5 answers
zoey
Student
Newnan, Georgia
8
Questions
Asked
1089 views
so update on community colleges, I am looking into the Atlanta technical college, but I have no clue what class to take. If you've seen my first few questions, you'll remember I said I wanted to do Zoology, but thats the issue. Atlanta technical doesn't offer Zoology, so I am confused. Please someone explain how the community colleges work and also which class I should take
I'm so lost, college makes zero sense right now.
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5 answers
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Zoey,
If you are interested in Zoology but Atlanta Technical College does not offer it, do not worry! You can begin by taking general education courses like Biology or Environmental Science. These will prepare you for a transfer to a university with a Zoology program. Consult with an advisor—they can guide you through college courses. Meanwhile, consider other programs that might interest you. Starting at a community college is a smart choice, keeping costs low while you work towards your Zoology goals. Hope this helps!
If you are interested in Zoology but Atlanta Technical College does not offer it, do not worry! You can begin by taking general education courses like Biology or Environmental Science. These will prepare you for a transfer to a university with a Zoology program. Consult with an advisor—they can guide you through college courses. Meanwhile, consider other programs that might interest you. Starting at a community college is a smart choice, keeping costs low while you work towards your Zoology goals. Hope this helps!
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1014
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Zoey, it is understandable to feel lost when navigating the complexities of community colleges, especially when you have a specific career path in mind, like Zoology, but the institution you're considering doesn’t offer that exact program. Community colleges typically offer a range of courses that can serve as foundational steps toward a degree in your desired field, even if the program itself isn't directly available. In your case, while Atlanta Technical College might not offer a Zoology program specifically, it likely offers relevant courses that can help you work toward your goals in biology, environmental science, or animal care, which are closely related fields.
Zoey, you should know that at a community college, the first step is often to focus on general education requirements—courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These are foundational for any science-related career and can be applied to a future degree in Zoology or related fields at a four-year institution. For instance, taking introductory biology courses (such as BIOL 1010: General Biology) would be an excellent starting point, as it will build the knowledge base you'll need in Zoology. Additionally, classes in animal science or ecology could provide more specialized knowledge related to your interests.
You should also explore the option of transferring credits. Many students begin their education at a community college and then transfer to a four-year institution that offers the specific degree they’re looking for—in your case, a Zoology program. Atlanta Technical College, like many other community colleges, may have articulation agreements with universities, which means you could start your education there and later transfer to a university offering a Bachelor’s in Zoology, Biology, or Environmental Science. For example, the University of Georgia (UGA) offers a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, which you could pursue after completing relevant coursework at a community college.
I recommend meeting with an academic advisor at Atlanta Technical College to discuss your specific career goals and the best courses to take. They can help you map out a pathway, whether that involves transferring to another school later or pursuing a related degree like Environmental Science, which often overlaps with Zoology. You can also look at online resources such as the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) to explore schools that offer Zoology and see which ones have strong transfer agreements with community colleges.
College can feel overwhelming, but breaking down your goals and understanding that the first steps often involve building a broad foundation can make it more manageable. By starting with the right courses at a community college, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother transition to a specialized program down the road.
Zoey, you should know that at a community college, the first step is often to focus on general education requirements—courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and math. These are foundational for any science-related career and can be applied to a future degree in Zoology or related fields at a four-year institution. For instance, taking introductory biology courses (such as BIOL 1010: General Biology) would be an excellent starting point, as it will build the knowledge base you'll need in Zoology. Additionally, classes in animal science or ecology could provide more specialized knowledge related to your interests.
You should also explore the option of transferring credits. Many students begin their education at a community college and then transfer to a four-year institution that offers the specific degree they’re looking for—in your case, a Zoology program. Atlanta Technical College, like many other community colleges, may have articulation agreements with universities, which means you could start your education there and later transfer to a university offering a Bachelor’s in Zoology, Biology, or Environmental Science. For example, the University of Georgia (UGA) offers a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, which you could pursue after completing relevant coursework at a community college.
I recommend meeting with an academic advisor at Atlanta Technical College to discuss your specific career goals and the best courses to take. They can help you map out a pathway, whether that involves transferring to another school later or pursuing a related degree like Environmental Science, which often overlaps with Zoology. You can also look at online resources such as the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) to explore schools that offer Zoology and see which ones have strong transfer agreements with community colleges.
College can feel overwhelming, but breaking down your goals and understanding that the first steps often involve building a broad foundation can make it more manageable. By starting with the right courses at a community college, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother transition to a specialized program down the road.
Michelle M.
Actress
2482
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello again, Zoey !
In retrospect, your questions do have a through line of not being informed sufficiently, so I can understand your confusion. You must speak with your guidance counselor if information or advice has not helped you so far.
