3-4: Associate In Applied Arts and Associate In Applied Science Degree Requirements – Policy

Policy Overview

This policy defines Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC or College) Associate in Applied Arts and Associate in Applied Science degree requirements 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 Applied Arts or Associate in Applied 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. College-level Courses are numbered 1110 and above. They meet accepted standards of postsecondary academic rigor.
2. 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).
3. Developmental Courses are those numbered below 1110 and are intended to develop college-level academic skills.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Program Requirements are mandatory courses in, or closely related to, the student’s major field of study at SFCC.
7. 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.

Policy Process

1. The Associate in Applied Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees shall be able to be completed in 60 credits 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 Applied Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees 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.
      1. The catalog that is in effect on the date that a student declares their major determines which degree or certificate requirements apply.
      2. 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 15 credit hours of 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 any remaining degree requirements, which may 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 12 credit hours of courses shall be from four of the following six content areas: Communications, Mathematics, Science, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities, and Creative and Fine Arts.
   2. In addition, three 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 degree requirement 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 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