AP 4025 - Philosophy and Criteria for Associate Degrees and General Education

AP 4025 - Philosophy and Criteria for Associate Degrees and General Education

 

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Administrative Procedures

Chapter 4 - Academic Affairs

AP 5025 - Philosophy and Criteria for Associate Degrees and General Education


Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degrees

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree is intended for students who plan to complete a baccalaureate degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Each AA-T or AS-T is accepted by some but not all CSU campuses.

The following is required for all AA-T and AS-T degrees:

  1. 60 CSU transferable semester units;

  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some CSU campuses and majors may require a higher GPA;

  3. Completion of all required courses in the major with a grade of “C” or better. A “P” (pass) grade meets this requirement.

  4. Completion of the CSU General Education-Breadth pattern or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern.

Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees

The Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree is intended for students interested in career technical education or transfer preparation. All associate degrees shall be one of two general types: associate of arts or associate of science.

  1. The “Associate of Science” (AS) degree will be awarded in the areas of science, technology, engineering or mathematics; or areas of career technical education; and

  2. The “Associate of Arts” (AA) degree will be awarded in all areas not included in subdivision I.

The following is required for all AA and AS degrees:

  1. 60 associate degree applicable semester units;

  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in the 18-unit general education requirement;

  3. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all associate degree applicable courses;

  4. Completion of all required courses in the major with a grade of “C” or better. A “P” (pass) grade meets this requirement.

  5. Completion of District Residency Requirements;

    1. A minimum of 12 associate degree applicable semester units completed in residence at the College awarding the degree; and

    2. A minimum of 6 semester units in the major completed in residence at the College awarding the degree.

  6. District competencies completion of:

    1. Competence in English composition shall be demonstrated by obtaining a satisfactory grade in an English course at the level of freshman composition or equivalent; and

    2. Competence in mathematics means the ability to analyze and reason quantitatively and solve problems using concepts at the at the level of intermediate algebra or higher. Courses that meet the math competency requirement have a substantial component involving mathematical reasoning. Students must complete one course with a grade of "C" or better from a list of courses approved by Curriculum and Instructional Council (CIC).

  7. One of the following General Education options;

    1. Option 1 San Diego Community College District General Education and District Requirements including:

1). American Institutions/California Government;

2). Health Education;

3) Exercise Science Activity ; and

4) Multicultural Studies.

b. Option 2 CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Pattern);

c. Option 3 Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern;

d. Option 4 SDCCD General Education Requirements. Students selecting this option should meet with a counselor to determine the appropriate General Education courses for their individual transfer goals. Note Option 4 is only available for transfer students with a declared major in liberal arts and sciences degrees or a degree designed transfer students as specified in the college catalog; or

e. Option 5 Students who submit an official transcript showing they have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will have satisfied the SDCCD associate degree general education and District requirements by having previously completed the baccalaureate degree.

f. Regardless of the option chosen students must complete a minimum of 18 semester (27quarter) units of general education, including a minimum of three semester (four quarter) units in each of the areas

1) Language and Rationality;

2) English Composition;

3) Communications and Analytical Thinking;

4) Natural Sciences;

5) Humanities; and

6) Social and Behavioral Sciences.

7) The remaining of the unit requirement is also to be selected from among the four divisions of learning or as determined by local option.

 

Program Recency

Program Recency may be established to require major courses to be completed within a minimum of 36 months prior to the date of awarding the degree or certificate and shall:

1. Be established by discipline faculty only if it has been determined a significant lapse of time will have an impact on a student’s ability to successfully fulfill the goals and objectives;

2. Be stated in the official outline of record; and

3. Be required of all students in the program.

 

Additional Degree

A student having received an associate or baccalaureate degree may qualify for an additional Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in a new major or concentration.

An additional degree:

1. Permits upgrading or preparation for upgrading current employment.

2. Prepares for employment in an area different from that provided by previous training.

3. Provides general knowledge leading to fulfillment of personal goals.

4. Allows the student to improve priority of transfer applications by earning an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT).

 

The following requirements are applicable:

1. A student must earn a minimum of 6 mutually exclusive required semester units in the new major or emphasis. A minimum of twelve ( 12) semester degree-applicable units must be completed in residence at the college granting the degree.

2. A student must fulfill current catalog associate degree requirements.

3. In order to receive an additional college degree, the student must file a Petition for Graduation in the Evaluations Office. Counselors will review all previous college work to determine the student’s eligibility for a second degree.

 

ADT Exemption: Students who have previously been awarded an Associate Degree, and wish to receive one ADT in the same or similar major, will be exempt from the additional unit requirement of 6 new units.

References:

California Code of Regulations, title 5, Sections 55061; 55070, 55072, 51022, 55130, and 55600 et seq. Education Code: Sections 70901, and 70902, 78106 WASC/ACCJC Accreditation Standard II.A,

Approved by the Chancellor:

DATE: 11/18/2019

Supersedes:

2/10/2017