The awarding of an Associate Degree represents more than an accumulation of units. It symbolizes a thoughtful attempt on the part of Mendocino College to introduce students to patterns of learning experiences designed to develop specific capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics; to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; to be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the means of self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student should possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge which will be of lifelong interest and use.

Associate degrees are commonly conferred by community colleges. They are usually of two types, the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science. The distinction between the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees lies in the majors. If the major is in the fields of engineering, physical or biological science, or career curricula, the degree conferred is usually an Associate of Science. Otherwise the Associate of Arts degree is conferred.

Ordinarily, associate degrees have one of two major purposes. Either the program of study prepares the individual for transfer to a four-year college or university, or the program of study is intended to prepare the student for immediate employment.

General Education
An essential part of an Associate Degree, General Education is intended to introduce students to the variety of academic disciplines and ways of knowing in the contemporary intellectual world. General Education requirements reflect the conviction of the College that those who attain an academic degree should possess in common certain basic abilities, skills and attitudes representative of an educated person.

Specifically, the abilities, skills and attitudes developed through General Education include:

1. the ability to evaluate and produce effective expression and content in written and spoken discourse;
2. the ability to analyze, criticize and advocate ideas, and to identify the assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend;
3. the ability to perform calculations and quantitative analyses appropriate to public and private decision making;
4. the ability to analyze and appreciate works of philosophical, historical, literary, aesthetic and cultural importance;
5. the ability to appreciate and understand the contributions and perspectives of women and of ethnic minorities;
6. the ability to understand and evaluate individual, cultural and social behavior in the society in which one lives, as well as the behavior and social organizations of other human societies;
7. the ability to comprehend and apply methods of scientific reasoning in the physical and biological sciences, and to comprehend science as a human endeavor, and;
8. the ability to continue a pattern of lifelong development of oneself as an integrated physiological and psychological entity.

General Education courses are offered at the introductory survey level, and are intended to encompass the widest spectrum of key concepts. General Education courses reflect the key concepts and methods of the sciences, the arts and humanities, or the social sciences. All of the General Education courses are offered at a post secondary level of instruction. General Education courses do not include course work intended as developmental instruction in basic skills, or course work specific to one's academic major.

Academic Requirements For Associate Degree
Students who maintain status as a "continuing student" may meet the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their admission to the College or, if so desired, requirements in effect at the time of graduation. A student who does not remain in continuous enrollment (absent for two consecutive semesters) is expected to meet the program requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

The Degree of Associate of Arts or Associate of Science will be awarded to all students who complete the minimum requirements and submit a written application for the Degree by the deadline noted on the Academic Calendar.

The following requirements must be met:

A. TOTAL UNITS AND SCHOLARSHIP:

1. Completion of a minimum of 60 semester units of acceptable college credits.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0, "C", or better in all course work at Mendocino College and in all college work.
3. No more than eight (8) semester units of Special Topic courses numbered 98 or 198 may be counted as elective credit towards an associate degree or certificate of achievement.

B. RESIDENCE:

1. A minimum of 12 units must be completed in residence at Mendocino College.

C. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

1. A minimum of 18 semester units constituting a major in a discipline in one of the transfer or career major sequences as outlined in the appropriate educational program.
2. Courses used for a major (except for mathematics and science courses) may not be used towards satisfying General Education requirements.

D. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE:
Under Title V, Section 55806, effective July 1, 1983, students who are planning to receive an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree from Mendocino College must complete or demonstrate competency requirements in three specific areas. Students should attempt to satisfy competency requirements outlined below during their first semester or year of college attendance. The areas of competencies are Mathematics, Written Expression, and Reading and can be met as follows:

1. MATHEMATICS: A score of 41 or higher on the MDEA (Elementary Algebra) or a score of 16 or higher on the MDIA (Intermediate Algebra) or satisfactory completion of Business 50 or Mathematics 55, 55.2, 56, 56.1, 56.2, 100, 121, 200, 210, 211, 212, 220 or 230 with a "C" or better
2. WRITTEN EXPRESSION: Satisfactory completion of English 80 or English 200 with a "C" or better, or Business Office Technology 170 with a "C" or better 
3. READING: Satisfactory completion of English 80, English 200, or Business Office Technology 170 with a "C" or better

E. INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES: Three units selected from Anthropology 201; Art 201, 202, 206; Child Development 105; English 250, 265; Geography 202; Music 208; Philosophy 230; Psychology 220; Sociology 201, 202, 235 or 241; Speech 211; Theatre Arts 206
2. HEALTH EDUCATION:
   Three units selected from Health 55, 103 or 200

F. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE:
Eighteen semester units of general education from areas (A) Natural Science, (B) Social and Behavioral Sciences, (C) Humanities, and (D) Language and Rationality

AREA A. NATURAL SCIENCES
(Minimum of 3 Units)

1. Agriculture 95, 108, 204; Anthropology 200; Astronomy 200, 203, 204, 205; Biological Sciences 200, 201, 202, 230, 231, 241, 242, 250, 255, 257, 259; Chemistry 200, 202, 243, 250, 251, 255, 256; Earth Science 200, 201, 202, 206, 208, 210, 211, 212; Geography 206, 212; Geology 201, 202, 208, 210; Natural Resources 100, 200; Physical Sciences 210; Physics 202, 210, 211, 214, 215; Psychology 255

AREA B. SOCIAL SCIENCES
(Minimum of 6 Units)

1. American Institutions. (3 Units) History 150, 210, 211, 212; or Political Science 200
2. Social and Behavioral Sciences. (3 Units) Anthropology 201; Business 134, 138, 212, 230; Child Development 90, 105, 180, 200, 201; Economics 200, 201; Geography 201, 202; History 188, 200, 201, 220, 221; Political Science 201, 202; Psychology 181, 190, 205, 206, 212, 215, 216, 218, 220, 250; Sociology 200, 201, 202, 210, 235, 241; Speech 211

AREA C. HUMANITIES
(Minimum of 3 Units)

1. American Sign Language 200, 201, 202, 203; Art 160, 170, 201, 202, 205, 206, 210, 213, 214, 231, 232, 240, 250; Child Development 125; English 201, 210, 225, 245, 246, 250, 265; French 100, 101, 102, 103, 200, 201, 202, 203; Humanities 200; Journalism 180, 200; Music 200, 201A, 201B, 202A, 202B, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210 or 212 or 214, 220, 230, 232, 252, 256, 260, 272, 276, 278, 280, 285; Philosophy 210, 220, 230; Spanish 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 200, 201, 202, 203, 210, 211; Theatre Arts 130, 131, 200, 201, 202, 206, 210, 213, 220, 225, 230, 234, 238, 242, 244, 245, 247, 250, 260

AREA D. LANGUAGE AND RATIONALITY
(Minimum of 6 Units)

1. English Composition (3 Units) Business Office Technology 170; English 80, 200
2. Communication & Analytical Thinking (3 Units) Alcohol & Other Drugs 154; Business 50; Business Office Technology 170; Computer Science 134, 140, 201, 204, 221, 222; English 205; Human Services 154; Mathematics 54, 55, 56, 121, 200, 210, 211, 212, 214, 215, 220, 230; Speech 200, 210.

Created: May 24, 1999 @ 12:00 AM
Last Modified: July 19, 2007 @ 10:02 AM