Associate Degree Requirements

Catalog Rights

Students may graduate under the degree requirements in effect:

  1. At the time of first enrollment at College of the Sequoias*, as long as continuous enrollment is maintained; or
  2. Any academic year while continuous enrollment is maintained at College of the Sequoias; or
  3. At the time continuous enrollment is reestablished and maintained at College of the Sequoias; or
  4. At the time of graduation

 
*

At the time of first enrollment at College of the Sequoias does not apply to students concurrently enrolled in high school. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in at least one semester per calendar year or one semester per academic year excluding summer session and ends with a break of more than two consecutive semesters (continuous enrollment cannot be maintained with a break of more than two consecutive semesters excluding summer session). Any academic record symbol (A-F, CR, NC, P, NP, I, IP, W) shall constitute enrollment. Exception: COS enrolled high school students completing all degree requirements while in high school can be awarded the degree requirements using any catalog rights listed.  

Definition of Associate Degrees

Students at College of the Sequoias who complete the appropriate requirements may earn either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree. Both degrees represent significant levels of achievement and may be used by students who plan to start their career immediately after graduating or, with proper planning and course selection, by those who plan to transfer to a four-year university.

  • Associate of Arts (AA) degree is granted to students majoring in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and similar areas.
  • Associate of Science (AS) degree is granted to students majoring in agriculture, engineering, technology, the sciences, and related programs.
  • Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree is designed for students planning to transfer to a California State University campus majoring in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and similar areas (see Transfer Information and Requirements section for additional information).
  • Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree is designed for students planning to transfer to a California State University campus majoring in agriculture, engineering, technology, the sciences, and related programs (see Transfer Information and Requirements section for additional information).

For more information, see Types of Degrees and Certificates


General Education Philosophy for the Associate Degree

General education breadth requirements emphasize democratic concepts based on the value and dignity of each individual, thus helping students prepare to undertake the responsibilities of citizenship and to participate knowledgeably in the varied experiences of life.

Major requirements educate students in the area of specialization; breadth requirements help them develop the capacity for independent judgment. The general education breadth requirements are of vital importance in the personal, social, and vocational/professional life of each student.

In personal development, breadth requirements help students develop self-awareness, thus increasing their understanding of personal potential and limitations.

In social relationships and in the life of society, breadth requirements help students communicate more effectively, better understand others, and develop an awareness of societal relationships.

In professional development, breadth requirements help students become more effective in the workplace through more effective communication through a better understanding of the relationship between the job at hand and the larger world.

General education breadth requirements:

  1. Expose students to the major disciplines of accumulated knowledge;
  2. Stimulate curiosity about their surroundings;
  3. Help students evaluate alternatives so that personal values can be formed;
  4. Develop effective communication skills;
  5. Gain a sense of self-worth;
  6. Learn to make rational decisions based on the utilization of problem-solving techniques; and
  7. Question simple solutions of complex problems; and if appropriate, seek alternatives.

Requirements for Associate of Arts & Associate of Science Degrees

  1. Units, Residency, and Scholarship Requirements: A minimum of 60 units of college-level courses numbered 1-299, at least 12 of which must be taken in residence at College of the Sequoias, with a "C" (2.0) average. These 60 units include general education, major, and elective courses.
  2. Major Requirements: Completion of all courses required for the desired major with a minimum grade of C in each course
  3. General Education Requirements: A minimum of 16 units of general education is defined in Areas A-D below.  All courses require a minimum grade of C. The additional 3 units required by Title 5 will be met with the health and wellness subject requirement. Note: completion of the CSU GE or IGETC transfer general education requirements or general education requirements at any regionally accredited university will fulfill the COS general education, subject, and competency requirements.
  4. Subject Requirements (8 units):
    1. Two units of Dance, Intercollegiate Athletics, or Physical Education activity courses with a minimum grade of C. Exemptions will be granted for veterans with an approved DD-214 or military transcript showing completion of basic training, students who have completed a police or fire academy, students earning a degree in Registered Nursing or Physical Therapy Assistant, and students with medical exemptions from qualified doctors.
    2. Three units of Health and Wellness: Completion of HW 001 or HW 007 or an equivalent college course at a regionally accredited college with a minimum grade of C. Exemptions will be granted for veterans with an approved DD-214 or military transcript showing completion of basic training; the four units granted by the college for the approved DD-214 or military transcript showing completion of basic training will be used to meet the minimum units required by Title 5. Exemptions will be granted to students earning a degree in Registered Nursing or Physical Therapy Assistant; however, as an alternative, they must complete one of the following: PSY 001, SOC 001, or NURS 106 (these courses may be used only once for either Area D or the Health and Wellness Subject Requirement).
    3. Three units of American Institutions: Completion of HIST 017*, HIST 018*, or  POLS 005**, or an equivalent course at an accredited college with a minimum grade of C.
  5. Competency Requirements: Students must establish competency in each of the following areas:
    1. Writing and Reading:
      ENGL 001 or an equivalent course at a regionally accredited college with a minimum grade of C.
    2. Mathematics:
      1. MATH 230 or  MATH 207 or a more advanced math course at COS, or an equivalent course at a regionally accredited college with a minimum grade of C.
    3. Information Competency: (1 unit if not met with Information Competency Examination)
      1. LIBR 101, LIBR 102LIBR 103, or LIBR 050 or an equivalent college course at a regionally accredited college with a minimum grade of C; or
      2. Pass Information Competency Exam with a successful score of 75 percent or better (enroll in LIBR 490AB to take the exam). Students will be allowed two attempts (only once per semester). If the exam is not passed after two attempts, students will be required to complete one of the LIBR courses listed above.
      3. Exemptions will be granted to students earning a degree in Registered Nursing or Physical Therapy Assistant.
  6. Exemptions for High Unit Transfer Majors
    1. Completion of the CSU-GE, IGETC or general education requirements at any regionally accredited university will fulfill the COS general education, subject and competency requirement. Students who have met the minimum admissions requirements for transferring to a UC or CSU campus in a major, such as Science or Engineering, where completion of the CSU GE or IGETC is not recommended, due to excessive units, will be granted an Associate degree (University Studies, Engineering, Math and Science) with the completion of the COS Associate Degree General Education requirements instead of the CSU GE or IGETC. The information competency, physical education, and health and wellness requirements will be waived and the additional 3 units required per Title 5 will be met with numerous additional science and math courses required for these majors.

