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Graduation Requirements for an Associate Degree

Allan Hancock College offers four types of associate degrees. In addition to the associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees, as of fall 2011, Allan Hancock College offers associate in arts for transfer (AA-T) and associate in science for transfer (AS-T) degrees. (See the section for Graduation Requirements for the Associate Degree for Transfer following this section). 

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 Allan Hancock College 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 Allan Hancock College 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 Allan Hancock College’s website in the “At a Glance Class Schedule.”

An associate in arts and/or associate in science degree will be awarded when the following requirements have been met:

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 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 2.0 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. A MINIMUM OF 2 COURSES IN 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.)
   
   Select one course from each of the following areas:
   
   PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
   Dance (any activity course)
   Physical Education (any activity course)
   
   HEALTH EDUCATION or FIRST AID SAFETY:
   Early Childhood Studies 102
   Emergency Medical Services 102
   Food, Science and Nutrition 109
   Health Education 100
   Human Services 126
   Completion of the following academy and nursing courses will fulfill the Health and Wellness requirement:
   
   Law Enforcement 320, Emergency Medical Services 301, Fire Technology 307, Nursing 103, 108, 318, 328 & 338.
   
   Exemption is allowed for the physical activity area for a disability.
   
   Students must file a “Request for Course Substitution or Waiver” form
   
   
6. COMPETENCY IN READING, IN WRITTEN EXPRESSION, AND IN MATHEMATICS has been demonstrated.
   
   Students will demonstrate competence in reading by completing the general education requirements (below). 
   
   Students will demonstrate competence in written expression by completing English 100 (grade C or higher) or English 101 (grade C or higher).
   
   NOTE: Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should demonstrate competence in written expression by completing English 101 rather than English 100.
   
   Students will demonstrate competence in mathematics by meeting any one of the following standards:
   
   

   A. Pass one of the following courses with a grade C or better:

any 100 - level math course of at least 3 units

Math 309, Math 321, or Math 331,(Note: these courses will no longer be offered after summer 2022).

B. Successful completion of Algebra 2 or higher at an accredited collegiate institution.

C. A score of 3 or higher on AP Statistics or any of the AP Calculus exams.  

7. A MINIMUM OF THREE UNITS IN MULTICULTURAL/GENDER STUDIES have been completed. (Not required for Associate in Art for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) programs).

The purpose of the Multicultural/Gender Studies graduation requirement is to promote our students’ awareness about, their understanding and appreciation of, and their 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.

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
Dance 101
Drama 103
Early Childhood Studies 116, 117, 123
Economics 141
English 105, 130, 131, 139, 140, 148
Ethnic Studies 107, 121
Family and Consumer Sciences 131
Fashion 104
Film 101, 102, 103, 107
Food Science and Nutrition 134
Geography 102, 103
Global Studies 101, 141
History 101, 102, 103, 120
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
Speech 110

8. MAJOR: A MINIMUM of 18 UNITS has been 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.

9. AHC GENERAL EDUCATION CATEGORIES: A MINIMUM OF 21 SEMESTER UNITS OF GENERAL EDUCATION have been completed, three units in each of the categories 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 up to six (6) units to satisfy both GE and major requirements thus receiving subject credit in the major and having to select 18 or 15 units of general education from the five GE categories.

CATEGORY 1, NATURAL SCIENCES (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

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

Agribusiness 102
Anthropology 101, 110 (when taken in conjunction with 101)
Astronomy 100
Biology 100, 120, 124, 132
Chemistry 110, 120
Food Science and Nutrition 110
Geography 101, 115
Geology 100, 111, 114, 131, 141
Physical Science 111, 112
Physics 100

CATEGORY 2, HUMAN INSTITUTIONS (6 units)

A. Social Science (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

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

Political Science 101, 104, 105
Psychology 101, 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121
Sociology 101, 102, 104, 120, 122, 155, 160
Speech 110

B. American History or Government (3 units)

In addition to those listed in Category 2A students completing courses in this category will also:

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

CATEGORY 3, HUMANITIES (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

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

Film 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110
French 101, 102
History 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120, 138
Humanities 101, 102, 103, 104, 105
Multimedia Arts and Communication 101, 102
Music 100, 101, 102, 104, 106
Philosophy 101, 102, 105, 121, 122
Photo 110
Spanish 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Speech 108

CATEGORY 4, LANGUAGE AND RATIONALITY (6 units)

A. Written Composition (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

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

English 100 (grade C or higher) or English 101 (grade C or higher)

B. Communication and Analytical Thinking (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

• • think logically and critically in solving problems; explaining conclusions; and evaluating, supporting, or critiquing the thinking of others.
  • identify and analyze real or potential problems and develop, evaluate, and test possible solutions and hypotheses.
  • communicate in an understandable and organized fashion to explain their ideas, express their feelings, or support conclusions.

Computer Business Information Systems 101, 112
Computer Science 102, 111
English 103, 104
Math 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321
Philosophy 112, 114
Speech 101, 102, 106

CATEGORY 5, LIVING SKILLS (3 units)

Students completing courses in this category will:

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

Business 130
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
Learning Skills 101
Personal Development 100, 101, 102
Psychology 106, 112, 113, 118
Sociology 106, 110
Speech 103