SFCC Associate In Arts and Associate In Science Degree Requirements Policy 3-3

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1 SFCC Associate In Arts and Associate In Science Degree Requirements Policy 3-3 Policy Overview Defines degree requirements for the associate in arts and associate in science and establish the procedure for earning these degrees. This policy and accompanying documents are designed to serve the best interests of our students by providing a clearly defined pathway to degree completion. Scope and Applicability This policy applies to all full-time and part-time students who are seeking an associate in arts or associate in science. Policy Statement A. The associate in arts and associate in science degrees shall consist of a minimum of 61 credit hours and shall not exceed 72 credit hours. B. Applicants for the associate in arts or associate in science degree must do the following: 1. Satisfy all conditions for admission to the college. 2. Successfully complete the required course of study specified in the college catalog for the degree plan that the student has chosen. 3. Earn an overall cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least Successfully complete the required college-level courses specified in the degree plan selected. Policy 3-3 Page 1 of 5

2 5. Successfully complete one-quarter of the total required credit hours for the degree at Santa Fe Community College. This requirement includes a minimum of onequarter of the SFCC core requirements for the degree. 6. Complete at least 35 credit hours of general-education requirements as described in Section B Complete the remaining degree requirements, which consist of SFCC core requirements, related requirements, and approved electives as specified in the degree plan. 8. Complete the standard degree requirements for all associate degrees, which consist of 1 credit hour satisfying the Health and Wellness Requirement. 9. Meet all financial obligations to the college. 10. File a petition to graduate. Purpose Provides requirements and procedures whereby the associate in arts and the associate in science degrees may be earned. Definitions A. Transfer Degree Programs (also known as university-parallel programs): are two-year degrees designed for students intending to transfer to upper-division baccalaureate programs. Transfer degree programs are intended to parallel the first two years of study at four-year institutions. Policy 3-3 Page 2 of 5

3 1. Associate in Arts. The associate in arts (AA) is designed for students majoring in such areas as the arts, business, humanities, social sciences, education, and general studies. 2. Associate in Science. The associate in science (AS) degree is designed for students majoring in such areas as the physical or natural sciences, engineering and technology, computer science, and physical education. B. General Education. 1. General-education requirements must consist of a minimum of 35 transferable credit hours in the following areas: communications (9 credit hours) mathematics (3 credit hours) laboratory science (8 credit hours) social and behavioral sciences (6-9 credit hours) total of 15 credits in social and behavioral sciences and humanities humanities and fine arts (6-9 credit hours) 2. Six (6) credit hours of the A.A. and A.S. must come from an approved list of courses that satisfy the following requirements. These are not meant to be additional hours in the degree but are, instead, existing courses that satisfy the requirement and appear anywhere in the degree. Cultural Perspectives: 3 credit hours Sustainable Living: 3 credit hours 3. The General Education Common Core: 35 credit hours are selected from the New Mexico Higher Education Department s "General Education Common Core Matrix of Transferable Courses". Any of these courses that a student completes with a grade of C or better are guaranteed to transfer to any public postsecondary institution in New Mexico. Policy 3-3 Page 3 of 5

4 Note: The transfer matrix includes only general-education courses common to all public colleges and universities in New Mexico. It should therefore be viewed as a guide and does not guarantee that courses in the common core meet the degree requirements at all receiving institutions. Students must work closely with their advisors and their transfer institutions to assure the best transition to the four-year institution of their choice. C. Standard degree requirements are mandatory for all SFCC associate degrees and consist of 1 credit hour satisfying the Health and Wellness requirement. D. Core requirements are mandatory courses in or closely related to the student's major field of study at SFCC. (The college's use of the term core requirements should not be confused with the HED use of the term core in its Common Core Matrix of Transferable Courses.) E. Related requirements consist of required courses (if any) from which students may choose that are in or are closely related to the major field of study. F. Approved electives consist of optional courses (if any) from the "related requirements" list or any other courses that the student and his or her advisor determine to be appropriate and applicable to the degree. G. College-level courses are numbered 111 and above. They include content that meets accepted standards of postsecondary academic skills. H. Developmental courses are numbered below 111 and are intended to develop collegelevel academic skills. Policy 3-3 Page 4 of 5

5 Statement of Accountability and Responsibility At least once every three years, this policy and supporting documents shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (VP/ASA) and Curriculum Committee. The findings and recommendations shall be presented to Governance Council by the VP/ASA and, if approved by Governance Council, to the Governing Board. Authority (POLICY APPROVAL: , SFCC Governing Board) RL/MP Updated: 3/16/11 Policy 3-3 Page 5 of 5