712.01: Degrees and Awards
Enterprise State Community College is authorized to award associate degrees, certificates, and short-term certificates.
Associate in Arts (AA) Degree: An undergraduate award signifying successful completion of a prescribed course of study (60 to 64 semester credit hours) designed for students planning to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts.
Associate in Science (AS) Degree: An undergraduate award signifying successful completion of a prescribed course of study (60 to 64 semester credit hours) designed for students planning to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a baccalaureate degree in the sciences or a specialized professional field.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree: An undergraduate award signifying successful completion of a prescribed course of study (60 to 76 semester credit hours) that offers specialization in a technical, business, or semi-professional field qualifying the student for employment upon graduation while providing the possibility for transfer of some credit to a senior institution.
Certificate (CER): An undergraduate award (less than a degree) signifying the successful completion of a prescribed course of study (30 to 60 semester hours) that provides the student with a specialized set of skills for employment or professional advancement. Certificates are not designed for transfer to a senior institution.
CTE Short-Term Certificate (STC): An undergraduate award signifying the successful completion of a prescribed course of study (9 to 29 semester credit hours) equipping the student with a focused set of skills for an entry-level position in business and industry. CTE Short-term certificates are not designed for transfer to a senior institution.
Requirements for Degrees and Certificates
Degree programs offered by ESCC reflect coherent courses of study compatible with the College’s mission, are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education, and include general education components ensuring a breadth of knowledge that promotes intellectual inquiry and critical thinking. Each degree consists of coursework from each of the five areas as defined by the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee.
The following table provides the required distribution of semester credit hours among Areas I through V for each award.
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Areas of Study
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Credit Hours Required By Award
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AA
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AS
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AAS
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CER
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CTE STC
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Area I
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Written Composition
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6
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6
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3 – 6
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3 - 6
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0 – 3
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Area II
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Humanities and Fine Arts
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12
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12
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3 – 6
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0 - 6
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0
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Area III
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Natural Science and Mathematics
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11
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11
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6 – 11
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3-7
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0 – 3
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Area IV
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History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences
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12
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12
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3 – 6
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0
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0
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Area V
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Technical Core, Technical Concentration, and Electives
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19 – 23
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19 – 23
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31– 61
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11 – 54
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9 – 29
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Areas I – V
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Total Hours Required
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60 – 64
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60 – 64
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60 – 76
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30 – 60
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9 – 29
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Note: Expanded charts for each award are available from ACCS.
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POLICY NAME:
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715.01: Graduation Requirements: Degrees and Certificates
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EFFECTIVE:
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09/24/2021
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CROSS REFERENCE:
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