AA/AS Degree Requirements

The awarding of an Associate Degree is intended to represent more than an accumulation of units. It is to symbolize a successful attempt on the part of the College to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop individual 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; be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the capacity for self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

Graduation from Cañada College with the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree is based upon the completion of 60 units of lower division college work, including Athrough G listed below. Substitutions and waivers for degree requirements may be authorized by petition to the appropriate Division Dean. An application for the degree must be filed in the Admissions and Records Office during the last semester of attendance (refer to calendar for the college year for deadline).

Refer to AA/AS Degree Requirements worksheet in the Catalog.

Philosophy of General Education

Central to an Associate Degree, General Education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. It reflects the conviction of colleges that those who receive their degrees must possess in common certain basic principles, concepts and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines. College educated persons must be able to use this knowledge when evaluating and appreciating the physical environment, the culture and the society in which they live. Most importantly, General Education should lead to better self-understanding.

 

Student Catalog Rights

Graduation requirements are listed in the Catalog. Each Catalog covers an academic year that reflects enrollment beginning with the fall term and includes subsequent spring and summer terms. Having “catalog rights” means students are held to the graduation requirements listed in the catalog at the time enrollment begins. Students may choose to use catalog rights for any subsequent year of continuous enrollment. For Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, catalog rights apply to enrollment in any of the San Mateo County Community College District colleges.

For the purpose of this policy, “continuous enrollment” means attending at least one term (fall, spring, summer) each academic year. Attendance is required through the fourth week of instruction for semester length classes or thirty percent (30%) of summer classes and semester classes that are shorter than the full semester.

Catalog rights gained at a college outside of the San Mateo Community College District are not applicable at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, or Skyline College.
Catalog rights cannot supersede any State or Federal Regulation or requirement in effect at the time of graduation.

Additional Degrees and Certificates of Achievement

A student may earn multiple Associate degrees and certificates from Cañada College. Only the degrees and certificates that are approved by the state which require 12 or more units of course work will be posted to student’s academic record, and will receive diplomas for each degree and certificate of achievement earned.
To earn additional degrees and certificates, any course work used to meet the graduation requirements may count toward more than one degree and certificate. Courses used for one major may be used to meet requirements for additional majors.
Courses used to meet the competency requirements for the first degree may be used to fulfill the requirements for additional degrees, provided the student has maintained “continued attendance” (see the graduation and catalog rights requirements on page 50). If a break in enrollment occurs, a student must comply with the competency, general education, and major course requirements in effect at the time the student resumes attendance or any catalog year thereafter.