| TYPES OF DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
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Northern Virginia Community College offers two-year associate
degrees, one-year certificates, and short career studies certificates.
The requirements for these awards for completion of curricula
are determined by the College faculty and are intended to meet
the requirements specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and certain specialized
accrediting agencies.
Terminology. Unless otherwise noted, the term program refers
to an associate degree with its own curriculum code and all
related specializations, certificates,
and career studies certificates. The Virginia Community College System defines
a major as a stipulated number of courses within a degree program. A degree
program is a planned curriculum of at least 60 semester credit hours. A specialization is an option that varies from the parent degree's curriculum by 9-15 credits.
A certificate is awarded for the completion of an approved non-degree curriculum
consisting of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in an occupational area.
A career studies certificate is awarded for the completion of an approved
non-degree curriculum that is less than 30 semester credit
hours in length.
Associate in Applied Arts Degree (A.A.A.)
Awarded for completion of two-year curricula that are primarily
designed to prepare a student for employment in jobs in fine
arts, music, and photography. This varies by institution. These
curricula are not designed for transfer to a four-year college
or university. However, in some limited cases, the A.A.A. degree
or selected occupational courses may transfer, and there may
be articulation arrangements with four-year colleges as part
of a special program.
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Awarded for completion of two-year curricula that are designed
to prepare the student for employment in a technical field
immediately following graduation. In some A.A.S. degree programs
one or more summer terms may be required. These curricula are
not designed for transfer to a four-year college or university.
However, in some limited cases, occupational courses may transfer,
and there may be articulation arrangements with four-year colleges
as part of a special program.
Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.)
Awarded for the completion of two-year curricula in fine arts,
liberal arts, and music. The A.A. degree is designed for those
who plan to transfer to a four-year, degree-granting institution
for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.
Associate in Science Degree (A.S.)
Awarded for the completion of two-year curricula in a variety
of pre-professional programs. The A.S. degree is designed for
those who plan to transfer to a four-year, degree-granting
institution for the completion of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
degree.
Certificate (C.)
Awarded for the completion of various one-year occupational/technical
curricula totaling between 30 and 46 credits, at least 15%
of the credits must be in general education. This must include
at least 3 semester credits of English (ENG) and at least 1
semester credit for a Student Development (STD) course.
Most certificates prepare the student for a specific job or
aspect of a job. Some certificates are part of an associate
degree program,
in which case the credit earned in the certificate may be used
toward the degree. These curricula are not designed for transfer
to a four-year college or university. However, in some limited
cases, occupational courses may transfer, and there may be
articulation arrangements with four-year colleges as part
of a special program.
Career Studies Certificate (C.S.C.)
Awarded for a specific group of career-related courses totaling
between 9 and 29 credits, each certificate must include at
least 3 semester hours of ENG or speech (SPD). The career studies
programs are designed for enhancement of job/life skills, retraining
for career change, and/or investigating new career possibilities.
Some credit earned in a career studies certificate curriculum
may be used to meet the requirements in other certificates
and degrees that require similar courses.
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