REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Administrative Policy
AP 4100
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
The District grants the degrees of Associate in Arts or Associate in Science to those students who
have completed the following requirements:
Units
• At least 60 semester units of college work. “College work” is defined as work that has
been properly approved as acceptable toward the associate degree pursuant to Title 5
Section 55002(a), or, if completed at other than a California community college, would
reasonably be expected to meet the standards of that section.
• At least 18 semester units in General Education from each of the five defined GE areas
Natural Science; Social Science; Humanities; Language, Communication, and
Rationality; Multicultural Understanding.
o Area A: Natural Science
at least three (3) units
o Area B: Social Science
at least three (3) units
o Area C: Humanities
at least three (3) units
o Area D1: Writing
at least three (3) units
o Area D2: Oral Communication
at least three (3) units
o Area D3: Analytical Thinking
at least three (3) units
At least one of the above courses must also satisfy Area E: Multicultural Understanding.
Alternatively, students can satisfy CSU or UC GE requirements.
• At least 18 semester units in a major that corresponds to one or more instructional
programs listed in the California Community College “Taxonomy of Programs.”
Minimum GPA
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at College of the Redwoods and a
grade of C or higher in each course required for the degree, except for unrestricted
electives.
Residency
• At least 15 semester units, and a minimum of 12 of the required units in the major field of
study at College of the Redwoods (exceptions to the residence requirement can be made
by the Office of Admissions and Records when an injustice or undue hardship would
result).
Multicultural Understanding must be offered.
District policies and procedures regarding general education and degree requirements are
published in the School.
For a certificate of achievement, a student must successfully complete a course of study or
curriculum that consists of 18 or more semester units of degree-applicable credit coursework, 12
or more semester units for “Low Unit” certificates. The certificate of achievement shall be
designed to demonstrate that the student has completed coursework and developed capabilities
relating to career or general education.
Shorter credit programs that lead to a certificate may be established by the District.
Content and assessment standards for certificates shall ensure that certificate programs are
consistent with the mission of the college, meet a demonstrated need, are feasible, and adhere to
guidelines on academic achievement.
Certificates for which California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office approval is not
sought may be given any name or designation deemed appropriate except for certificate of
achievement, certificate of completion, or certificate of competency.
References:
Title 5 Sections 55060 et seq.
New Policy 10/23/15
REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
AP 4100
Board Policy
Graduation Requirements for Degrees and Certificates
For the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, a student must demonstrate competence
in reading, in written expression, and in mathematics.
The student must satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units of college work.
A definition of “college work” that provides that courses acceptable toward the associate degree
include those that have been properly approved pursuant to Title 5 Section 55002(a), or, if
completed at other than a California community college, would reasonably be expected to meet
the standards of that section.
The work must include at least 18 semester units in general education and at least 18 semester
units in a major listed in the Community Colleges “Taxonomy of Programs.”
The work must include at least 12 15 semester units of study in residence, with 12 of those
semester units occurring in the major or Area of Emphasis; exceptions to the residence
requirement can be made by the Office of Admissions and Records when an injustice or undue
hardship would result.
The general education requirements must include a minimum of work in the natural sciences, the
social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and language and rationality.
Ethnic studies Multicultural Understanding must be offered.
District policies and procedures regarding general education and degree requirements are
published in the School.
For a certificate of achievement, a student must successfully complete a course of study or
curriculum that consists of 18 or more semester units of degree-applicable credit coursework, 12
or more semester units for “Low Unit” certificates. The certificate of achievement shall be
designed to demonstrate that the student has completed coursework and developed capabilities
relating to career or general education.
Shorter credit programs that lead to a certificate may be established by the District.
Content and assessment standards for certificates shall ensure that certificate programs are
consistent with the mission of the college, meet a demonstrated need, are feasible, and adhere to
guidelines on academic achievement.
Certificates for which California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office approval is not
sought may be given any name or designation deemed appropriate except for certificate of
achievement, certificate of completion, or certificate of competency.
References: Title 5 Sections 55060 et seq.
New policy