Associate of Applied Science Degrees AAS and Certificates

The two-year AAS degree provides career skills to enable students to enter the job market after graduation, retrain in a new career, or upgrade employment skills. Occupational courses are designed to meet these needs instead of transferring to four-year institutions; however, many four-year institutions accept some of these courses. Check with the receiving institution if planning to transfer these courses.

Occupational training is available in fewer than two years through our certificate programs. Certificates are awarded for several types of training outlined in the next section of this catalog. Certificate programs vary in length from one to three academic terms.

AAS Requirements

1. A minimum of 60 credit hours in a prescribed program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a C average). At least 15 of these credit hours must be earned from PPSC. See specific degree program for additional requirements. Credits must have been earned within 10 years.
2. A minimum of 15 credit hours (of the 60 total) of General Education Electives for AAS Degrees and Certificates list will be chosen by the faculty for specific degrees.
3. Degree is intended to prepare students to enter skilled and/or paraprofessional occupations and is not intended for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree; however, some courses may transfer to some institutions. Academic advisors should be consulted for further information.
4. Courses used as electives in meeting degree requirements and taken in addition to those courses specified in a particular program are not accepted toward this degree without approval of the Vice President for Instructional Services. Approval is given only when it is appropriate to the educational objectives of a student.
5. A maximum of four (4) credit hours in any combination of PED activity courses.
6. Specific degree requirements are listed with each program in the next section of this catalog.
7. Courses numbered below 1000 normally may not apply toward degrees.

Certificate Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a C average).
2. A minimum of six (6) credit hours in the area of specialization earned from PPSC for programs requiring six (6) hours or more. Credits must have been earned within 10 years. Credits earned over ten years will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
3. Courses numbered below 1000 normally may not apply toward certificate.