COS General Education Requirements

Area A1: Written Communication

Complete 4 units minimum. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

ENGL 001College Reading and Composition4

Area A2: Oral Communication/Analytic Thinking

Complete 3 units minimum. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

AJ 025Constitutional Law3
BUS 020Business Statistics3
BUS/COMM 112Public Speaking for Business4
BUS 119Quantitative Methods3
COMM 001Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
COMM 004Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 005Argumentation and Debate3
COMM 007Persuasion3
COMM 008Group Communication3
COMP 005Computer Concepts4
COMP 006Programming Fundamentals3
ENGL 002Logic and Composition3
JOUR 007Mass Communication *3
MATH 010Structure and Concepts 14
MATH 005Modern Mathematics4
MATH 021Introduction to Statistics4
MATH 035Precalculus A4
MATH 044College Algebra4
MATH 054Precalculus B4
MATH 070Precalculus5
MATH 065Calculus 14
MATH 066Calculus 24
PHIL 020Introductory Logic3
PHIL 025Critical Thinking3
SSCI 008Introduction to Data Science4
SSCI 025Statistics - Social Sciences4
*

JOUR 007 can be counted in ONE AREA ONLY (A2 or D)

Area B: Natural Science

Complete 3 units minimum. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

AG 002Environmental Conservation3
AG 003Economic Entomology3
AG 004Soil Science3
ANTH 011Biological Anthropology3
ASTR 010Introduction to Astronomy3
BIOL 001Principles of Biology 15
BIOL 020Frontiers in Biology4
BIOL 021Plant Biology3
BIOL 022Animal Biology3
BIOL 025Human Ecology3
BIOL 030Human Anatomy4
BIOL 031Human Physiology4
BIOL 040General Microbiology4
CHEM 001General Chemistry 15
CHEM 010Introduction to Chemistry4
CHEM 020Introduction to General Chemistry4
GEOG 001Physical Geography3
GEOL 001Physical Geology4
GEOL 005Earth History4
GEOL 012Environmental Geology3
MET 0013
NUTR 018Nutrition3
OH 001Introduction to Horticultural Science3
PHYS 020General Physics 15
PHYS 055Physics 1: Mechanics & Waves4
PLSI 001Intro to Plant Science3
PSCI 020Physical Science4

