Degrees and Certificates
SLCC offers the following degrees:
Associate of Arts
Associate of Science
Associate of Pre-Engineering
Associate of Applied Science
SLCC also offers the following certificates:
Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Proficiency
Certificate of Achievement
Each of the following definitions includes the applicable requirements from Utah State Board of Regents policy R401.
Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees
Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are programs of study approved by the Board of Regents that are primarily intended to encourage exploration of academic options and prepare students for upper-division work in baccalaureate programs and/or for employment. A minimum of 61 total credits, including a minimum of 34 credits of general education coursework and 27 credits of other coursework, are required for completion of these degrees at SLCC. Individual programs may specify in their catalog entries whether general education credits beyond the 34-credit minimum can be counted toward the 61 credits of coursework necessary to earn the associate’s degree; where not specified, excess general education credits can be counted. The Associate of Arts degree requires successful completion of any language course at the 1020 level or higher as part of the 27 credits beyond general education. Associate’s degrees are no more than 63 credits in length unless an exception has been granted by the Board of Regents. Pre-majors, which consist of recommendations for specific courses to take at SLCC in preparation for a particular baccalaureate major, are defined in a variety of areas as outlined in this catalog.
The Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are called “transfer” degrees because they satisfy the lower division general education requirements and select pre-major requirements for a baccalaureate degree at all public institutions of the Utah System of Higher Education. However, completion of an AS or AA degree at SLCC does not guarantee automatic acceptance into a specific major when transferring; some four-year programs are restricted and may require a special application, a competitive GPA, or other admission requirements.
SLCC continually strives to articulate course offerings with other colleges and universities in Utah and elsewhere so that a course taken at SLCC is counted equivalently at other institutions. SLCC academic advisors and advisors at a student’s intended transfer institution can assist students with specific course articulation information. For further information about transferring, see the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
Associate of Pre-Engineering (APE) Degrees
Associate of Pre-Engineering (APE) degrees are programs of study approved by the Board of Regents that are intended to prepare students to initiate upper-division work in baccalaureate engineering programs. APE degrees require significant specialized coursework and general education requirements that may be less extensive than in AA or AS degrees. Because students might not fully complete SLCC’s general education requirements while completing a specialized associate’s degree, they are expected to satisfy remaining general education requirements in addition to upper-division baccalaureate requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree. Generally, graduates of SLCC’s Associate of Pre-Engineering programs transfer seamlessly into engineering majors at public institutions of the Utah System of Higher Education. In some cases, students must select specific courses at SLCC depending upon where they intend to transfer; see engineering program descriptions for specific program requirements.
Completing an APE degree does not guarantee automatic acceptance into an engineering major at other colleges and universities. Most four-year engineering programs are restricted and require a special application and a competitive GPA.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degrees
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are programs of study approved by the Board of Regents that are primarily intended to prepare students for entry-level careers. A minimum of 63 and a maximum of 69 credit hours are required for completion of these degrees. At SLCC, the AAS degree requires a minimum of 14 credits of general education coursework (11-14 credits in core academic skills and 3-6 credits in distribution courses). Many of the courses contained in AAS degrees will transfer to other institutions due to articulation agreements. Check with individual department coordinators or academic advisors for specific transfer information. Some Utah institutions will also accept credits from certain AAS degrees and apply them toward baccalaureate degree programs. Students who complete an AAS degree may complete additional general education courses to obtain an AS degree from SLCC.
An AAS Emphasis indicates a specific subject or focus area within a defined AAS program. The emphasis requirements fulfill the requirements for the AAS degree and are indicated as an emphasis of the AAS degree on a student’s transcript and diploma, e.g., “Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Technology/CAD and Computer Graphics Emphasis.”
Certificates of Completion
Certificates of Completion are programs of study approved by the Board of Regents that consist of a coherent sequence of courses typically one year in length (30-33 semester credit hours or 900-990 clock hours). Based on compelling reasons, exceptions to the maximum credit hour requirement may be granted by the Regents. Certificates of Completion may be entry-level or may require prerequisites of related industry experience and/or previous course work or degree attainment. Certificates of Completion include clearly identifiable instructional components in communication, computation, and human relations. These components can either be standalone general education courses or embedded within other program courses.
