Types of Courses within the Associate Degree

Within an Associate degree, there are three types of courses: courses in the major, general education courses, and electives to bring the total number of units to a minimum of 60.

• Major courses. Each major has a minimum of 18 units, however, some majors might have more than 18 units required in the core classes. Each course is worth a certain number of units. Major requirements can be found under “Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog.

• General Education courses. The Associate degree also has general education courses. Students choose one of three options depending on their education needs. There are three patterns of General Education: 1) local requirements, 2) General Education Breadth requirements as outline by the California State University system (GE-B) and 3) Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) as outlined by both the California State University system and the University of California. Depending on the General Education pattern that is followed, there are 22 to 39 units. General education courses are covered later in the catalog. Students should complete the Ethnic Studies requirement. Some of the courses listed in this requirement also meet the general education requirements.

• Elective courses. The remaining units to make up the 60 units to graduate will be elective units, meaning units of your choosing. Some majors restrict the type of electives, so read the “Degrees and Certificates” area of the catalog carefully.

Recency of Coursework Limitations

Academic departments may require that courses for the major be completed within a specified period of time prior to granting of the Associate degree or certificates. Students with questions about the application of previous coursework are advised to consult with the Department or their counselor as early as possible. Recency is calculated on the calendar year.

Courses from Other Schools

For courses used to award a Taft College degree or certificate, official transcripts from other regionally accredited institutions must be submitted to the Admissions Office before a complete graduation evaluation can be made. The Academic Records Office will post degree-applicable, passing, non-repeating courses from a regionally accredited institution to the student’s official Taft College transcript. Courses used for awarding the degree will follow the transfer credit evaluation process. Taft College will award the minimum amount of units to ensure students who transfer will have met the 60 unit requirements at the receiving institution that is the school they plan to transfer to.

Upper Division Units

Taft College will accept coursework completed at the upper division level from a regionally accredited college or university by petition from student, within all of the following conditions:

1. The coursework must be deemed comparable to a Taft College course or requirement, by the appropriate discipline faculty, division chair, C-ID descriptor, or an articulation agreement.

2. Courses may be used to meet content credit in a program requirement, a local associate degree’s general education requirement, or a prerequisite.

3. Maximum subject credit for upper division units will be allowed. (12 units maximum)

4. Courses will not be used to certify CSU General Education Breadth, or IGETC certification.

Students should be aware that transfer schools (receiving colleges or universities) may count the upper division units as upper division units, students may still need 60 lower division units for admission requirements.

Other Courses Acceptable Toward Graduation

• Military Service-Courses taken during military service courses are credited in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education. A maximum of 18-20 units for military service may be applied to Associate Degree requirements.

• Extension or correspondence courses taken through accredited post-secondary institutions will be accepted toward fulfilling graduation requirements.