AFSCME’s free bachelor’s degree program is here to stay

There is good news for AFSCME members looking to pursue higher education. AFSCME Free College has made its bachelor’s degree completion program a permanent benefit.

That means that AFSCME members and their families can earn a bachelor’s degree for free, making an even wider choice of career options a possibility for more people.

Central State University (CSU) in Ohio is now offering five degree completion options in partnership with AFSCME: business administration, early childhood education, education intervention specialist, criminal justice and interdisciplinary studies/humanities (for people who have earned previous college credit in a variety of subject areas).

In order to begin the bachelor’s degree program at CSU, students need to have earned an associate degree or 60 credits with a 2.2 GPA. Almost 1,400 people have taken advantage of this free, flexible opportunity through the bachelor’s degree completion program.

Just like the free associate degree through AFSCME Free College, the bachelor’s degree program is conducted exclusively online, making it tailor-made for those who work full time.

For AFSCME members and their families who have not yet earned an associate degree or do not have 60 credits in hand, AFSCME’s Free College through Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) is a great pathway to earn your free bachelor’s degree. You may begin your studies at EGCC then transfer to CSU.

More than 20,000 people have taken advantage of the associate degree option, pursuing education in areas ranging from social work to accounting to criminal justice and more.

Students who pursue EGCC’s business management degree program may now earn a specialized certificate in a wide variety of disciplines, like finance, hospitality, cyber security, health care management and more. Certificates are awarded after successful completion of four specialized courses in the subject area. This helps students to demonstrate transferable skills and knowledge of an in-demand area of study to current and future employers.

Remember: AFSCME Free College is open not only to union members, but retirees and family members of union members, including children, spouses, siblings and others.

AFSCME Free College is just one of many ways AFSCME members experience the union difference.