Requirements for Graduation

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Students must satisfy the following criteria to be granted a certificate from SC4:

1. Complete the specific certificate program requirements as listed in the 2007-08 Catalog.

2. Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (credit hour requirements vary by program) with a GPA of 2.0 or above.

3. Complete a minimum of 10 credits at SC4 or through the Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative (MCCVLC).

ASSOCIATE DEGREES
Students must satisfy the following criteria to be granted an associate degree from SC4:

1. Complete the specific associate degree program requirements as listed in the 2007-08 Catalog.

2. Complete a minimum of 62 credit hours (credit hour requirements vary by program) with a GPA of 2 .0 or above.

3. Complete a minimum of 15 credits at SC4 or through the Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative (MCCVLC).

4. Complete all Competency Requirements (degree specific) with a final grade of C or above.

5. Complete all Degree Distribution Requirements (degree specific).

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
To prepare students to compete in a changing society, SC4 requires successful completion (C or above) of competencies in seven categories for all associate degrees granted. Definitions of the competencies are listed following this section. Competencies are required in the following categories:

• Computer Literacy (CL)

• Critical Thinking (CT) – 2 courses required

• Global Awareness (GA) – 2 courses required

• Government and the Political Process (GP)

• Mathematics (MA)

• Oral Communication (OC)

• Writing (WR) – 2 courses required

The competencies specific to each associate degree program are as follows:

Associate Degree Competency Requirements
Honors courses (i.e. CIS115H, PS101H, SPC101H, etc.) may also be used.

*or higher except CIS 160

COMPETENCY DEFINITIONS
Upon completion of an associate degree at SC4, a student will have met all of the competencies as listed:

1. COMPUTER LITERACY (CL) - is an ability to use a computer at a level appropriate to a student's academic and career needs.
   Outcomes: 1. Use the operating system commands. 2. Use word processing software to the extent assignments can be prepared in an acceptable form for a typical college course. 3. Create a simple spreadsheet using software. 4. Use a program that has a graphical user's Interface (for example, Windows). 5. Create a simple database using software.


2. CRITICAL THINKING (CT) – is an active process of carefully examining our thinking and the thinking of others in order to clarify and improve our understanding of ourselves and the world. Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate ability to recognize biases and assumptions, evaluate the reliability of evidence, and determine whether the evidence available can support some generalization(s). 2. Demonstrate ability to distinguish fact from opinion, determine the validity of reasoning, and make informed judgments and decisions. 3. Demonstrate an attitude of intellectual curiosity and skepticism, objectivity and open-mindedness, and flexibility to consider new ideas and different view points.


3. GLOBAL AWARENESS (GA) - gives the students a multi-cultural perspective; that is, students gain a measure of understanding about the cultures of other societies. In placing their own cultural assumptions in the context of an interdependent and diversified world view, students learn to respect different peoples and their lifestyles. Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of at least one cultural aspect of at least two non-U.S. societies. 2. Demonstrate an awareness of the interdependence of nations in respect to current global issues.


4. GOVERNMENT AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS (GP) – is the study of the organization and functioning of governmental and political systems.
   Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and functioning of the U.S., Michigan, and local governments. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. political system and electoral process. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of inter- national organizations and interrelationships.


5. MATHEMATICS (MA) – is the logical study of shape, arrangement, quantity, and space, and their inter-relationships, applications, generalizations, and abstractions.
   Outcome: Demonstrate ability to communicate, reason, and solve problems mathematically, at a level appropriate to their personal, employment, and academic needs.


6. ORAL COMMUNICATION (OC) – is the process of effectively transmitting and receiving ideas and information in a variety of situations.
   Outcomes: 1. Express ideas and knowledge in a manner others can understand. 2. Demonstrate ability to select a topic and organize a presentation with supporting material appropriate for purpose, audience, and occasion. 3. Use pronunciations, grammar, and articulation appropriate to audience and occasion. 4. Use nonverbal cues as necessary to support the verbal message. 5. Listen effectively.


7. WRITING (WR) - is a process of effectively selecting, developing, and arranging one's own ideas and those of others. The process requires students to compose ideas in a variety of forms for a variety of purposes and audiences. Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate ability to select, organize, and develop ideas in coherent essays and/or other forms (for example, letters, journals, essays, abstracts, reports, research, suitable for college work. 2. Demonstrate ability to vary writing style, including vocabulary and sentence structure for different audiences (for example, to inform, persuade, analyze). 3. Demonstrate ability to locate and gather information from primary and secondary sources and incorporate quotation, paraphrase, and summary from such sources into a properly documented paper. 4. Demonstrate ability to write informative, interpretative, analytical, and/or evaluative essays. 5. Demonstrate ability to write standard English using the principles of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 6. Demonstrate ability to analyze one's own writing skills and to know how to use resources such as a grammar handbook, a dictionary, and/or thesaurus to improve and revise one's writing.
   
8. ADDITIONAL COMPETENCY OPTIONS – SC4 recognizes a variety of non-course options, including Advanced Placement, CLEP, and Departmental Exams, which allow students to satisfy the competency requirements without taking an actual SC4 course. Interested students must contact the Student Success Center, Room 124 ATC, for details. The following list indicates the options currently available to satisfy each competency.

DEGREE DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the satisfactory completion of competency requirements, students must satisfy the degree distribution requirements specific to the program of study at SC4. Subject areas satisfying the Degree Distribution Requirements are divided into four groups as listed below:

Group I. Social Science: Anthropology, economics, geography (except GEO 101 and GEO 105), history, political science, psychology, sociology

Group II. Humanities: Literature (English 200 or above), foreign language, speech, arts (or ACD), music, theatre, philosophy, History 101, History 102

Group III. Biological Sciences: Agriculture, biology

Group IV. Physical Sciences: Astronomy, chemistry, earth science (GEO 101), meterology (GEO 105), geology, physics, physical science

Associate Degree Distribution Requirements