The awarding of a degree at MiraCosta represents more than an accumulation of units. It also symbolizes a successful attempt on the part of the college to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights. Students who graduate with a degree from MiraCosta possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest and career pursuit.
The associate degree is designed to prepare students either for transfer to a four-year college or university or for immediate employment. Although the associate degree recognizes the completion of lower-division course requirements, it does not guarantee admission to a four-year college or university. The academic and career education disciplines for which MiraCosta offers an associate degree are identified on the Degrees & Certificate Programs table.
Students who wish to earn an associate degree from MiraCosta must meet the following requirements (per MCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 4100).
Students must complete a minimum of 18 units in a chosen major or area of emphasis and complete each course with a "C" or better (or a "P" if the course is taken on a "pass/no pass" basis). Courses completed with a C- from U.S. regionally accredited colleges may be used to complete this requirement. Students may use courses to satisfy both a general education and a major requirement.
Students have three general education patterns from which to choose but are strongly encouraged to consult with a MiraCosta counselor for assistance in selecting the general education pattern that is most appropriate for their educational goal. Note: Students should refer to the Articulation or Transfer Center webpages for the most current list of courses that have been approved for the Plan B and Plan C general education patterns.
While a course might satisfy more than one general education requirement, it may not be counted more than once for these purposes. However, courses may be used to satisfy both a general education and a major requirement.
The MiraCosta College Core Competencies identify the learning outcomes students can expect to gain from their general education coursework.
*The Plan A general education requirement may be met by submitting a transcript verifying completion of a bachelor's or an associate degree from a United States regionally accredited college or university.
Students must complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units of credit.
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all degree applicable units attempted at MiraCosta, as well as a combined 2.0 grade point average including all work transferred to the college. A grade of "A," "B," "C," or "P" is required for all courses to be counted toward an associate degree major or area of emphasis; however, courses completed with a C- from U.S. regionally accredited colleges may be used to complete this requirement.
Students may need a higher GPA for admission to a University of California campus or to UC/CSU impacted programs and majors than is required for MiraCosta's associate degree.
Complete a minimum of 12 degree applicable units in residence at MiraCosta College.
All students seeking an associate degree must demonstrate competence in reading, written expression, and mathematics. However, achievement of minimum competency does not mean students have met coursework requirements for the associate degree.
Note: These competencies are also met when students complete either the CSU GE-Breadth (Plan B) or IGETC (Plan C) general education pattern or submit an official transcript verifying completion of a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
Reading competency must be demonstrated by presenting proof of achieving one of the following:
Writing competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following:
Math competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following options:
Mathematics competency can also be met through the use of multiple measures established by the college, whereby a student is placed into a mathematics course numbered MATH 102 or above or is determined to have previously completed coursework comparable to a MiraCosta College course that is designated as meeting the mathematics competency requirement.
Students who are in progress to complete or who have previously been awarded a MiraCosta associate degree may be qualified for an additional associate degree under the following circumstances:
Students may earn multiple degrees concurrently provided the above criteria is met.
(Source: MCCD Administrative Procedure 4100.)
1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
View Map
1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
View Map
3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
View Map
2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
View Map
Print this page.
The PDF will include all information unique to this page.
A PDF of the entire catalog.