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Solano Community College VIP Orientation

 

 

Step 7c - Follow-up:
Graduation, Associate Degrees and Certificates

Will I automatically graduate when I have completed enough classes?

No, you will not automatically graduate as happens in high school.  The LAST thing to do to graduate is to complete a PETITION card with the Office of Admissions and Records during the first 1/3 of your last semester - when you are completing the requirements. 

See Important Dates and Deadlines for the first and last dates in the current semesters when you can file your petition for degrees and certificates.
 

How can I earn a Certificate of Achievement?

Certificates are offered in vocational majors listed at Program Degrees and Certificates (PDF 443 kb).

You can earn a Certificate by completing* the courses for a vocational major, and petitioning to graduate (see first paragraph above).

*Courses must be completed with at least a C average, 2.0 GPA (Grade Point Average).
  

How can I graduate with an Associate Degree?

To complete an Associate Degree, you need:

  • 60 units of courses numbered 1-199 with a 2.0 GPA

  • Cross Cultural Studies course

  • A Petition to OAR before calendar deadline

  • Solano College Major

  • General Education:
     - Using Option A, B, or C below.

PLUS

Option A

  • 2 PE classes, or Health Ed lecture + 1 PE

  • Reading Requirement (See Area D2)

  • 7 General Education classes (21 units)

  • 18-40+ units in a Solano College Major

OR

Option B

  • Complete IGETC, with a C grade or better in each class (used by transfer students to UC or CSU systems in some majors)

  • Liberal Arts major plus any other earned major

OR

Option C

  • Complete the CSU General Education 39-unit breadth pattern (used by transfer students to the California State University system in some majors).  See a counselor for more information

  • Liberal Arts major plus any other earned major


What else do I need to know about graduation?

There are many other details – see Graduation Requirements in the catalog index.

Please make an appointment to see a counselor well beforeCalendar you plan to graduate to be sure you have met all requirements.   To make a same-day appointment, come to the Counseling Counter in Building 100 on the main Suisun Valley Campus.  For a recording of counseling hours Monday through Friday, call (707) 864-7000, Ext. 5200.  To ask a question about appointments, call (707) 864-7101.

You MAY have Catalog Rights to the catalog in effect when you started at Solano Community College.  Ask a counselor. 

At least 12 semester units must be completed at Solano Community College.
 

Why should I get an Associate Degree if I plan to get a Bachelor's Degree?

  • It is more impressive on a resumé or job application to have a Degree (or a Certificate) in case you want to work before completing the Bachelor’s Degree.

  • Like a high school diploma, it shows completion of a course of study.

  • Sometimes something else in life becomes more important than completing a Bachelor’s Degree. 

  • Working with a counselor, you can plan for an Associate Degree while completing transfer requirements.


Can I choose either an AA (Associate of Art) or an AS (Associate of Science) degree in any major?

No, the type of Associate Degree is determined by the major as listed in the Solano Community College catalog.  For example:

  • ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE (AS) degrees are awarded in vocational majors with certificates, as well as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
     

  • ASSOCIATE OF ART (AA) degrees are awarded in majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and science (general).

 
How long will it take to get a degree?

Although an AA or AS is considered to be a 2-year degree, it may take longer because:

  • Basic foundation courses may be needed before beginning the first courses listed as college-level.
     

  • Some people need to work full-time and attend college half-time, so it may take twice as long.  
     

  • Course time conflicts and availability may delay completion.

There is no maximum time limit at Solano Community College, but there may be for transfer to some universities in some majors (such as Bioscience, Business or Engineering).

   

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Last updated: June 19, 2008