3-3: Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree Requirements – Policy

Policy Overview

This policy defines Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC or College) requirements for the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science degrees and establishes the process and outlines the criteria for earning these degrees.

Scope and Applicability

This policy shall meet state requirements and applies to all students who seek an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree at SFCC.

Policy Statement

This policy and accompanying documents are designed to serve the best interests of SFCC students by providing a clearly defined pathway to degree completion.

Definitions

1. Associate in Arts Degree (A.A) is a transfer degree program designed for students majoring in such areas as the arts, business, humanities, social sciences, education and general studies.
2. Associate in Sciences (A.S.) degree is a transfer degree program designed for students majoring in such areas as the physical or natural sciences, engineering and technology, and computer science.
3. College-level Courses are numbered 1110 and above. They meet accepted standards of postsecondary academic rigor.
4. Credit Hours are awarded in terms of semester credit. Each semester hour of credit in a lecture class requires a minimum of 750 minutes of instruction per semester; each semester hour of credit in a laboratory class requires a minimum of 1,500 minutes of instruction per semester (SFCC Policy 3-1 Audit of Credit Courses).
5. Developmental Courses are those numbered below 1110 and are intended to develop college-level academic skills.
6. Essential Skill refers to the defining characteristic of a New Mexico general education course, its focus on essential skills: communication, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, information and digital literacy, and personal and social responsibility.
7. General Education Courses are intended to develop the skills essential for lifelong learning and success in the workplace, including communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, personal and social responsibility, and information and digital literacy.
8. Related requirements consist of required courses from a list published in the SFCC Catalog or any other courses that a representative of the department awarding the degree determines to be appropriate and applicable to the degree.
9. Transfer Degree Programs (also known as university-parallel programs) are two-year degrees designed for students intending to transfer to upper-division baccalaureate programs. Transfer degree programs are intended to parallel the first two years of study at four-year institutions.

Policy Process

1. The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees shall be able to be completed in a of 60 credit hours unless additional credits are necessary to meet the requirements of external accreditation or to enable graduates to transfer with junior status.
2. Applicants for the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree must do the following:
   1. Satisfy all conditions for admission to the College and to the degree program, where required.
   2. Complete the required course of study specified in the College catalog for the degree plan that the student has chosen. The catalog that is in effect on the date that a student declares their major determines which degree or certificate requirements apply. The student must either complete these requirements within five years of the date of declaration or elect to meet the requirements of any subsequent catalog published during the five-year period.
   3. Earn an overall cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
   4. Complete at least 31 credit hours of college-level general education courses as required by the specific program of study
   5. Earn a C or better in all courses required for the degree.
   6. Complete one-quarter of the total credit hours for the degree at SFCC.
   7. Complete one-quarter of the program requirements for the degree at SFCC.
   8. Complete the remaining degree requirements, which consist of SFCC program requirements and related requirements as specified in the degree plan.
   9. Meet all financial obligations to the College.
   10. File a petition to graduate.
3. To complete general education requirements, students must complete courses approved for general education by the New Mexico Curriculum and Assessment Committee
   1. At least 22 credit hours of courses shall be from the following six content areas: Communications (6 credits), Mathematics (3 credits), Science (4 credits), Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits), Humanities (3 credits), and Creative and Fine Arts (3 credits).
   2. In addition, nine credits shall be from any of the areas listed above.
4. Some of these credits may be earned through credit for prior learning (SFCC Policy 3-18 Credit for Prior Learning and Prior Learning Assessment).

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility

The President, through the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, shall be responsible for enforcing academic degree policies and procedures. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs shall work with the different departments and offices to comply with this policy and to develop procedures that will enforce this policy regarding awareness, prevention, and remediation. 

Authority

New Mexico Curriculum and Assessment Committee
SFCC Curriculum Committee
SFCC Catalog
SFCC Policy 2-5 Admission of Secondary-School Students
SFCC Policy 2-6 Admission of Transfer Students
SFCC Policy 2-7 Admission of International Students
SFCC Policy 2-20 Admission to Santa Fe Community College
SFCC Policy 3-10 Audit of Credit Courses
SFCC Policy 3-18 Credit for Prior Learning and Prior Learning Assessment

APPROVAL

SFCC Governing Board approved: 2/20/2002
Revised and Governing Board approved: 3/16/2011
Revised and Governing Board approved: 5/26/2011
Revised and Governing Board approved: 12/4/2018
Revised and Governing Board approved: 12/4/2024

Associated Procedures

• Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree Requirements – Procedures