Associate in Arts (A.A.)
The Associate in Arts programs serve students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges. These institutions require a broad range of general education courses for freshman and sophomores, and concentrate on major-related courses in the junior and senior years. This degree includes no fewer than 45 general education credits from the following knowledge areas.
Communications (C) - 9 credits to include two Composition (writing) courses and one Speech course.
Humanities (HU) - 9 credits in any broad-based courses in the history of or appreciation of Art, Music, and Theater; Literature; Foreign Language; Philosophy; Religious Studies; or additional broad-based history course in Western, non-Western, American, or World (Civilization) History.
Social Sciences (SS) - 6 credits selected from introductory courses in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology.
Mathematics (M), Sciences (SC), and Technological Competency (IT) - 12 credits including 3-8 credits in Mathematics at a level that minimally requires a prerequisite of basic algebra; 4-8 credits in science in general biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental sciences, at least one of which must have a laboratory component; 0-4 credits in a rigorous introduction to computer science or a computer applications course or by taking comparable coursework that emphasizes common computer skills and/or helps students access, analyze, and communicate information using appropriate technologies. A student may be waived from the Technological Competency requirement by passing a proficiency exam or by taking comparable coursework within other portions of his or her studies. Such courses will be designated in the catalog by a (t).
History (HI) - 6 credits selected from broad-based courses in Western, non-Western, American or World (Civilization) History.
Cultural and Global Awareness (CG) (Diversity): - 3 credits One course is required from those courses designated with a (CG). This designation is for any course that significantly helps students analyze the implications of the commonalities and differences among culturally diverse people. Students may meet this requirement while simultaneously fulfilling the General Education requirement for another knowledge area. Students who fulfill this requirement by taking a course from another knowledge area will need to take three credits from any General Education knowledge area to satisfy the 45-credit requirement for this degree.
[Note for students planning to transfer to Rutgers: To receive the benefits of the Comprehensive Statewide Transfer Agreement from Rutgers, AA degree holders must have a specific course dedicated to the CG category. The CG course can not be used to fulfill any other GE requirement, including Humanities, History, Social Sciences or any additional GE credits required in your program. In order for the CG course to be recognized by Rutgers, it must be completed prior to graduation with the AA degree. No other NJ public institutions have this requirement.]
Ethical Reasoning and Action (E): Students must complete at least one General Education course that integrates ethical reasoning and action.
Information Literacy (IL) Students must complete at least one General Education course that integrates information literacy.
Associate in Science (A.S.)
The Associate in Science (A.S.) programs serve students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges for science-related majors. These institutions require a broad range of general education courses for freshman and sophomores, and concentrate on major-related courses in the junior and senior years. This degree includes no fewer than 30 general education credits distributed among:
Communications (C) - 6 credits to include two Composition courses, may include an additional course in Speech.
Humanities (HU) - 3 credits in any broad-based course in Art, Music, Theater, Literature, Foreign Language, Philosophy, Religious Studies or additional broad-based history course in Western, non-Western, American, or World (Civilization) History.
Social Sciences (SS) - 3 credits selected from introductory courses in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology.
Three (3) additional credits in Social Science or Humanities knowledge areas as described above.
Mathematics (M), Sciences (SC), and Technological Competency (IT) - 9 credits including 3-8 credits in Mathematics at a level that minimally requires a prerequisite of basic algebra; 4-8 credits in science in general biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental sciences, at least one of which must have a laboratory component; 0-4 credits in a rigorous introduction to computer science or a computer applications course or by taking comparable coursework that emphasizes common computer skills and/or helps students access, analyze, and communicate information using appropriate technologies. A student may be waived from the Technological Competency requirement by passing a proficiency exam or by taking comparable coursework within other portions of his or her studies. Such courses will be designated in the catalog by a (t).
Cultural and Global Awareness (CG) (Diversity): One course is recommended from those courses designated with a (CG). This designation is for any course that significantly helps students analyze the implications of the commonalities and differences among culturally diverse people.
Ethical Reasoning and Action (E): Students must complete at least one General Education course that integrates ethical reasoning and action.
Information Literacy (IL): Students must complete at least one General Education course that integrates information literacy.
The Additional 6 credits can be chosen from any of the categories but cannot exceed the number of credits listed in the A.A. program credit distribution requirements.
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) programs prepare students to enter employment as well-rounded, skilled workers.
The Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree. It provides an exposure to the general education courses required by four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts Programs.
The A.A.S. or A.F.A. Degrees will include no fewer than 20 General Education credits distributed among:
Communications (C) - 6 credits to include one Composition (writing) course; the second course may be taken in either Composition or Speech.
Humanities (HU) or Social Science (SS) - 3 credits from either of the knowledge areas as defined in the A.A. section.
Mathematics (M), Sciences (SC), and Technological Competency (IT) - 3 credits as defined in the A.A. and A.S. requirements.
Cultural and Global Awareness (CG) (Diversity): One course is recommended from those courses designated with a (CG). This designation is for any course that significantly helps students analyze the implications of the commonalities and differences among culturally diverse people.
Ethical Reasoning and Action (E): At least one course in the student’s program of study must contain ethical reasoning and action. Students may fulfill the requirement to complete a course that integrates ethical reasoning and action through General Education or other program requirements.
Information Literacy (IL): At least one course in the student’s program of study must contain information literacy. Students may fulfill the requirement to complete a course that integrates information literacy through General Education or other program requirements.
The additional 8 credits can be chosen from any of the categories but cannot exceed the number of credits listed in the A.S. program credit distribution requirements.
Academic Credit Certificate
Academic Credit Certificates consist of 30 to 36 credits, including 6 credits of general education. Any offering of clustered courses consisting of less than 30 credits is entitled Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement.
Academic Credit Certificates include no fewer than 6 general education credits distributed among:
Communication (C) - 3 credits in Composition (writing).
Three (3) credits from any General Education category.
General education coursework in excess of the required 6 credits should follow the A.A.S. degree.
Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement
An offering of clustered courses consisting of less than 30 credits is an Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement.
Academic Credit Certificate of Achievement programs require no general education courses beyond those which support career education.