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    Mar 19, 2024  
2017-18 RACC Student Catalog 
    
2017-18 RACC Student Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Degree Types



Associate in Arts

Transfer Programs

Students pursuing a Transfer Program will earn the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree upon completion of all requirements. The programs have been designed with a level of adaptability because of the diversity of colleges and universities to which students may transfer. The General Education Requirements for all A.A. programs are listed in the Programs of Study . They are the mandatory courses that students complete in addition to their Major Requirements and Electives. As noted in the previous paragraph, the variance of academic programs at other educational institutions makes the selection of the Major Core Electives of paramount importance; therefore, it is recommended that students work closely with their Advisor and the Admissions Department of the four-year college or university to which they wish to transfer.

Although the College maintains a position of adaptability with regard to certain courses within the A.A. curricula, deviations from the General Education Requirements or the Major Requirements are approved only for extenuating circumstances by the Faculty Advisor and Assistant Dean. 

Associate in Science

Transfer Program

Students pursuing the Science Transfer Program will earn the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree upon completion of all requirements. The program has been designed with a level of adaptability because of the diversity of colleges and universities to which students may transfer.

The General Education Requirements for the A.S. degree are listed in the Programs of Study . They are the mandatory courses that students complete in addition to their Electives. As noted in the previous paragraph, the variance of academic programs at other educational institutions make the selection of the Electives of paramount importance; therefore, it is recommended that students work closely with their Advisor and the Admissions Department of the four-year college or university to which they wish to transfer.

Although the College maintains a position of adaptability with regard to certain courses within the A.S. program, deviations from the General Education Requirements are approved only for extenuating circumstances by the Faculty Advisor and Assistant Dean.

Associate in Applied Science

Career Programs

The College offers the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. These A.A.S. degrees are also referred to as Career Programs. They academically prepare students for employment upon graduation.

The General Education Requirements for all A.A.S. candidates are listed in the Programs of Study . It is mandatory that all A.A.S. candidates complete these courses in addition to their Major Requirements. The purpose of this component of the associate degree is to offer exposure to the five academic divisions of the College which will serve to enhance the strength of the program in which students choose to major. Deviations from these requirements are approved only for extenuating circumstances by the Faculty Advisor and Assistant Dean.

Associate in General Studies

Individualized Programs

The Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) degree is an individualized program which allows students to design their own degree programs for professional development or transfer. The College may also recommend the A.G.S. to students with a large number of transfer credits because of the proportion of total credits in free electives.

The General Education Requirements listed in the Programs of Study  are the mandatory courses that all A.G.S. candidates complete in addition to Electives. Deviations from these requirements are approved only for extenuating circumstances by the Faculty Advisor and Assistant Dean.

NOTE: This degree program requires careful planning with the transfer institution to allow for maximum transferability of credits.

Certificates

RACC offers both credit and non-credit certificates. Non-credit certificates are offered in the College’s Workforce and Community Education areas, and they are constructed to meet specific industry and certification needs.

There are two basic types of credit certificates: Academic Certificates and Proficiency Certificates. Academic Certificates are designed to prepare the student for more advanced academic work. Proficiency Certificates are designed to prepare the student for a particular occupation or area of work.

As stand-alone programs of study, only proficiency certificates of 16 credits or more are eligible for federal Title IV funding. Students pursuing shorter proficiency certificates of less than 16 credits, or academic certificates, must find other sources of tuition support. However, students enrolled in degree programs may elect the award of a certificate after the completion of required courses that are nested within their degree structure. For more information, students may contact their Academic Advisor or Assistant Dean.

Certain non-credit certificates will result in the award of credit toward degrees and credit certificates if faculty have assessed their required work as equivalent to college credit. Students should inquire from an academic advisor if this is true of any non-credit courses or certificates in which they are interested.

Degree Concentration

Students may declare concentrations in particular areas within degree programs. Concentrations consist of at least 9 credits that provide students with skills and knowledge in focused areas of study that are professionally valuable or prepare students for more advanced study. More information on concentrations can be obtained from the Academic Divisions or the college’s Advising Center.

Diploma

College Credit Programs

The Diploma - College Credit Programs provide students with specific technical job skills. Students who complete the requirements of a Diploma gain specialized skills for workforce entry or promotion.