Allan Hancock College
Graduation Requirements for an Associate Degree
Catalog » Current Catalog » Graduation » Graduation Requirements for an Associate Degree

View Print/PDF

Graduation Requirements for an Associate Degree

Allan Hancock College offers four types of associate degrees:

  1. Associate in Arts (AA)
  2. Associate in Science (AS) degrees
  3. Associate in Arts for transfer (AA-T)*
  4. Associate in Science for transfer (AS-T) degrees*

*See the section for Graduation Requirements for the Associate Degree for Transfer for specific requirements

AA and AS Degrees

The associate in arts (AA) degree is designed for the student desiring a lower-division preparation experience in order to transfer to a four-year public or private university or college. The associate in science (AS) degree is designed for the occupationally-oriented student and provides training within specific occupational areas. In some areas of study, the associate in science (AS) degree may also provide lower- division preparation experience for transfer to a four-year university or college.

The associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees require the completion of all Hancock graduation requirements and specified major degree requirements. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution and desire an associate degree (AA or AS), but who are not completing an associate degree for transfer (AA-T or AS-T) will also have to complete all the Hancock graduation requirements and specific major degree requirements. Transfer students should refer to the “Transfer Information” section in this catalog.

All students who desire the associate in arts (AA) or associate in science (AS) degree and have satisfied the graduation requirements listed below must apply for the appropriate associate degree even though they may be planning to transfer to a four-year institution.

NOTE: The deadline to apply for an associate degree is published on Hancock's website in the “At a Glance Class Schedule.”

Requirements:

  1. A MINIMUM OF 60 UNITS have been completed satisfactorily.
    • A maximum of 12 units of workshop and no more than 16 units of “P” (pass/no pass) graded courses can be applied toward an AA/AS degree.
    • Only 100 and 300 level courses will apply to the AA or AS.

  2. A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.00 or better has been earned for all college work attempted.

  3. AN APPLICATION has been filed in the Admissions and Records office by the published deadline. 

  4. A MINIMUM OF 12 UNITS toward the degree have been completed at Allan Hancock College (Title 5, Section 55063).

  5. COMPLETION OF REQUIRED COURSEWORK
    • AHC Graduation Requirements (6.5 units)
    • AHC General Education Requirements (27 units)
    • Major Requirements (minimum 18 units)

AHC Graduation Requirements

Health and Wellness (3.5 units)

The purpose of the Health and Wellness graduation requirement is to promote awareness and understanding of the significance/importance of the lifelong-process of actively increasing the quality of one’s decision making such that it leads towards a more positive, comprehensive state of well-being, beyond a state of merely being free from illness, injury, and/or disease. (Not required for Associate in Art for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degrees.)

Two courses required. Select one course from each of the following areas:

 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:

    • Dance (any activity course)
    • Physical Education (any activity course)

 Exemption is allowed for the physical activity area for a disability. Students must file a “Request for Course Substitution or Waiver” form

HEALTH EDUCATION or FIRST AID SAFETY:

    • Early Childhood Studies 102
    • Emergency Medical Services 102
    • Environmental Technology 101
    • Food, Science and Nutrition 109
    • Health Education 100
    • Human Services 126
    • Personal Development 101

 OR, complete one of the following courses:

    • Law Enforcement 320
    • Emergency Medical Services 301
    • Fire Technology 307
    • Nursing 103, 108, 318, 328 & 338.
Multicultural & Gender Studies (3 Units)

The purpose of the Multicultural/Gender Studies graduation requirement is to promote students’ awareness, understanding, and appreciation of, and respect for underrepresented groups and ethnic minorities. Courses that are designated as fulfilling this requirement are designed to help students link their personal experiences and their education to broader cultural perspectives, to expand their awareness of their own cultural heritage, and to encourage in them the skills of cultural competence which can foster the meaningful communication and connection needed in global heterogeneous societies. (Not required for Associate in Art for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) programs).

