Chapter Three: Instruction and Instructional Programs
AR 3020
(League AP 4020)
General Curriculum
Transfer
The college shall offer courses and programs fulfilling requirements for admission to
advanced standing in the University of California, California State University system, and
many other public and private four-year institutions.
Career Technical Education
The college shall strive to offer each student in a Career Technical Education program the
opportunity to acquire the required job skills that will lead to employment. A student
planning to enter an occupation or desiring to upgrade job skills shall enroll in one of the
occupational curricula as described in the college catalog.
General Education
The college shall offer general education courses designed to give breadth and coherence to
the student’s educational experience. General Education is that part of a student’s
educational program which encompasses the common knowledge, appreciations, attitudes
and skills needed to become effective as an educated person in our society. Thus, general
education is complementary to, but different in emphasis and design from, specialized
training for a job, for a profession, or for advanced study in a specific field of knowledge.
Basic Skills
The college shall offer remediation necessary for student success and retention. Basic skills
courses shall be designed for students who are nearly college ready but exhibit skill
deficiencies more than one level below freshman level English and/or math or reading skill.
Developmental Studies
The college shall offer courses designed to serve students with specific disabilities in order
to assist them in succeeding in programs of study offered by the college. Placement in these
classes shall be preceded by individual diagnostic testing and an Individual Education Plan
shall be developed for each student.
Noncredit
The college may offer noncredit classes in subject areas that qualify for state funding and
meet the requirements of Title 5 of the California Administrative Code. Courses may
provide instruction in the following areas:
1. Parenting
2. Elementary and secondary basic skills
3. English as a second language
4. Citizenship for immigrants
5. Education programs for substantially handicapped persons
6. Short-term vocational programs with high employment potential
7. Home economics
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Chapter Three: Instruction and Instructional Programs
8. Health and Safety
9. Courses for older adults
Course Numbering System 1-99
Courses numbered 1 through 99 are baccalaureate level courses, carrying lower division
credit at four-year colleges and universities. Courses numbered 1-99 will meet the title 5
course classification standards for credit, degree applicable courses. “Baccalaureate
applicable” courses in the 1 through 99 series meet the following criteria:
1. The course is parallel to a lower division course offered at a California State
University or University of California campus, or taught at the baccalaureate
level at a minimum of three other California community colleges;
2. The course has procedural rigor and treats subject matter at a university level.
The transfer status of courses will be indicated following the course description in the
college catalog and the schedule of classes in one of the following ways:
1. Transfer credit: CSU
2. Transfer credit: CSU; UC
3. Transfer credit: CSU, UC with limitations: (each limitation is stipulated in
detail in both the catalog and schedule).
4. Transfer credit: CSU, UC with conditions: (each condition is stipulated in
both the catalog and schedule).
5. Transfer credit CSU: UC pending review.
B.
100-199
Courses numbered 100 though 199 are intended as associate degree level courses.
Some CTE courses may transfer to four-year schools in certain occupational curricula.
These courses meet the Title 5 course classification standards for credit, degree applicable
courses.
C.
200-299
Courses numbered 200 through 299 are nontransferable and are not intended as associate
degree level courses. These courses will meet the Title 5 course classification standards for
credit, non-degree applicable courses. These courses will not count in calculating the degree
applicable GPA.
D.
500-599
Courses numbered 500-599 are noncredit courses. These courses will meet the Title 5
course classification standards for noncredit courses and are in the nine allowable areas of
instruction.
Credit Hours
Title 5, section 55002.5, establishes the minimum expected time on task (lecture, study,
and/or lab work) that is necessary to award one unit of credit. A minimum of 48 hours on
the semester system of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit
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Chapter Three: Instruction and Instructional Programs
regardless of term length. In practice, the number of hours varies among courses but is
generally within the range of 48-54 hours per unit. For each hour of lecture, it is assumed
that students will be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class.
The number of units awarded for laboratory courses is generally based on the number of
hours of laboratory work, presuming that students complete most required work in class.
For lab units, it has not traditionally been expected that the student will study outside the
classroom. Therefore, the number of units granted is generally based entirely on the
number of hours performed on campus under the immediate supervision and control of a
qualified academic employee. For example, 54 hours of chemistry laboratory (three
hours per week over 18-weeks) would grant one semester unit of credit, whereas 54 hours
of chemistry lecture would grant three units.
The following examples apply to semester units:
Lecture or Lab Only Courses
* One-unit lecture course = 18 hours in-class lecture plus 36 hours out-of-class study
* One-unit laboratory course = 54 hours in-class laboratory
Lecture and Lab Combined
* Three units (2 units of lecture and 1 unit of lab) = 36 hours in-class lecture, 54 hours
in-class laboratory, plus 72 hours out-of-class study
The college may award one unit of lab credit for only two hours per week of hands-on
computer instruction or other activity course, as long as the instructor assigns one hour
per week of out-of-class study.
Legal References:
Title 5 Sections 511021, 55000 et seq., and 55100 et seq.;
Accreditation Standards II.A;
US Department of Education and regulations on the Integrity of Federal Student Financial
Aid Programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
Adopted: January 13, 1992
Revised: May 9, 2013
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