Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Fall 2006 Plenary Session Redefining the Associate Degree Mark Wade Lieu, Ohlone College Greg Granderson,

Academic Senate for California Community Colleges

Fall 2006 Plenary Session

Redefining the Associate Degree

Mark Wade Lieu, Ohlone CollegeGreg Granderson, Santa Rosa Junior CollegePaul Setziol, DeAnza CollegeShaaron Vogel, Butte College



Degrees based on IGETC and CSU-GE

Title 5 § 55806• Minimum Requirements for the

Associate Degree. Each associate in arts or associate in science degree must include a major of at least 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of study in a single discipline or related disciplines.




Curriculum Handbook• Associate degree majors are required

to be at least 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of coursework in a single discipline or related disciplines, as listed in the Taxonomy of Programs. However, for degrees intended to provide transfer students with lower-division general education, a distribution of general education coursework according to university requirements may be considered to satisfy this requirement.




Legal Advisory 05-05• This requirement disallows "majors"

with no discernible focus or majors constructed of loosely structured items of interest selected individually by students. Districts should ensure that this requirement is observed and that a clear major is described in connection with each associate degree offered.




• Other Issues– Degrees based on local General

Education– Degrees based on IGETC/CSU-GE

PLUS an area of emphasis– Use of the term “transfer” in

degree titles




• Resolutions– Support degrees based on IGETC

and CSU-GE– Oppose degrees based on IGETC

and CSU-GE




Survey Results• 36 responses

– 23 - IGETC– 25 - CSU GE Breadth– 14 - Locally determined GE– 07 - Other




Support for such degrees• 24 - Allow any type of GE

pattern• 05 - IGETC/CSU GE Breadth

only• 05 - Oppose degrees based on

GE pattern



Minimum Grade in Courses in a Major

• Currently, only require a C average

• Resolution to support change to minimum grade of C in courses comprising the area of emphasis for a degree or a certificate

• General support




The Wrinkle• For degrees based on IGETC or

CSU-GE, what would constitute the area of emphasis?

• The whole pattern vs. 18 units




If 18 units, which 18 units?• Golden 4 – already require a C

– Area A: Communication (3 units – CSU only)

– Area A: English Composition (3 units)– Area A: Critical Thinking (3 units)– Area B4: Mathematics (3 to 5 units)– 4-6 units still to be decided



What’s in a name?

• Associate of Arts• Associate of Science



What’s in a name?

• How do you define an associate of arts (AA)?

• How do you define an associate of science (AS)?



What’s in a name?

The Argument for Consistency• Clarity for students• Clarity for the public• A single degree title



What’s in a name?

The Flipside• CSU and UC are not consistent• Local traditions and values



What’s in a name?

Vocational Degrees• A new degree title?• The Associate in Applied Science

(AAS)– Nationally, has lower requirements

to fulfill general education– During math/English discussion, it is

clear the senates do not support this



What’s in a name?

Survey Results• 36 responses

– 31 offer both AA and AS– 03 offer a single associate

degree– 16 have identical requirements

for the AA and AS



What’s in a name?

Differentiating the AA and AS• 21 have a clear distinction

– AS has additional requirements for science

– AS focuses on math/science/engineering

– AS is granted for vocational degrees– AA is for liberal arts and humanities



What’s in a name?

Support for statewide definition of AA/AS

• 29 believe standardization would be beneficial to students and communication with external groups

• 27 want the ASCCC to pursue a standardization in usage



What’s in a name?

• Resolutions– One unified associate degree title

(no more AA vs. AS)– Clarify the distinction between an

AA and AS on a statewide level– Create a third associate degree

specifically for vocational areas



Redefining the Associate Degree

Thank You

If you have further questions, you can contact Mark Wade Lieu at [email protected]

Documents

Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Fall 2006 Plenary Session Redefining the Associate Degree Mark Wade Lieu, Ohlone College Greg Granderson,