Courses that meet all or part the Multicultural/Gender Studies Requirement:

    • Administration of Justice 105
    • Anthropology 102, 103, 105, 107
    • Art 101, 105, 106, 109, 170
    • Business 107, 141
    • Communication Studies 110
    • Dance 101, 147
    • Drama 103
    • Early Childhood Studies 102, 116, 117, 123
    • Economics 141
    • English 105, 130, 131, 139, 140, 148, 150, 151, 152, 153
    • Ethnic Studies 101, 105, 107, 121, 122, 150,151, 152, 153
    • Family and Consumer Sciences 131
    • Fashion 104, 105
    • Film 101, 102, 103, 107, 122
    • Food Science and Nutrition 134
    • Geography 102, 103
    • Global Studies 101, 141
    • History 101, 102, 103, 120, 121
    • Human Services 107, 113
    • Humanities 101, 102, 103
    • LGBT 101, 102
    • Music 104, 106
    • Philosophy 121
    • Political Science 104, 105
    • Sociology 101, 102, 110, 120, 122
    • Spanish 102, 103, 104, 105, 112

Major Requirements

A MINIMUM of 18 UNITS must be completed in an AA or AS degree major.
See the degree sheets in Counseling or consult the appropriate page in this catalog for specific degree requirements. A grade of "C" or better or “P” grade if taken on a pass/no pass basis, is necessary in each course used to complete the major.

 

General Education Requirements

A MINIMUM OF 27 SEMESTER UNITS OF GENERAL EDUCATION have been completed, three units in each of the areas listed (Not required for Associate in Art for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees.)

General education is a pattern of courses designed to develop in students a breadth of knowledge and allow students to gain command of subject areas and methods of inquiry that characterize the liberally educated person. Through general education, students expand their understanding of the physical world and the complex interrelationships of individuals and groups within their social environments; understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; deepen appreciation of their artistic and cultural heritage, and become aware of other cultures and times; strengthen their ability to communicate, reason, and critically evaluate information both orally and in writing; acquire a positive attitude toward learning, and develop self-understanding. As a result, they are better able to recognize, understand, and act upon the complex personal, social, scientific, and political issues that confront them.

Students are permitted to use the same course to satisfy general education, major, and/or graduation requirements.  Students are not permitted to use the same course to fulfill more than one GE category.

NOTE: Students with a bachelor’s degree meet AHC graduation and general education requirements.

 

Area 1A English Composition (3 units)         

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. communicate effectively in many different situations involving diverse people and viewpoints.
  2. listen actively and analyze the substance of others’ comments.
  3. read effectively and analytically.
  4. find and evaluate information by selecting and using appropriate research methods and tools.

A grade of C or higher is required in one of the following courses:

    • English 100
    • English 101 
Area 1B Oral Communication and Critical Thinking (3 units)

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. think logically and critically in solving problems; explaining conclusions; and evaluating, supporting, or critiquing the thinking of others.
  2. communicate in an understandable and organized fashion to explain their ideas, express their feelings, or support conclusions.

 Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Communication Studies 100, 101, 102, 106
    • English 103, 104
    • Philosophy 112, 114
Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. identify and analyze real or potential problems and develop, evaluate, and test possible solutions and hypotheses.

    Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Mathematics 100, 105, 121, 123, 131, 135, 141, 181, 182, 183, 184
Area 3 Arts and Humanities (3 units)                                                        

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. communicate effectively in many different situations involving diverse people and viewpoints.
  2. understand and build upon complex issues and discover the connections and correlations among ideas to advance toward a valid independent conclusion.
  3. apply their knowledge and skills to new and varied situations.
  4. find and evaluate information by selecting and using appropriate research methods and tools.
  5. produce or respond to artistic and creative expression. 

