MiraCosta College
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE
Effective Fall 2007 through Summer 2008
Associate in Arts Degree, University Studies (Transfer Major)
The Associate in Arts degree in University Studies is a degree program designed for students who plan to transfer to an accredited four-year university. It is granted in those disciplines for which a bachelor’s degree is considered the traditional degree. The goal of this degree program is to prepare students, as completely as possible, to meet the lower-division requirements of their transfer institution. To accomplish this goal, students must meet with a MiraCosta College counselor and complete a written educational plan. Students are expected to complete, at minimum, the lower-division preparation for their major and lower-division general education requirements selected from one of the following:
Associate in Arts Degree (Non-Transfer)
The terminal (non-transfer) Associate in Arts degree requires completion of 18 units in the major in addition to general education courses and other requirements. This type of Associate in Arts degree will not meet all transfer requirements in a student’s chosen major, nor will it meet general education requirements. The terminal Associate in Arts degree is offered in the following majors:
See below for AA Degree requirements for non-transfer or vocational degree.
Associate in Arts Degree, Registered Nursing
This degree option is available only to those students completing the LVN-RN Career Ladder (Step Up) Program. For degree requirements, see page 185 in the 2007-2008 MiraCosta College catalog.
Associate in Arts Degree, Vocational Major
The Associate in Arts degree in a vocational major may be earned by completing a Certificate of Competence (18 units minimum) in addition to general education courses and other requirements. Course work for the Certificates of Competence is developed by MiraCosta faculty in partnership with employers to insure students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of a trade or occupation. This degree is a good choice for students seeking both a degree and specific job training.
Certificates of Competence/Vocational Majors
Certificates of Competence can stand alone or be used to satisfy the requirements of a vocational major for an Associate in Arts degree.
See below for AA Degree requirements for non-transfer or vocational degree.
Certificates of Achievement
Certificates of Achievement are short-term certificates, typically requiring fewer than 18 units of course work, which introduce students to one aspect of a trade or occupation. A Certificate of Achievement may not be used as a vocational major for an Associate in Arts degree. In most cases, however, the courses completed for a Certificate of Achievement may also be applied toward a Certificate of Competence.
AA Degree Requirements for Non-Transfer or Vocational Degree
UNITS: 60 degree-applicable units minimum.
MAJOR: Complete a minimum of 18 units in a chosen major. A maximum of one course counted for the major also may be used to satisfy general education requirements with the exception of the Child Development Master Teacher and Biotechnology programs. Multiple degrees will not be allowed; however, multiple majors are allowed as long as there is a minimum of 18 unduplicated credits in the major. A student may not earn a multiple-major combination of University Studies and General Studies.
RESIDENCY: (Must meet the requirements of 1 and 2 OR 1 and 3.)
1. Must complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College, at least 6 in the major.
2. Of the last 12 units completed prior to graduation, at least 6 must be completed in residence at MiraCosta College OR
3. Must complete a total of 45 units of degree-applicable courses in residence at MiraCosta College, at least 6 in the major, if not in attendance at MiraCosta College during the last semester prior to graduation.
NOTE: A student who lacks 6 or fewer units in order to satisfy all degree requirements may be evaluated under the original catalog that applied.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES: No degree credit for courses numbered 800–900.
GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE): A GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in all degree-applicable units attempted is required for graduation. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 is required for courses taken as a part of a major. A grade of “C” or better is required in each and every course used to complete a certificate. This is true even if the certificate program is used as a major for the Associate in Arts degree. Courses taken on a credit/no credit basis are not considered in computing the grade point average.
MINIMUM COMPETENCIES: All students seeking an Associate in Arts degree must demonstrate competence in reading, written expression, and mathematics. Achievement of minimum competency does not mean students have met course work requirements for the Associate in Arts degree.
1. Reading: Reading competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following options:
a. Achieve a qualifying score on the reading component of the MiraCosta College English Assessment.
b. Complete with a grade of “C” or better Reading 100 or higher-level reading course OR English 100, 201, or 202 OR an equivalent course at another accredited college.
c. Present proof of one of the following:
1) A “pass for credit” on the CSU English Equivalency Examination.
2) A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement English Examination.
3) A score of 4 or better on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English Test.
2. Writing: Writing competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following options:
a. Achieve a qualifying score on the MiraCosta College English Assessment.
b. Complete with a grade of “C” or better English 100, 201, or 202 at MiraCosta College OR an
equivalent course at another accredited college.
c. Present proof of one of the following:
1) A “pass for credit” on the CSU English Equivalency Examination.
2) A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Program English Examination.
3) A score of 4 or better on the International Baccalaureate English 1A Higher Level Examination.
