• Students are strongly encouraged to use the elective portion of the A.A. degree to complete prerequisite courses aligned with their intended bachelor’s program.
• Beginning English and math coursework early and progressing through the required sequence is highly recommended.
• Most common program prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
• Select courses carefully as excess hours may affect your financial aid eligibility.
• Students should be aware of Florida’s excess hours policy, which can result in increased tuition costs.
• Some bachelor's degrees may require more than 60 credit hours at LSSC in order to complete all required prerequisites before transfer.

Foreign Language

• Determine the transfer institution’s foreign language requirements.
• Some colleges and universities may have both admission and graduation foreign language requirements.

FloridaShines

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the transfer resources available through FloridaShines. FloridaShines is a free, comprehensive online platform designed to help students succeed in college and plan their educational pathway with confidence. The site provides easy-to-use tools that allow students to research and compare all public colleges and universities in Florida, explore academic programs, search for courses, and plan for transfer.

Through FloridaShines, students can:

• Search and compare college and university profiles
• Explore career planning and exploration tools
• Complete admissions applications
• Access an unofficial transcript
• Review degree program requirements and prerequisites
• Link directly to any Florida college or university website
• Use the College Transfer Center for transfer planning
• Access financial aid information
• Request transient study at another Florida state college or university

Students are encouraged to utilize transfer resources provided by FloridaShines. FloridaShines is an information-rich website of free online tools and resources to help students make informed decisions regarding their academic and career pathway.