Academic Procedures and Requirements

Degree Requirements

Associate of Applied Science Degree Requirements (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is an occupational degree and is the only degree FVCC awards with a specified area of emphasis.

To earn the Associate of Applied Science degree, the following must be met:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours.
  2. Completion of course requirements as outlined for the specific AAS program listed in the “Programs” section of the catalog, which include three Related Instruction requirements: Communication (one speaking, one writing), Interactions, and Quantitative Literacy.
  3. Final cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. A grade of “C-” or better is required for all program requirements unless otherwise stated.
  4. At least 20 semester credits earned at FVCC.
  5. A limit of 15 semester credits graded “S” may count toward the AAS degree, excluding AP and IB credits. Some programs may further limit “S” grades.
  6. Courses within the department “SR” (Senior) cannot be used toward an AAS degree.

Note: Substitutions for Related Instruction requirements must have approval from the Program Director. In most cases, Division Chair and General Education Team approval is also required.

(One course cannot satisfy more than two Related Instruction areas.)

Certificate of Applied Science Degree Requirements (CAS)

To earn a Certificate of Applied Science, the following must be met:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours for each certificate.
  2. Completion of course requirements as outlined for the specific CAS program listed in the “Programs” section of the catalog, which include three Related Instruction requirements: Communication (only one course required, speaking or writing), Interactions, and Quantitative Literacy.
  3. Final cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. A grade of “C-” or better is required for all program requirements unless otherwise stated.
  4. At least one-third of the program credits must be earned at FVCC.
  5. A limit of one-fourth of the semester credits graded “S” may count toward a CAS, excluding AP and IB credits. Some programs may further limit “S” grades.
  6. Courses within the department “SR” (Senior) cannot be used toward a CAS.

Note: Substitutions for Related Instruction requirements must have approval from the Program Director. In most cases, Division Chair and General Education Team approval is also required.

(One course cannot satisfy more than two Related Instruction areas.)

Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) Requirements

To earn a Certificate of Technical Studies, the following must be met:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 16 semester credit hours.
  2. Completion of course requirements as outlined for the specific CTS program listed in the “Programs” section of the catalog.
  3. Final cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. A grade of “C-” or better is required for all program requirements unless otherwise stated.
  4. At least one-third of the program credits must be earned at FVCC.
  5. A limit of one-fourth of the semester credits graded “S” may count toward a CTS, excluding AP and IB credits. Some programs may further limit “S” grades.
  6. Courses within the department “SR” (Senior) cannot be used toward a CTS.

Related Instruction