3.1.
Degree program: A degree program is an area of study approved as such by the
institution and the Council and listed on the official Council inventory of
degree programs, e.g. Business, Criminal Justice, and General Studies. The
degree, which is an award signifying a rank or level of educational attainment
and which is conferred on students who have successfully completed a degree
program, is represented by the official degree designation, e.g. A.A. -
Associate in Arts, A.S. - Associate in Science, A.F.A. - Associate in Fine
Arts, or A.A.S. - Associate in Applied Science. The degree program completed
would be listed on the student's diploma.
There are nationally recognized associate degree designations
adopted for use. Each has a specific purpose and declares the specific intent
of those who framed the academic program requirements. The respective degree
designations communicate clearly the primary, predetermined goal for the
preparation of the student. Associate degrees require a maximum of sixty-credit
hours unless otherwise required by accrediting agencies for completion of the
degree and the certificate degree requires a maximum of thirty-credit hours for
completion unless otherwise required by accrediting agencies.
The curriculum is the foundation of certificate and associate
degree programs. For students to earn the degrees, the program must consist of
a coherent and sequenced set of courses, including an evaluation procedure that
assesses the outcomes of the learning process. The program must state the
proficiency outcomes required for the students to transfer to baccalaureate
institutions and/or achieve career goals.
Certificate and associate degree programs must include a full
complement of general education requirements appropriate to the level of the
degree, including essential communication and computation skills.
3.1.1. The Associate in Arts (AA) degree. The
purpose and intent of this degree are to prepare the student to transfer to an
upper division baccalaureate degree program. It gives emphasis to those
majoring in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and similar areas. While a
student may enter directly into employment upon attainment of this degree, the
goal of programs that award this degree is successful transfer with junior
status.
3.1.1.a. General Education. For
successful transfer with program emphasis in arts, humanities, social sciences,
and similar areas, a substantial component of this degree, at least 24 semester
hours of coursework, shall be in general education.
3.1.2. The Associate in Science (AS) degree.
The purpose and intent of this degree are to prepare the student to transfer to
an upper division baccalaureate degree program. It gives emphasis to those
majoring in the areas with substantial undergraduate requirements in
mathematics, natural sciences, and similar areas. While a student may enter
directly into employment upon attainment of this degree, the goal of programs
that award this degree is successful transfer with junior status.
3.1.2.a. General Education. For successful
transfer with program emphasis in agriculture, engineering and technology, and
the sciences with a substantial undergraduate requirement in mathematics and
the natural sciences, a large component of this degree, at least 24 semester
hours of coursework shall be in general education.
3.1.3. The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)
degree. The dual purpose and intent of this degree is to prepare students to
enter directly into employment in a specific art-related career while also
preparing students for transfer to an upper division baccalaureate program. It
gives emphasis to those majoring in areas with substantial emphasis in the
arts. While a student may enter directly into employment upon attainment of
this degree, the goal of programs that award this degree is successful transfer
with junior status.
3.1.3.a. General
Education. For successful transfer with program emphasis in art-related areas,
a large component of this degree, at least 24 semester hours of coursework
shall be in general education.
3.1.4. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
degree. The purpose and intent of this degree are to prepare the student to
enter directly into employment in a specific career. It gives emphasis to those
majoring in occupational programs designed with and through employer advisory
committees. It is the goal of this degree to achieve acceptance as an
employment credential. While a student may be able to achieve successful
transfer of some or all the courses within this degree, the goal of programs
that award this degree is successful employment.
3.1.4.a. General Education. For successful
entry directly into employment in a specific career and to provide a basic
foundation for life-long learning and future career changes, at least 15
semester hours of coursework for this degree shall be in general education
unless otherwise required by the accrediting agency. General education shall
include communication and computational skills and other general education
coursework related to the specific occupational career area.
3.1.5. Certificate in Applied
Science Degree [CAS] program. A certificate program in applied science is a
coherent, specialized curriculum designed for students in search of a specific
body of knowledge for personal/career development or professional continuing
education. The purpose and intent of the certificate degree program are to
prepare the student to enter directly into employment in a specific career and
meet the documented workforce needs of local employers. Generally, certificate
programs provide the foundation for the associate in applied science (AAS)
degree for occupational programs. Like the AAS degree, the goal of certificates
is to achieve acceptance as an employment credential.
3.1.5.a. General Education. As the foundation
of the Certificate in Applied Science degree and for successful entry into
employment in a specific career, at least 6 semester hours of coursework for
the certificate shall be in general education, including essential
communication and computation skills.