Certificates of Proficiency
Certificates of Proficiency are programs of study approved by the Board of Regents that consist of a coherent sequence of courses typically less than one year in length (16-29 semester credit hours or 600-899 clock hours). Certificates of Proficiency may be entry-level or may require prerequisites of related industry experience and/or previous course work or degree attainment. Certificates of Proficiency are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Certificates of Achievement
Certificates of Achievement are programs of study not requiring approval by the Board of Regents that result in a certificate issued by an individual department/division/school and not under the authority of the Board of Regents. These are typically designed to meet immediate workforce training or community education needs. Certificates of Achievement are not recorded on an SLCC transcript, do not become part of a student’s permanent academic record, and are not eligible for federal financial aid. A Certificate of Achievement has no minimum or maximum length requirements or minimum general education requirements.
General Education Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion in General Education meets the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) general education requirements as outlined in Board of Regents Policy R470. The Certificate provides verification to all USHE institutions that the student has satisfied the lower division general education requirements of an AS or AA degree. The Certificate of Completion in General Education is awarded when a student completes all of the general education requirements for an AA or AS degree as described below. Students must complete 9 credit hours or 25% of the required credits directly from SLCC, must hold matriculated status, and must earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. This Certificate of Completion is not a stand-alone program; students seeking a degree should enroll in their program of choice.
Stackable Credentials
Just as an AA or AS degree can be used to fulfill some of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree, certificates can be used to fulfill requirements of many degrees. In some cases, two or more certificates can be “stacked” together to fulfill the requirements for an AA, AS, or AAS degree. In other cases, certificates are meant to be “stacked onto” other degrees to give a student additional skill sets. Check with the appropriate program advisor for additional information.
SAMPLE SCHEDULES
Most two-year degrees can be completed in four semesters if a student enrolls full time (15 credits or more). Students must carefully plan their schedules based on required prerequisites and class availability. Consulting with an SLCC academic advisor is recommended for such planning. Sample schedules are included with each program catalog entry. |
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) includes a wide range of programs, either credit or non-credit, specifically designed to prepare students to enter the workforce immediately upon completion. Every AAS degree, Diploma, and Certificate program at SLCC is a CTE program. Students in CTE programs are highly recruited by business and industry. SLCC has relationships with many employers in the community and can help CTE graduates enter a career upon graduation. Industry leaders serve on the 48 Program Advisory Committees that advise SLCC’s CTE programs on curriculum and workforce preparation issues. In some cases, students may be hired before they graduate and are able to complete their education at an employer’s expense. Many CTE and university graduates return to SLCC for recertification or continuing education throughout their careers.
SLCC partners with more than 30 local high schools and allows students to begin CTE training during high school through SLCC’s concurrent enrollment program. Concurrent enrollment allows students to earn high school and college credit at the same time, expediting their entry into the workforce.
To learn more about SLCC Career and Technical Education opportunities go to www.slcc.edu/cte.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship students attend class two times a week in the evening and work in a paid industry position during the day. Students must be employed in a qualifying trade and (in most cases) sponsored by their local trade union. Total completion of an Apprenticeship program may take three to five years depending upon the trade. High School Concurrent Enrollment is available in some trades.
Apprenticeship Department
Taylorsville Redwood Campus
Construction Trades Building, Room 274
(801) 957-4066
www.slcc.edu/apprenticeship
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE) focuses on programs designed to meet the needs of community members, business, industry, agencies, and working professionals. Programs range from on-going career oriented programs to customized training focused on development of a particular skill. CE also delivers on-site programs and courses for many employers.
Division of Continuing Education
Miller Campus
9750 S 300 W
Sandy, UT 84070
(801) 957-5303
www.slcccontinuinged.com
School of Applied Technology
The School of Applied Technology offers a variety of non-credit CTE courses and programs ranging from 10 to over 1200 clock hours in length at five SLCC campuses/centers. It also offers classes in Adult Basic Education (Reading, Writing, and Math), GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) and other vocational preparation basic skills courses. All programs are VA eligible and most programs 600 clock hours in length or longer are eligible for federal financial aid.
