Associate Degree and Certificate Requirements

Preparing for Graduation

Petitions for degrees and certificates should be filed with the LMC Admissions Office early in the semester in which the requirements will be completed, so students can be notified of evaluation results. The deadline for petitioning for graduation is posted in the Spring Schedule of Courses and at the LMC Admissions Office. Credit from other institutions may be used to satisfy graduation requirements (see "Credit Accepted at Los Medanos College" in the Standards of Scholarship section).

The graduation ceremony is held once a year at the end of the spring semester for those students who complete the requirements for graduation during the academic year. Awards are available to graduates in the weeks following the graduation ceremony.

Catalog Rights

LMC publishes a new catalog every year, and the requirements for the degree/certificate programs may change from one catalog to the next. Students have the right to graduate under the terms of any of the catalogs that are published while in continuous enrollment, prior to eligibility for graduation.

Continuous enrollment is defined as the period of time in which a student's record reflects completion of at least one course, for one semester or term, during a given catalog (academic) year, from the time of original enrollment. A student who has a break in attendance must use the catalog that is in effect at the time of readmission or a subsequent catalog for the period of continuing enrollment. In the event of discontinued courses, substitutions may be required.

Associate Degree Programs and Requirements

A student who wishes to receive an Associate degree should consult with an LMC counselor. The counselor will assist the student in planning the courses required to satisfy the major for the degree and all other graduation requirements. LMC students have the option of following the "Standard Path" or the "Transfer Path" when planning for an Associate degree. See the following pages for more information on these options and the Associate Degree Requirement chart.

Majors for an Associate in Science Degree include: biological science, chemistry, or technical/vocational programs. The Associate in Arts Degree is awarded for all other majors.

American Institutions and Ideals Requirement

Beginning with fall, 1983: The American Institutions and Ideals requirement for an associate degree may be cleared by earning a passing grade in POLSC 5LS or POLSC 6LS.

Ethnic/Multicultural Studies Requirement

The Ethnic/Multicultural Studies requirement was phased in over a transitional semester in Spring 1994 and became fully operational in Fall 1994. See associate degree requirement chart for a list of Ethnic/Multicultural studies courses. Students who are considering transferring should consult a counselor for further information.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

Satisfaction of the requirements defined in the Majors section, including completion of competency requirements, 12 units in residency, and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, qualifies a student for the Certificate of Achievement, if one is offered in that major.

Locally Approved Certificates

Other certificate options are available through various occupational programs. These certificates generally require less than 18 units of course work within the following major programs of study: Administration of Justice, Business, Computer Networking Technology, Computer Science, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, Management and Supervision. Travel Marketing, and Vocational Nursing. For information, contact a department chair or the Counseling Center.

Basic Skills/Competency Requirements

In order to receive an associate degree or a certificate of achievement from Los Medanos College, a student must meet College standards in mathematics, reading and interpreting material, writing expository essays, and computer literacy. The College has an open admissions policy; the competency requirements are designed to insure that every student has reached the standards of mathematics, reading, writing, and computer literacy expected of a Los Medanos College graduate.

Mathematics Competency Requirement

Students seeking an Associates of Arts degree or a Certificate of Achievement must satisfy the mathematics competency requirement by one of the following:

Associate Degree

1)     Complete Math 15 or Math 18 with grade of "C" or   better, or

2)     Complete Math 25A and Math 25B, both with grade of "C" or better, or

3)     Complete Math 25AX and Math 25BX, both with grade of "C" or better, or

4)     Complete Math 25 or higher with grade of "C" or      better, or

5)     Score a grade of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus Exam, or

6)     Pass the "Associate Degree Math Competency Exam."

Certificate of Achievement

1)     Complete Math 1 & Math 2, both with grade of "C" or better, or

2)     Complete Math 15 or Math 18 with grade of "C" or   better, or

3)     Complete Math 25A and Math 25B, both with grade of "C" or better, or

4)     Complete Math 25AX and Math 25BX, both with grade of "C" or better, or

5)     Complete Math 25 or higher with grade of "C" or      better, or

6)     Complete Bus 3 with a grade of "C" or better, or

7)     Score a grade of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus Exam, or

8)     Pass the "Certificate of Achievement Math Competency Exam."

The Math Competency Exam dates and times are available in the Assessment Center, Room CC1-119. If the student does not pass the test after three attempts, he or she must satisfy the requirement by completing a math class. For additional information and a list of practice questions, contact the Assessment Center Coordinator in Room CC1-119, or call 439-2181, extension 3252.

Reading and Writing Competency Requirements

Associate Degree

The reading/writing competency requirement is cleared when an "A", "B", or "C" grade is earned in ENGL 10S, required for an associate degree. A student earning below a "C" grade in ENGL 10S must pass a writing competency test given periodically in the Assessment Center, located in Room CC1-119.

Note: Only one English course below English 10S may apply to the associate degree.

Certificate of Achievement

Students seeking a Certificate of Achievement must satisfy reading and writing competency requirements by one of the following:

1)     Complete ENGL 9, ENGL 90, or ENGL 90A/B or ENGL 10S with a grade of "C" or better, or

2)     Place at the ENGL 10S level on the matriculation assessment, or

3)     Complete designated course in major program with a grade of "C" or better. Courses approved to satisfy the reading/writing competency are available in the following certificate programs:

         *   Art/Digital Publishing or Graphic Communications – ART5LS

         *   Business/Accounting, Office Administration, or Small Business Operations – BUS 58 or BUS 59

         *   Travel Marketing – BUS 58 or BUS 59, or

4)     Pass a major program exam available in the following departments: Appliance Service Technology, Automotive Technology, Child Development, and Welding Technology.

Computer Literacy Competency Requirement

Associate Degree and Certificate of Achievement

Computer literacy is a graduation requirement for a degree and for the Certificate of Achievement. This requirement includes an awareness component as well as an operations component. A student may satisfy the requirement by one of the following:

1)     "C" grade or better in COMSC 40, 49, 60 or 83, CNT 10, 11 or

2)     "C" grade or better in COMSC 41, 42, 43, or 46, prior to fall 1985, or

3)     "C" grade or better in BUS 18, 35, 65, 66, 67, 68, or

4)      "C" grade or better on a challenge examination in the area of computer awareness and evidence of operations experience in an LMC lab setting or similar situation. There are no prerequisites for attempting the challenge examination. The challenge exam may be taken once. Exam includes coverage of basic computer concepts, definitions of common computer terminology, explanations of microcomputer operating procedures, and an awareness of common social applications of computer technology. Students will be expected to demonstrate basic operating procedures on either an Intel-based PC or a Macintosh. Operating procedures competency will include both operating systems operations and applications software operations. See Computer Science area personnel for further information, or to schedule a test session.