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Certificate and Degree Requirements
2015-2016 Catalog
C
ertificate
& D
egree
R
equirements
Catalog Rights
A student may elect to meet the requirements for the associate
degree from:
1. The catalog in effect at the time of the
student’s graduation, or
2. The catalog in effect at the time the student
began continuous enrollment leading
to graduation.
For this regulation, a student shall be considered to have
continuous enrollment if enrolled and active in any graded
class at the census point (20%) of the semester. If a student
misses 24 consecutive months, the student loses his/her original
catalog rights and are not continuously enrolled.
Course Classification
Pursuant to revisions to the California Administrative Code,
Title 5, Section 55002 and 55062, all courses listed within the
college catalog fall into one of the following classifications:
• Credit, Degree Applicable
• Credit, Nondegree Applicable
• Noncredit
Certificates
Certificates for a course or a series of courses fewer than 18
units may be offered by disciplines/departments/divisions. A
certificate may be awarded with a minimum of “C” average for
finishing a course or courses leading to specific competencies.
Certificate of Achievement
A certificate of achievement shall be awarded to students who
successfully complete a specified curriculum with a minimum
“C” grade in each required course. The specific courses required
for the certificate of achievement are identified in each degree
program where such certificates are awarded.
In order to receive the certificate of achievement, the student
shall apply for the certificate with Admissions and Records
upon completion of the requirements.
Graduation Requirements
Associate Degrees
The awarding of an Associate Degree represents more than
an accumulation of units. It symbolizes a pattern of learning
experiences designed to develop specific capabilities and
insights. Among these are an understanding of the major
disciplines, required proficiencies in math, reading, and
English, and sufficient depth in some field of knowledge.
It is the responsibility of the student to consult a counselor
regarding the proper sequence in which courses should be
taken to satisfy graduation requirements.
Students earning an Associate Degree usually have one of
two purposes. Either the program of study prepares the
student for transfer to a four-year college or university, or
the program of study is intended to prepare the student for
immediate employment.
Most majors lead to an Associate in Arts degree. Minimum
requirements for the Associate in Science degree are the same
as for the Associate in Arts degree with the exception of the
major requirements. The Associate in Science degree will be
awarded for the completion of a required pattern of courses
in any occupational curriculum or in the biological sciences,
the physical sciences, or engineering.
The Board of Trustees of this District shall award the
Associate in Arts Degree, the Associate in Science Degree,
Associate in Arts or Science Degree for Transfer, and the
Certificate of Achievement to applicants upon the satisfactory
completion of the requirements as listed in this catalog
section. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of degree
and certificate requirements and of the student’s standing in
regard to those requirements. Students are urged to consult a
counselor regarding any questions about degree or certificate
requirements for the catalog year the student selects. All
references to credit units which appear in this section are to
semester units.
Exceptions to any of the regulations which follow will be
judged by the “Rule of Equity” which requires that any waiver
of standards be determined on the merit of the individual case.