School of Applied Technology
South City Campus
1575 South State Street, Room 1-061
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115-1610
(801) 957-3354
www.slcc.edu/sat
COURSE NUMBERING INFORMATION
Courses at Salt Lake Community College are identified by an alphabetic prefix (two to four letters) followed by a four-digit number. Numbers beginning with a “1” generally indicate a course designed primarily for freshman (such as ENGL 1010 ); numbers beginning with a “2” generally indicate courses designed primarily for sophomores (such as MATH 2010 ); numbers beginning with a “0” are non-transferable (such as DE 0990 ) and do not count towards hours for degrees or certificates. |
General Education
Why General Education?
General education courses teach basic skills and broaden students’ knowledge of a wide range of subjects. Education is much more than the acquisition of facts; it is gaining the strategies and skills to use information in meaningful ways in order to enrich one’s life. Students become truly educated through making connections across disciplines. The General Education Learning Outcomes mirror the College-Wide Unified Learning Outcomes. Through the General Education program, students at SLCC will:
- Acquire substantive knowledge throughout the general education requirements.
- Communicate effectively.
Students communicate effectively. This includes developing critical literacies-reading, writing, speaking, listening, visual understanding-that they can apply in various contexts; organizing and presenting ideas and information visually, orally, and in writing according to standard usage; and understanding and using the elements of effective communication in interpersonal, small group, and mass settings.
- Develop quantitative literacies necessary for their chosen field of study.
Students develop quantitative literacies necessary for their chosen field of study. This includes approaching practical problems by choosing and applying appropriate mathematical techniques; using information represented as data, graphs, tables, and schematics in a variety of disciplines; and applying mathematical theory, concepts, and methods of inquiry appropriate to program-specific problems.
- Think critically and creatively.
Students think critically and creatively. This includes reasoning effectively from available evidence; demonstrating effective problem solving; engaging in creative thinking, expression, and application; engaging in reflective thinking and expression; demonstrating higher-order skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation; making connections across disciplines; and applying scientific methods to the inquiry process.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to be a community engaged learner and scholar.
Students develop the knowledge and skills to be civically engaged. This includes understanding the natural, political, historical, social, and economic underpinnings of the campus, local, national, and global communities to which they belong; developing the awareness of both civil rights and civil responsibilities for individual and collective action in a democracy; engaging in service-learning for community building and an enhanced academic experience; and developing the knowledge and skills to take leadership roles.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional constructive manner.
Students develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional and constructive manner. This includes engaging with a diverse set of others to produce professional work; interacting competently across cultures; understanding and appreciating human differences; and understanding and acting on standards of professionalism and civility, including the SLCC Student Code of Conduct.
- Develop computer and information literacy.
Students develop computer and information literacy. This includes using contemporary computer hardware and software to effectively complete college-level assignments; gathering and analyzing information using technology, library resources, and other modalities; understanding and acting upon ethical and security principles with respect to computer technology and to information acquisition and distribution; and distinguishing between credible and noncredible sources of information and using the former in their work in an appropriately documented fashion.
- Develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong wellness.
Students develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong wellness. This includes understanding the importance of physical activity and its connection to lifelong wellness and learning how participation in a fitness, sport, or leisure activity results in daily benefits including stress reduction, endorphin release, and a sense of well-being.
General Education ePortfolio
Electronic Portfolios (ePortfolios) are a course-level requirement in all general education courses at SLCC. Students in each general education course will be asked to put at least one signature assignment into his/her ePortfolio. As students take general education courses, they will build a showcase of their breadth and depth of knowledge and skills.
Instructors will also ask students to reflect on the signature assignment put in the portfolio, on its connection to other general education assignments, on the students’ own intellectual growth, on the connection between general education and the program of study, and/or on progress toward SLCC’s college-wide learning outcomes. Moreover, the General Education ePortfolio will allow students to document goals, extracurricular activities, and work in their program and elective courses.
