General Catalog 2006-2007

Graduation Requirements

General Graduation Requirements

All students are required to complete the degree and/or certificate requirements as approved by the MCCCD Governing Board. The college reserves the right to make necessary course and program changes in order to meet current educational standards. In addition, students must:

1. be credited in the Office of Admissions and Records with not fewer than: 60 semester credit units in courses numbered 100 or above for the Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degree, Associate in Transfer Partnership degree, and Associate in General Studies degree; 60 semester credit units for the Associate in Applied Science degree; 62 semester credits for the Associate in Business degrees. For specific certificate programs, be credited with not fewer than the minimum total of credit units required for the certificate program.

Students not continuously enrolled, as outlined in the Catalog Under Which a Student Graduates policy, must satisfy current graduation requirements.

2. have earned a minimum of 12 semester credit units toward the degree or certificate at the district college granting the degree or certificate. In cases where the certificate requires fewer than 12 credit units, a minimum of six credit units must be completed at the college awarding the certificate.

3. have filed an application for the degree or certificate with the Office of Admissions and Records on the date determined by the college/center.

Students must apply for graduation from the college where they have successfully completed Block 4 of the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing.

4. have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 at the college granting the degree.
5. have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 in all courses used to fulfill degree requirements

Some specific programs have higher grade requirements. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of these program requirements.

6. have removed, thirty (30) days after the anticipated graduation date, all deficiencies on the record to use those courses toward program completion.
7. have removed any indebtedness to any MCCCD college /center.
8. have paid required degree or certificate application fee.

See fee schedule for charges.

Graduation Grade Point Average
Students must meet all requirements for graduation. Graduation requires a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Some specific programs have higher grade requirements. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of these program requirements. For more information, see the General Graduation Requirements section.

Graduation with Honors
All courses used to fulfill graduation requirements, including courses from other accredited institutions, will be entered in the grade point average calculation for honors designations.

Students who have the following grade point averages will graduate with the following distinctions:

3.50 to 3.69 "with distinction"
3.70 to 3.89 "with high distinction"
3.90 to 4.0 "with highest distinction"

CERTIFICATES/DEGREES

The Maricopa Community Colleges offer Certificates of Completion as well as Associate Degrees, one of which is conferred on each student who has completed a program of study. These certificates and degrees are as follows:

(1) Certificate of Completion (Career Program Specified);
(2) Academic Certificate;
(3) General Education Certificate;
(4) Associate in Arts;
(5) Associate in Science;
(6) Associate in Business;
(7) Associate in General Studies;
(8) Associate in Transfer Partnership; and
(9) Associate in Applied Science (Career Program Specified).

All candidates for a degree and/or certificate must complete the General Graduation Requirements as approved by the MCCCD Governing Board.

All students are urged to meet with a faculty advisor, program advisor or counselor as soon as possible to determine which program meets their needs and to plan their course of study.

GRADUATE GUARANTEE POLICY

The Governing Board believes so strongly in the quality of its colleges' occupational training programs that it guarantees graduate competence.

1. Graduation from an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is designed to prepare a person for entry-level employment in a specific career field. A graduate's ability to perform approved program competencies will be judged by employers. Should the employer of a graduate who has earned an AAS Degree find the employee lacking in the technical skills normally expected of an entry-level employee in the specific career field for which that graduate prepared, the District will provide the graduate with up to the equivalent of twelve (12) credit hours of retraining for no additional tuition.
2. Because technical occupations change rapidly, initial employment in an AAS Degree-related field must occur within one year of graduation from the AAS Degree program in question.

Retraining needs to occur as cost effectively as possible. The graduate's employer must present a list of the graduate's skill deficiencies to the appropriate dean at the graduate's alma mater. All retraining will be completed in a reasonable time as agreed to by the employer, the student, and the college.

LICENSURE DISCLAIMER

Maricopa Community Colleges courses and programs prepare students for entry into a variety of professions. Many of these professions require that a person hold an occupational license or certificate in order to work in a particular field. Typically, a person must meet certain legal requirements before obtaining such a license or certificate. These requirements are established by county, state or federal agencies, and often are based on a person's character, or whether the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. It is possible for a student who has obtained a degree or certificate from a community college to be denied the right to work in a particular profession after completing the degree or certificate because of concerns over the student's character or criminal background. Any student preparing to enter a field for which a professional license or certificate is required is strongly advised to consult with the appropriate government agency that issues such credentials. That agency can provide the student complete information about any requirements the law imposes for working in a particular occupation.

MCCCD GENERAL EDUCATION STATEMENT

The general education core of the program of study for an associate degree or a certificate helps students develop a greater understanding of themselves, of their relationship with others, and of the richly diverse world in which they live. The general education experience provides students with opportunities to explore broad areas of commonly held knowledge and prepares them to contribute to society through personal, social, and professional interactions with others. General education fosters students' personal development by opening them to new directions, perspectives, and processes.

Through its general education requirements, the Maricopa County Community College District is committed to helping students develop qualities and skills that will serve them throughout their lives. General education opportunities encourage students to:

• Build self-awareness, self-respect, and self-confidence
• Recognize and respect the beliefs, traditions, abilities, and customs of all people and all cultures
• Consider the local, global, and environmental impacts of personal, professional, and social decisions and actions
• Access, evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and use information wisely
• Communicate effectively personally, socially, and professionally
• Think critically, make informed decisions, solve problems, and implement decisions
• Consider the ethical implications of their choices
• Value the learning process throughout their lives
• Integrate and connect ideas and events in a historical perspective, and see relationships among the past, the present, and the future
• Develop a personal sense of aesthetics
• Use technological resources appropriately and productively
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with others to serve their communities

The general education experience at MCCCD is composed of specific elements across the curriculum designed to provide the learner with essential knowledge and skills:

• Communication
• Arts and Humanities
• Numeracy
• Scientific Inquiry in the Natural and Social Sciences
• Information Literacy
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
• Cultural Diversity

General Education Designations (example: (FYC), [SB], [HU], etc.)

Effective Fall 2000 the course evaluation and/or general education designation as listed in the Arizona CEG (Course Equivalency Guide) within the Arizona Course Applicability System (AZCAS) is valid for the term in which the student is awarded credit on the transcript. A course evaluation and/or general education designation may be subject to change. Given that curriculum is dynamic at both MCCCD and the institutions to which MCCCD students transfer, students have the option to petition for general education evaluations and/or general education designations.

The college reserves the right to make necessary course and program changes in order to meet current educational standards.

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