     Courses that meet this requirement:

    • American Sign Language 138
    • Art 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 170
    • Communication Studies 108
    • Dance 101, 110, 120, 130, 147
    • Drama 103, 110, 111
    • Early Childhood Studies 116, 123
    • English 102, 106, 117, 118, 119, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 138,139, 140, 144, 145, 146, 148, 180
    • Ethnic Studies 105, 120, 122
    • Fashion 104, 105
    • Film 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 122
    • French 101, 102
    • Graphics 127
    • History 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120, 138
    • Humanities 101, 102, 103, 104, 105
    • Library 180
    • Multimedia Arts and Communication 101
    • Music 100, 101, 102, 104, 106
    • Philosophy 101, 102, 105, 121, 122
    • Photo 110
    • Spanish 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Area 4A Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)                         

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. understand and build upon complex issues and discover the connections and correlations among ideas to advance toward a valid independent conclusion.
  2. identify and analyze real or potential problems and develop, evaluate, and test possible solutions and hypotheses using the scientific method where appropriate.
  3. find and evaluate information by selection and using appropriate research methods and tools.
  4. develop individual responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for diverse people and culture.
  5. understand ethical issues that will enhance their capacity for making sound judgments and decisions. 

      Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Administration of Justice 101, 103, 115
    • Anthropology 102, 103, 105, 107
    • Business 121, 141
    • Communications Studies 100, 110
    • Early Childhood Studies 100, 101
    • Economics 101, 102, 121, 141
    • English 105, 150, 151,152, 153
    • Ethnic Studies 101, 107, 150, 151,152, 153
    • Geography 102, 103, 105
    • Global Studies 141
    • Graphics 127
    • LGBT 101, 102
    • Physical Education 128
    • Political Science 101, 104, 105, 110
    • Psychology 101, 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121
    • Sociology 101, 102, 104, 120, 122, 155, 160
Area 4B United States History and Government (3 units)

Students completing courses in this area will also:

  1. take personal responsibility for being informed, ethical and active citizens of their community, their nation, and their world.

      Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Ethnic Studies 121
    • History 107, 108, 118, 119, 121
    • Political Science 101, 103
Area 5 Natural Sciences (3 units)                                                   

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. understand and build upon complex issues and discover the connections and correlations among ideas to advance toward a valid independent conclusion.
  2. identify and analyze real or potential problems and develop, evaluate, and test possible solutions and hypothesis using the scientific method where appropriate.
  3. formulate ideas and concepts in addition to using those of others.
  4. use college-level mathematical concepts and methods, where appropriate, to understand, analyze, and explain issues in quantitative forms.
  5. apply their knowledge and skills to new and varied situations.

     Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Anthropology 101, 110 (when taken in conjunction with 101)
    • Astronomy 100
    • Biology 100, 120, 124, 132
    • Chemistry 110, 120
    • Environmental Technology 101
    • Food Science and Nutrition 110
    • Geography 101, 115
    • Geology 100, 111, 114, 115, 131, 141
    • Physical Science 111, 112
    • Physics 100
    • Viticulture and Enology 102
Area 6 Ethnic Studies (3 units)

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. be able to analyze, distinguish and explain the culturally centered worldviews, philosophies, intellectual traditions, and lived experiences in the United States of people of color from one or more of the following groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, Indigenous Native Americans and/or Latina/o/x.

        Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Anthropology 107
    • English 150, 151, 152, 153
    • Ethnic Studies 101, 105, 107, *120, *121, 122, 150, 151, 152, 153
    • Fashion 105                                     
    • Film 122
    • History *120, *121                                                                  
    • Sociology 120    

            *Also fulfill the CSU GE Area F and IGETC Area 7 courses

Area 7 Living Skills (3 units)

Students completing courses in this area will:

  1. exhibit habits of intellectual exploration, personal responsibility, and well-being.
  2. work with diverse people including those with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and different physical abilities.
  3. interact with individuals and within groups with integrity and awareness of others’ opinions, feelings, and values.
  4. participate effectively in teams to make decisions and seek consensus.

   Courses that meet this requirement:

    • Administration of Justice 105                                                                                                    
    • Business 130                   
    • Communications Studies 103
    • Culinary Arts 120
    • Early Childhood Studies 102, 114
    • Economics 130
    • Emergency Medical Services 102
    • Family and Consumer Sciences 120, 130, 131
    • Food Science and Nutrition 109, 112
    • Health Education 100
    • Human Services 106, 110
    • Leadership 111
    • Personal Development 100, 101, 102
    • Psychology 106, 112, 113, 118
    • Sociology 106, 110