Upcoming Changes to the Associate Degree:

1
Upcoming Changes to the Associate Degree

• Michelle Pilati, Rio Hondo College

2
A Little Background

• What is the Meaning of a California Community
  College Degree? (F05)
• Proposal to Revise the Use of Certificates (S99)
• Associate Degree Task Force
• Associate Degree Workgroup

3
2006 Resolutions - PASSED

• Oppose degrees based solely on IGETC or CSU/GE
  (AKA GE Compilation degrees)
• Minimum of C in area of emphasis
• Eliminate transfer in title

4
2006 Resolutions - FAILED

• Single Degree Title
• Define Associate of Arts and Associate of
  Science in Title 5

5
2007 Spring

• 9.01 Defining the Types of Associate Degrees
• Resolved, That ASCCC support and establish
  statewide definitions for the types of associate
  degrees offered by California community colleges.

6
Proposed Title 5 Changes

• Area of Emphasis (55063)
• Degree-Applicability (55062)
• IGETC/CSU GE (55063)
• Minimum Grade of C (55063)
• Certificates (55070)

7
Status of Title 5 Changes?

• Area of Emphasis (55063)
• Degree-Applicability (55062)
• IGETC/CSU GE (55063)
• Minimum Grade of C (55063)
• Certificates (55070)

8
Program and Course Approval Handbook Changes

• Changes to Title 5 needed BEFORE Handbook can be
  revised
• Will follow Title 5 changes
• So, where are we now?
• Language regarding GE compilation degrees deemed
  controversial

9
IGETC/CSU GE

• Whether or not prohibited by current Title 5
  subject to interpretation
• NOT permitted per Minimum Conditions Compliance
  Advice Legal Advisory 05-05
• Minimum Requirements for the Associate Degree (
  55806). 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. 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.

10
Area of Emphasis

• What is it?
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

11
Concerns of the Field

• What happens to existing degrees based solely on
  IGETC or CSU/GE?
• What is the timeline for implementation?
• What about LDTP?
• What recognition will there be for completion of
  IGETC or CSU/GE?

12

• Questions?