Area C: Humanities

Complete 3 units minimum. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

AJ 123Ethics in Criminal Justice3
ANTH 013Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion *3
ARCH 010Architectural Design 14
ARCH 020Visual Communication 13
ARCH 070Architecture History 13
ARCH 071Architecture History 23
ART 001Art Appreciation3
ART 002Art History/Ancient-Gothic3
ART 003Art History/Gothic-Modern3
ART 004Art of Ancient America: Mesoamerica3
ART 005Art of Ancient America: South America3
ART 006Color and Design3
ART 0073
ART 008Drawing Fundamentals3
ART 066Beginning Sculpture3
ASL 001American Sign Language 14
ASL 002American Sign Language 23
ASL 003American Sign Language 33
ASL 004American Sign Language 43
ASL 005Deaf Culture3
ASL 006Deaf Literature3
BUS 185Ethics in Business and Industry3
CINA 031Film Appreciation-American3
CINA 032Film Appreciation-International3
DRAM 001Introduction to the Theatre3
DRAM 002Fundamentals of Acting 14
DRAM 003Fundamentals of Acting 23
DRAM 006Shakespeare3
ENGL 004Composition and Literature3
ENGL 010Chicano Literature3
ENGL 015Survey of British Literature 13
ENGL 016Survey of British Literature 23
ENGL 018African American Literature3
ENGL 019Women in Literature3
ENGL 030American Literature 13
ENGL 031American Literature 23
ENGL 044World Literature 13
ENGL 045World Literature 23
ENGL 046Shakespeare3
ETHN 001Black American Studies *3
ESL 090Advanced Academic ESL Reading/Writing/Grammar *5
ETHN 002American Indian Studies *3
ETHN 003Chicana and Chicano Studies *3
ETHN 004Asian American Studies *3
ETHN 010Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Social Justice Studies *3
HIST 004History of Western Civilization to 16483
HIST 005Western Civilization Since 16483
HIST 017People of the US to 1877 **3
HIST 018People of the US from 1865 **3
HIST 023Mexican American3
HIST 025World History to 15003
LING 111Introduction to Language3
MUS 001Music Fundamentals3
MUS 010Music Appreciation3
MUS 011Music Appreciation/Jazz3
MUS 013Music of the World3
MUS 014History of Rock and Roll3
OH 111Floral Design3
PHIL 001Introductory Philosophy3
PHIL 005Introduction to Ethics3
PHIL 012Comparative Religion3
PORT 001Beginning Portuguese4
PORT 002Elementary Portuguese4
SPAN 001Beginning Spanish4
SPAN 002Elementary Spanish4
SPAN 003Intermediate Spanish4
SPAN 004Advanced Spanish4
SPAN 012Hispanic Literature3
SPAN 022SPAN 2 for Spanish Speakers4
SPAN 023Spanish 3 for Spanish Speakers4
WELD 104Metal Sculpture3
*

ESL 090, ETHN 002, ETHN 003, ETHN 004ETHN 010 , and ANTH 013 can be counted in ONE AREA ONLY (C or D).

**

HIST 017 and HIST 018 can be counted in either AREA C or the America Institution Subject Requirement.

Area D: Social/Behavioral Science

Complete 3 units minimum. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

AG 001AG, Society, & the Environment3
AGMT 001Agriculture Economics3
AGMT 006Agriculture Sector Analysis3
AJ 011Introduction to Criminal Justice3
AJ 045Terrorism and Freedom3
AJ 114Juvenile Delinquency3
ANTH 010Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH 012Archaeology3
ANTH 013Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion *3
CFS 080Lifespan Development3
COMM 002Gender and Communication3
BUS 188Human Relations in Business3
CHLD 039Child Development-DS 13
CHLD 042Child, Family & Society-DS23
COMM 009Intercultural Communication3
ECON 025Introduction to Economics3
ECON 040Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON 050Principles of Macroeconomics3
ESL 090Advanced Academic ESL Reading/Writing/Grammar *5
ETHN 001Black American Studies *3
ETHN 002American Indian Studies *3
ETHN 003Chicana and Chicano Studies *3
ETHN 004Asian American Studies *3
ETHN 010Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Social Justice Studies *3
FASH 141Introduction to Fashion Culture, Dress, and Theory3
GEOG 002World Regional Geography3
HSRV 120Introduction to Social Welfare3
HSRV 122Introduction of Human Services3
JOUR 007Mass Communication **3
JOUR 020Cultural Issues in Film/TV/Web3
KINE 088Sport and Exercise Psychology3
NUTR 020Cultural Foods3
POLS 005Federal, State and Local Government ***3
POLS 006Comparative Politics3
POLS 008International Relations3
POLS 011Political Theory and Thought3
POLS 012Introduction to Political Science3
PSY 001General Psychology3
PSY 005Social Psychology3
PSY 010Human Sexuality3
PSY 034Abnormal Psychology3
PSY 133Personal and Social Growth3
SOC 001Introduction to Sociology3
SOC 002Social Problems3
SOC 010Sociology of Gender3
SOC 026Marriage and Family Life3
SOC 043Sociology of Deviance3
SSCI 050Law and Democracy3
*

ESL 090, ETHN 002, ETHN 003, ETHN 004ETHN 010, and ANTH 013 can be counted in ONE AREA ONLY (C or D).

**

JOUR 007 can be counted in ONE AREA ONLY (A2 or D)

***

HIST 017 and HIST 018 can be counted in either AREA C or the America Institution Subject Requirement.

NOTE:

 Registered Nursing and PTA students: PSY 1, SOC 1, and NURS 106 may be used only once for either Area D or the Health and Wellness Subject Requirement


Multiple Majors

  1. Students may elect to pursue up to three majors at a time. However, federal financial aid will only award aid toward course requirements for one major at a time. 
  2. Students can apply for multiple degrees during the degree filing period.
  3. All degrees are subject to appropriate catalog rights.
  4. There will be a monetary charge for each degree awarded.
  5. Notations of all degrees earned and majors completed will appear on students’ transcripts.
  6. A receipt from the cashier for each diploma must accompany the application for a degree.

Graduation Application

An Application to Graduate must be filed by each student who wishes to receive an Associate degree. Students must make an appointment with a counselor to apply for graduation. 

The application must be submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the deadlines published in the college calendar, which can be found in the Schedule of Classes, College Catalog, and Student Bulletin.