While instructors are responsible for making assignments, helping students complete them successfully, and grading them, faculty are not responsible for helping the student build the ePortfolio itself. SLCC has ePortfolio labs with expert staff, workshops and online tutorials that can help. For more information about this help and the overall General Education ePortfolio initiative, visit www.slcc.edu/gened/eportfolio.
| TRANSFER NOTE: SLCC’s AS or AA degrees satisfy the lower division general education requirements for a Baccalaureate degree at Utah’s public colleges and universities as well as Brigham Young University and Westminster College. Students who transfer without the AS or AA degree may elect to complete SLCC’s general education requirements and obtain a General Education Certificate of Completion, which will also be recognized by Utah’s public colleges and universities as satisfying lower-division general education requirements. Students transferring to BYU without an AS or AA degree should obtain advising in the selection of general education courses. |
SLCC General Education Course Categories
Core Skills
Core Skills courses required for AA and AS degrees are Composition (EN), Quantitative Literacy (QL), and American Institutions (AI). These core courses are required at every institution in the Utah System of Higher Education.
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities requires clearly identifiable instructional components in communication, computation, and human relations for any program a year or more in length. Core Skills courses required for AAS degrees are Composition (EN), Communication (CM), Quantitative Studies (QS), and Human Relations (HR). Certificate of Completion programs require courses in Communication (CM), Quantitative Studies (QS), and Human Relations (HR); these requirements can also be fulfilled through general education instruction embedded in program courses.
Institutional Requirements
In addition to core skills courses, AA and AS degrees at SLCC require students to take courses in the following categories: Lifelong Wellness (LW), Student Choice (IN or Depth), and General Education Distribution Areas (BS, FA, HU, ID, PS, SS). Students must complete one Diversity (DV) course within their selection of Distribution courses.
- The Lifelong Wellness (LW) requirement can be fulfilled by completing a course with the LW designation or by submitting a DD 214 document from the military.
- The Student Choice category allows students to choose between taking a Depth course or an Intensive course (IN). A Depth course is a second course in any of the General Education Distribution Areas and may fulfill the Diversity requirement if marked with (DV). Intensive Courses (IN) are listed in the AS/AA general education outline above.
- AA and AS degrees at SLCC require students to take a total of six courses (18 credit hours) in the General Education Distribution Areas, with one course from each of the following areas: Biological Sciences (BS), Fine Arts (FA), Humanities (HU), Physical Science (PS), Social Sciences (SS), and Interdisciplinary (ID). Within the six courses (or the Depth course), students must take at least one Diversity course that critically examines the history, contributions of and challenges confronting diverse groups within our multicultural society. These diversity courses are marked with (DV) in the General Education Distribution Areas course listing that follows.
- AAS degrees at SLCC require students to take one to two courses (3 to 6 credits) from the list of General Education Distribution Areas.
General Education Distribution Areas
Associate of Science (AS)/Associate of Arts (AA) Degree General Education Requirements
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree General Education Requirements
Associate of Pre-Engineering Degree (APE) General Education Requirements
The Associate of Pre-Engineering degree is a specialized associate degree that requires reduced general education requirements. Students will be required to satisfy remaining general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree at the transfer (receiving) institution or SLCC. Unless specified by program, courses can meet multiple degree requirements. SLCC engineering students should meet with the SLCC Engineering Advisor as well as a transfer advisor from the receiving institution regarding general education requirements specific to Engineering majors.
Certificate of Completion or Diploma General Education Requirements
Any program of 30 semester credit hours or more must contain communication, computation, and human relations components as outlined by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This requirement may be met in a variety of ways as prescribed by each program. Unless specified by program, courses can meet multiple degree requirements. See individual program descriptions for specific course requirements.
Service Learning Courses
Service-Learning combines community service with academic instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking, and personal and civic responsibility. Service-Learning programs involve students in activities that address community-identified needs, while developing their academic skills and commitment to their community” -American Association of Community Colleges.
Service-learning is a method of teaching recognized as contributing to one of the primary general education learning outcomes at SLCC. SLCC has a process for designating service-learning courses. Designated service-learning courses are listed below.
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