Types of Degrees and Credentials
Associate of Arts (AA)
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university. The AA degree has a liberal arts focus and requires successful completion of 60 credit hours of coursework (including 28 hours of general education courses) and a cumulative grade point average of “C” or better.
Associate of Science (AS)
An Associate of Science (AS) degree is a degree designed to transfer to a four-year college or university. The AS degree has a science and math focus and requires successful completion of 60 credit hours of coursework (including 29 hours of general education courses) and a cumulative grade point average of “C” or better.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a career and technical degree designed to be completed in two years to prepare students for entry into the workforce. The AAS degree requires successful completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework (including 15 hours of general education courses) and a cumulative grade point average of “C” or better.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year career and technical degree designed to prepare students to be a Registered Nurse (RN). ADN graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses), which is required to obtain an RN licensure. The ADN requires 72 credit hours of coursework (including 27 hours of general education courses with a “C” or better) and a “B” or better course grade and test average of at least an 80% in all Nursing (NURS) courses.
Diploma
A Diploma is a career and technical credential designed to be completed in one year to provide students with specific employment skills in a chosen field. Courses taken in a Diploma program may ladder into an associate of applied science degree. The Diploma requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and a cumulative grade point average of “C” or better.
Certificate
A Certificate is a short-term career and technical credential that concentrates on specific employment skills in a chosen field. Courses taken to complete a Certificate may ladder into a Diploma or Associate degree. A Certificate requires a minimum of 16 credit hours and with a “C” or above.
Career or Workforce Training
Training opportunities are flexible, short-term, and hands-on. Opportunities are available to strengthen a current skillset, upskill or learn new skills, gain industry recognized certifications, or complete continuing education requirements. This includes certification and licensure preparation.
Recreational Classes
Recreational classes are personal enrichment classes designed to provide skills or knowledge to be used in an activity or hobby done for enjoyment, typically outside of one's regular work or profession.
Adult Education
Adult Education are courses that focus on quality English language acquisition, adult basic skills improvement and high school equivalency credentialing that promote opportunities to transition to postsecondary education, job training opportunities, and life-long careers.