3. Mathematics: One of the following options may be used to satisfy the minimum competency
requirements in mathematics:
a. Pass with a grade of “C” or better a mathematics course numbered 101–270 at MiraCosta OR
complete at another accredited college a course equivalent to a MiraCosta mathematics course
numbered 101–270 OR complete a college mathematics course at another accredited college which
has a stated prerequisite of a course equivalent to a MiraCosta mathematics course numbered
101–270.
b. Achieve a score on the MiraCosta College Mathematics Competency Examination that qualifies a
student for a math course numbered 103–150. Results from other examinations may not be used to
satisfy minimum competency. Qualifying scores and related information are available in Testing
Services.
c. Present proof of one of the following:
Test Minimum Score
A College Board Mathematics Achievement Test
A College Board Advanced Placement Math Examination
Calculus AB
|
3 |
Calculus BC
|
3 |
Statistics
|
3 |
A College-Level Examination Program Subject Exam
College Algebra
|
50 |
College Algebra--Trigonometry
|
50 |
Trigonometry
|
50 |
Calulus with Elementary Applications
|
50 |
An International Baccalaureate Examination
Higher Level Mathematics
|
4 |
Subsidiary Level Mathematics
|
4 |
Subsidiary Level Mathematical Studies
|
4 |
CATALOG RIGHTS: Unless otherwise requested by the student on his/her petition for graduation, the catalog used to determine eligibility will be the catalog operating at the time the student began continual enrollment at MiraCosta College. Continual enrollment is defined as attending MiraCosta College for more than 30 percent (approximately six weeks) of each semester. A one-semester leave will not negate a student’s continuous status, but a continuous two-semester leave will negate such continuity. This provision does not include the summer intersession.
PETITION FOR DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE: Students must submit graduation and/or certificate petitions by the 30 percent deadline of the final semester leading to their graduation. (If a student intends to graduate during the summer intersession, he/she may petition during the spring semester.) Petitions submitted after this deadline will automatically be handled in the subsequent semester.
Transcripts from other colleges, approved substitutions and waivers, educational plans, and any other necessary documents should be on file in the Counseling Office before the student submits a petition to graduate.
GENERAL EDUCATION: A maximum of one course counted for general education may also be used toward the major.
Area A: English Composition (3 unit minimum)
ENGL 100 (4 units)
Area B: Communication and Analytical Thinking
(3 unit minimum)
_______BIO 180
_______BTEC 180
COMM 101, 106, 207, 212
ENGL 201, 202
MATH 101, 103, 105-106, 115, 125, 130, 135, 150-155-260
PHIL 100, 130
PSYC 104
READ 100, 120, 130
SOC 104
Area C: Natural Sciences (6 unit minimum)
One course from Life Sciences and one course from Physical Sciences. A lab course (L) must
be taken.
1. Life Sciences
ANTH 101, 101L(L), 190
BIO 101, 101L(L), 102(L), 103, 105, 150(L), 170(L), 172, 172L, 202(L),
204(L), 220(L)
HORT 116(L)
PSYC 260
2. Physical Sciences
ASTR 101, 101L(L), 201
CHEM 100(L), 102(L), 103, 103L(L), 104(L), 108, 110(L)-111(L)
EART 106
GEOG 101, 101L(L), 110
GEOL 101, 101L(L), 120
OCEA 101, 101L(L)
PHSN 101, 106
PHYS 111(L)-112(L), 151(L)-152(L)-253(L)
Area D: Social and Behavioral Science (6 unit minimum)
No more than one course may be selected from a single discipline within this area.
ADM 100, 105
ANTH 102, 103
ASIA 107
CHLD 121
COMM 120, 135, 220
ECON 100, 101, 102
GEOG 102, 104
GERO 101
HIST 100, 101, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110*-111*, 116*-117*, 150, 160, 161*, 165*
PLSC 101, 103, 150
PSYC 100, 101, 103, 121
SOC 101, 102, 103, 105, 110, 120
*NOTE: These courses may be applied to either Area D or the American Institutions and History requirement but not to both.
Area E: Humanities (6 unit minimum)
No more than one course may be selected from a single discipline within this area. In
addition, no more than one performance (P) course may be counted for this requirement.
ART 100(P), 101(P), 103(P), 157, 158, 177, 201, 254, 258, 259, 260, 290
ASIA 105
CHNS 101, 102
COMM 111(P), 215
DNCE 101, 105
DRAM 105(P), 106, 111(P), 120-121, 130(P)
FILM 101, 106, 110
FREN 101, 102, 201, 202
GRMN 101, 102, 201, 202
HIST 103, 104
HUMN 101, 201, 202, 205, 250-251
ITAL 101, 102, 201
JAPN 101, 102, 201, 202
LIT 120, 122, 123, 200, 250-251, 260-261, 270-271
MUS 105, 108, 109, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117-118, 119
PHIL 101, 102, 105, 122, 221
SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202, 203
AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AND HISTORY: Students may complete this requirement in one of the following ways:
1) Complete the course(s) in one of the groups below:
Group I - HIST 110* & 111*
Group II - HIST 116* & 117*
Group III - HIST 141 & 142
Group IV - HIST 145 & 146
Group V - PLSC 102
OR
