Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degrees
These degrees are intended to prepare students to transfer to bachelor degree programs at four-year institutions. The associate in arts degree gives emphasis to those majoring in the arts, humanities and behavioral and social sciences, and the associate in science degree gives emphasis to those majoring in engineering, technology and the sciences, with substantial undergraduate requirements in mathematics and the natural sciences.
Although students awarded associate in arts or associate in science degrees may be accepted as junior-level transfers in baccalaureate degree-granting institutions, not all four-year institutions grant full junior-level status to persons holding associate degrees. Therefore, students should work closely with their advisers and their transfer institutions to assure the best transition to four-year schools.
Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degrees (A.A. and A.S.) include the following categories of requirements:
General education requirements consist of a minimum of 31 college level (numbered 111 or above) credit hours in these areas:
- Communications (9 credit hours)
- Mathematics (3-8 credit hours)
- Laboratory Science (4-8 credit hours)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3-6 credit hours)
- Humanities (3-6 credit hours)
- Creative and Fine Arts (3-6 credit hours)
The combined total of Mathematics and laboratory Science should equal 10 credit hours minimum.
The combined total of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Creative and Fine Arts should equal12 credit hours minimum.
Students must complete additional general education credits in the disciplines of communications (3 credit hours), math or science (3 credit hours), and humanities, social and behavioral science, or creative and fine arts (3 credit hours).
Refer to the General Education Transfer Matrix at www.hed.state.nm.us for specific information about transferable general education courses.
Additional general education degree requirements are mandatory for all SFCC associate degrees and consist of:
- Health and Wellness (1 credit hour)
Program requirements are required courses in or closely related to the major field of study.
Related requirements (if any) consist of courses that the student may choose that are in or closely related to the major field of study.
Approved electives (if any) may consist of courses from the related requirements list or may be other courses that the student and their advisor have determined to be appropriate and applicable to the degree. Taken together, program requirements, related requirements and approved electives may constitute up to 31 credit hours, and the associate degree may consist of up to 72 credit hours.
Associate in Applied Arts and Associate in Applied Science Degrees (A.A.A. and A.A.S.) include the following categories of requirements:
The American Association of Community Colleges’ Board Statement on the Associate Degree (2000) states:
The associate in applied arts or applied science degree programs are designed to lead the individual directly to employment in a specific career. Although the objective of the associate in applied arts or applied science degrees is to enhance employment opportunities, some baccalaureate degree-granting institutions have developed upper-division programs to recognize this degree for transfer of credits. The associate in applied arts or applied science degree programs must be designed to recognize this dual possibility and to encourage students to recognize the long-term career possibilities that continued academic study will create.
General education requirements consist of a minimum of 19 college level (numbered 111 or above) credit hours in the following areas:
- Communications (6 credit hours, ENGL 1110 or ENGL 1210 required)
- Mathematics (3 credit hours)
- Laboratory Science (4 credit hours)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences or Creative and Fine Arts (3 credit hours)
- Humanities (3 credit hours)
Refer to the General Education Transfer Matrix for specific information about transferable general education courses at www.hed.state.nm.us.
Additional general education degree requirements are mandatory for all SFCC associate degrees and consist of:
- Health and Wellness (1 credit hour)
General education requirements for the A.A.A. and A.A.S. need not be chosen from the New Mexico Higher Education Department transfer matrix and therefore are not guaranteed for transfer. However, the “dual possibility” of the degree (i.e., workplace preparation and transfer) makes careful consideration of general education requirements essential.
Certificates
SFCC offers certificates of various lengths and learning levels. Certificates are built on clear learning pathways that are connected to Career and Technical Education-based competencies or they may be designed to apply to two-year degrees.
List of additional general education degree requirements:
Health and Wellness courses
Speak to your advisor for an updated list of classes.
Associate in Arts
A list of current degrees follows. This list may not be complete because program development is ongoing. The Associate in Arts degrees are designed for students who intend to transfer to four-year colleges or universities, with the transfer of credits subject to the policy of the institution to which the student is transferring.
SFCC has a mandatory assessment and placement policy. Students wishing to enroll in English or math or in any course in which an English or math course is a prerequisite must participate in assessment as described here . New students seeking degrees or certificates at SFCC must fulfill the student success course requirement within their first 12 college credit hours or within their first two semesters of enrollment, whichever comes first.
Accounting
American Sign Language
Business Administration
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood Education
Film
Fine Arts
General Studies
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Human Services
Media Arts
Photography
Psychology
Spanish Language
Teacher Education
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