Areas of Study

Types of Degrees and Certificates 

Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Designed for students planning to transfer to a CSU in a similar major

  • Provides guaranteed admissions to the CSU system but not to a particular campus or major
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 37-39 units of transfer general education courses (IGETC or CSU GE Patterns)
  • Consult a COS counselor for assistance selecting transferable elective courses

Associate in Science Degree for Transfer (AS-T)

Designed for students planning to transfer to a CSU in a similar major

  • Provides guaranteed admissions to the CSU system but not to a particular campus or major
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 37-39 units of transfer general education courses (IGETC or CSU GE Patterns)
  • Consult a COS counselor for assistance selecting transferable elective courses 

Associate of Arts Degree (AAT) 

Designed for transfer to many baccalaureate institutions

  • Course requirements vary between colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to consult ASSIST.org and a COS counselor for program planning and course selection
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 37-39 units of transfer general education courses (IGETC or CSU GE Patterns) 

Associate of Science Degree (AST)

Designed for transfer to many baccalaureate institutions

  • Course requirements vary between colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to consult ASSIST.org and a COS counselor for program planning and course selection.
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 37-39 units of transfer general education courses (IGETC or CSU GE Patterns) 

Associate of Arts Degree (AA)

Designed to prepare students for employment

  • This degree is not designed for transfer; however, the courses included in this degree may be transferable and may apply to other degrees designed for transfer
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 19 units of associate degree general education courses as well as subject and competency requirements for a total of 25 units 

Associate of Science Degree (AS)

Designed to prepare students for employment

  • This degree is not designed for transfer; however, the courses included in this degree may be transferable and may apply to other degrees designed for transfer
  • Requires a minimum of 60 units, including 19 units of associate degree general education courses as well as subject and competency requirements for a total of 25 units 

Certificate of Achievement

Prepares students for high level of competency for work in a business or industry

  • Requires a minimum of 8* units in the vocational area and does not require general education courses
  • A Certificate of Achievement under 16 units may not qualify for financial aid eligibility
  • A Certificate of Achievement is listed on the student's official transcript in accordance with State and Federal regulations

Skill Certificate 

Prepares students for entry-level employment opportunities in a business or industry

  • Requires less than 16 units in a vocational area and does not require general education courses
  • A Skill Certificate may not qualify for financial aid eligibility
  • A Skill Certificate is not listed on the student's official transcript in accordance with State and Federal regulations

*

Certificates of Achievement may have a total unit count of 8-15.5 units, if approved by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.