Program Maps and Academic Pathways

Program Maps

Semester-by-semester program maps are available to guide students as they work toward their goals. These maps show the most efficient way for students to complete each degree and certificate plan. Students can access and print these maps from links in each degree and certificate plan in this catalog. Students should use program maps in collaboration with their advisors.

Academic and Career Pathways

SFCC divides all degrees and certificates into seven academic pathways:

• Arts and Communication
• Business
• Health Sciences
• Science and Engineering
• Law and Social Sciences   
• Teacher Education
• Trades and Sustainability

Each pathway features a group of exploratory courses that apply to many of the degrees and certificates in the pathway. Exploratory courses are good options for students interested in a pathway but unsure of their specific major. Information about each pathway is given below.

Students should work with their advisor and use SFCC’s Career Coach platform to help choose the best major or pathway.

Arts and Communication

This pathway is for students who enjoy expressing themselves and communicating with others through words and visuals. Students who are interested in languages and in developing skills as artists, designers, and writers will be drawn to this pathway. It is for people interested in careers in arts, film, media arts, or creative writing.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Arts degrees:

The pathway also includes certificates in these areas:

Math and Communication Requirements 
Math requirements for all degrees in this pathway are fulfilled by MATH 1130 Survey of Mathematics or a higher numbered MATH course. There are no specialized communications requirements for this pathway. 

Exploratory Courses 
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters 
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1 

 
Semester 2    

Business

This pathway is for students who enjoy watching stock prices, problem-solving, and money managing and who are considering careers in finance, ranging from financial advising to auditing, investment banking to accounting. Students who are as independent as they come and who love to collaborate and lead a team might want to study to be an entrepreneur, small business owner, or manager. This pathway is for students who are interested in a career in business, including accounting, and culinary.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees:

• Accounting, A.A.  
• Business Administration, A.A.  
• Business Administration, A.A.S.  
• Culinary Arts, A.A.S.  

The pathway also includes these certificates:

• Accounting Specialist, Certificate  
• Business Administration, Certificate  
• Culinary Arts, Certificate  
• Culinary Fundamentals, Certificate  
• Entrepreneurship, Certificate   
• Patisserie, Certificate  

Math and Communication Requirements
Accounting and Business Administration AA degrees require MATH 1220 College Algebra or higher. Culinary Arts AAS and Business Administration AAS require MATH 1130 Survey of Mathematics. Students should plan their courses so that they can complete the correct math requirements in a timely manner. There are no specialized communications requirements for this pathway.

Exploratory Courses
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1

Semester 2  

Health Sciences

This pathway is for students who are interested in how the human body works and who want to help others stay healthy and recover from illness or injury. This pathway leads to careers ranging from community health workers to massage therapists to nurses. It includes careers students can start after a semester of study and those that require a two-year degree.  

This pathway leads to these Associate of Applied Science degrees:

• Allied Health, A.A.S.  
• Dental Health, A.A.S.  
• Massage Therapy, A.A.S.  
• Medical Assisting, A.A.S.  
• Nursing, A.A.S.  
• Paramedicine, A.A.S.  
• Respiratory Care, A.A.S.  

The pathway also includes these certificates:

Students interested in health sciences should start by considering if they are interested in a degree program or a certificate and work closely with their academic advisor. Most degree programs and some certificates require students to complete prerequisite courses and apply for admission to the program. Consulting with a health sciences advisor helps students to navigate these prerequisites and applications smoothly. Most of these programs also require fingerprinting, background checks, and vaccinations.

Math and Communication Requirements for Health Degree Programs

Allied Health, Dental Health, Exercise Science, Medical Assisting, and Respiratory Care require MATH 1130 or higher. Paramedicine and Nursing require MATH 1220 or 1350. Students should plan their courses so that they can complete the correct math requirements in a timely manner. Nursing requires ENGL 1110 Composition I and ENGL 1120 Composition II. ENGL 1210 Technical Communications is accepted as an option in the AAS Dental Assisting.

Exploratory Courses for Health Degree Programs
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in degree programs in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree plan.  
 

Semester 1

Semester 2

Exploratory Courses for Health Certificate Programs
Students can start most healthcare certificate programs with a few prerequisites. Some programs may require an application. Most of these programs also require fingerprinting, background checks, and vaccinations.

Law and Social Sciences

This pathway is for students who like working with people and helping them solve their life-problems. Whether through the criminal justice system, a human services career, law work as a paralegal, or in the field of psychology, students who want to make a difference in peoples’ lives are drawn to this pathway.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees:

• Criminal Justice, A.A.  
• Criminal Justice, A.A.S.  
• Human Services, A.A.  
• Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.  
• Psychology, A.A.  

The pathway also includes these certificates:

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling, Certificate  
• Law Office Administrative Assistant Certificate  
• Legal Secretary Certificate  
• Paralegal Studies, Certificate  
• Traumatic Stress Aide, Certificate  

Math and Communication Requirements
Math requirements for all degrees in this pathway are fulfilled by MATH 1130 Survey of Mathematics or a higher numbered MATH course (except MATH 1215). There are no specialized communications requirements for this pathway.

Exploratory Courses
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1

Semester 2  

Science and Engineering

This pathway is for students who like to be engaged in solving real-world problems, which can be explored through math, science, computing, and engineering. Through minds-on challenges, students will strengthen critical thinking, enjoy creativity, and develop hands-on skills, while applying math and science theoretical concepts.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees:

• Biological Sciences, A.S.  
• Computer Science, A.S.  
• Engineering Machining Technologies, A.A.S.  
• General Engineering and Engineering Technologies, A.S.  
• Physical Sciences, A.S.  
• Pre-Forestry, A.S.  
• Computer and Information Technologies, A.A.S.  
• Engineering Technologies, A.A.S.  

This pathway also includes these certificates:

• Application Development, Certificate  
• Computer Hardware and Software, Certificate  
• Computer and Network Security, Certificate  
• Electrical, Smart Grid and Micro Grid Technologies, Certificate  
• Engineering Machining Technologies, Certificate  
• General Engineering Technologies, Certificate  
• Information Technology Support for Smart Grids and Micro Grids Certificate  
• Web Development Certificate  

Math and Communication Requirements
All degrees in this pathway require at least MATH 1220 College Algebra, most require MATH 1250 Precalculus, and several require MATH 1430 Applications of Calculus I, or MATH 1510 Calculus I and MATH 1520 Calculus II. Students interested in this pathway should prepare for the placement exam to ensure the highest possible placement in mathematics and prioritize completing math courses as soon as possible.

General Engineering and Engineering Technology (AS) requires ENGL 2210 Technical and Professional Communication. Technical writing skills are useful for graduates in all the degrees in this pathway. Students should consider taking ENGL 2210 which is an option for all degrees in this pathway.

Exploratory Courses
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1

Semester 2  

Teacher Education

This pathway is for students who are interested in becoming the educators and future leaders of tomorrow. Students will learn the historical, theoretical, philosophical, and social foundations of education while developing critical self-reflection skills. Through the application of personal experience to research-based practices, students will develop into culturally and linguistically competent educators and leaders eager to foster change.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Arts degrees:

• Early Childhood Education, A.A.  
• Teacher Education, A.A.  

The pathway also includes these certificates:

• Bilingual Education Endorsement, Certificate  
• Early Childhood (Age 3-Grade 3) Teacher Certification  
• Early Childhood Development, Certificate  
• Elementary Education Teacher Certification (K-8)  
• Secondary Education Teacher Certification (7-12)  
• Special Education Teacher Certification (PK-12)  
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Teacher Endorsement  

Math and Communication Requirements
All degrees in this pathway require MATH 111 Math for Elementary School Teachers I, MATH 112 Math for Elementary School Teachers II, and/or MATH 1220 College Algebra. MATH 1215 Intermediate Algebra is a prerequisite for these courses. Students should plan their courses to complete math requirements in a timely manner.

There are no specialized communications requirements for this pathway.

Exploratory Courses
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1

Semester 2  

Trades and Sustainability

This pathway is for students who enjoy creative problem solving and understanding how things work. Students interested in this pathway like to build things with their hands, fix things, work outside, or are interested in creating sustainable solutions for the environment. Students will get hands-on experience and gain specialized skills training to prepare for jobs in welding, controlled environment agriculture, sustainable technologies, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and automotive technologies.

This pathway leads to these Associate of Applied Science degrees:

• Automotive Technology, A.A.S.  
• Building Science and Construction Technologies, A.A.S.  
• Controlled Environment Agriculture, A.A.S.  
• Welding Technologies, A.A.S.  

The pathway also includes these certificates:

Math and Communication Requirements

Math requirements for all degrees in this pathway are fulfilled by MATH 1130 or a higher numbered MATH course.

ENGL 1210 Technical Communications is accepted in all degrees in this pathway.

Exploratory Courses
Students can take courses from the list below to learn more about the skills they can develop and the projects they will complete in this pathway. 

The First Semesters
Students who are undecided but interested in the degrees in this pathway can follow the plan below for their first semester or two. As soon as students choose a specific major, they should meet with their advisor and start following the program map for their specific degree or certificate plan.  

Semester 1

Semester 2