In order to be a Zoologist, you will need to go to a college that offers a Zoology Program so you can obtain a Bachelors Degree in Zoology and start a career as a Zoologist. Not every college offers this so I left a link for you below of a list of all the colleges in the U.S. that offer the Zoology program that you will need for that career. Not every college offers all majors, so you'll have to decide your next step. By doing a bit of research, I think it is safe to say that community colleges do not offer a degree in Zoology and that's maybe why you haven't found one yet if you're specifically looking for a Zoology degree. You'd have to go to a four year university for the Bachelors Degree in it as it is required for obtaining work as a Zoologist.
My advice may be different and it may be redirecting you, however, going to a community college for a science - which would be a human science - is not going to prepare you. You will need to begin with animal science and straight through for your Bachelors. Other people applying for the job will have that and perhaps had more opportunities because they focused on zoology specifically for four years. A degree in biology or a science will put you 2 years short of what you need for zoology.
You could also major in Animal Health and Behavior, Wildlife Conservation, or Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, obtaining your Bachelors Degree in one of those majors. Do a search online to find colleges that offer those majors. It's worth the effort if you really want to be a Zoologist.
You may have to consider going to a college out of state for the best program for your major. It's just not a major that every college offers. To alleviate the confusion, just remember that you match your career goal to a major and then find a college that offers a degree in it. Yes, it's a lot of reading, but that's what everyone does in order to find preparation for their career.
The alternative would be to major in one of the human sciences and obtain a Masters Degree in Zoology, which is not the usual path to be a Zoologist and your undergraduate degree will not prepare you to work with animals. So, think about attending college for a Bachelors Degree in Zoology at a college that offers it.
Sometimes what we may want to do is not the best route or the best thing to do, but there is an appropriate path for the career you want, so it's all up to you.
Best wishes in sorting it all out !
COLLEGES THAT OFFER A BACHELORS DEGREE IN ZOOLOGY https://www.bachelorsportal.com/study-options/269779348/zoology-united-states.html
In retrospect, your questions do have a through line of not being informed sufficiently, so I can understand your confusion. You must speak with your guidance counselor if information or advice has not helped you so far.
In order to be a Zoologist, you will need to go to a college that offers a Zoology Program so you can obtain a Bachelors Degree in Zoology and start a career as a Zoologist. Not every college offers this so I left a link for you below of a list of all the colleges in the U.S. that offer the Zoology program that you will need for that career. Not every college offers all majors, so you'll have to decide your next step. By doing a bit of research, I think it is safe to say that community colleges do not offer a degree in Zoology and that's maybe why you haven't found one yet if you're specifically looking for a Zoology degree. You'd have to go to a four year university for the Bachelors Degree in it as it is required for obtaining work as a Zoologist.
My advice may be different and it may be redirecting you, however, going to a community college for a science - which would be a human science - is not going to prepare you. You will need to begin with animal science and straight through for your Bachelors. Other people applying for the job will have that and perhaps had more opportunities because they focused on zoology specifically for four years. A degree in biology or a science will put you 2 years short of what you need for zoology.
You could also major in Animal Health and Behavior, Wildlife Conservation, or Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, obtaining your Bachelors Degree in one of those majors. Do a search online to find colleges that offer those majors. It's worth the effort if you really want to be a Zoologist.
You may have to consider going to a college out of state for the best program for your major. It's just not a major that every college offers. To alleviate the confusion, just remember that you match your career goal to a major and then find a college that offers a degree in it. Yes, it's a lot of reading, but that's what everyone does in order to find preparation for their career.
The alternative would be to major in one of the human sciences and obtain a Masters Degree in Zoology, which is not the usual path to be a Zoologist and your undergraduate degree will not prepare you to work with animals. So, think about attending college for a Bachelors Degree in Zoology at a college that offers it.
Sometimes what we may want to do is not the best route or the best thing to do, but there is an appropriate path for the career you want, so it's all up to you.
Best wishes in sorting it all out !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Jennifer King
Talent Acquisition
40
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
I agree with the others; it's important to concentrate on the general studies. I also recommend meeting with a career counselor at the school to assist. This will prepare you well and make sure you're ready to transfer when the time is right. You've got this!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
426
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Zoey - this is an excellent question, and Rafael has given solid advice. To build on his points, you can complete your general education and potentially pre-major requirements at the community college level.
I looked at the website for West Georgia Technical College, the community college closest to you. The link below is to their general studies area, which describes how credits can be transferred from community colleges to 4-year colleges. Biology, the area Rafael recommended that you pursue, is one of the programs mentioned.
Good luck!
West Georgia Technical College - https://www.westgatech.edu/program-explorer/transfer-programs/general-studies/biology--
I looked at the website for West Georgia Technical College, the community college closest to you. The link below is to their general studies area, which describes how credits can be transferred from community colleges to 4-year colleges. Biology, the area Rafael recommended that you pursue, is one of the programs mentioned.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps: