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Associate Degree Requirements

Associate Degree Requirements

Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degrees

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

Requirements

Students who wish to earn an associate degree from MiraCosta must meet the following requirements (per MCCD Board Policy/Administrative Procedure 4100).

Major & Grades

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. 

General Education

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.

  • Plan A: MiraCosta College General Education Course Requirements (Plan A).*
  • Plan B: Certified California State University General Education (CSU-GE) Breadth Course Requirements (Plan B).
  • Plan C: Certified Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Course Requirements (Plan C).

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.

Units

Students must complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units of credit.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

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.

Residency

Complete a minimum of 12 degree applicable units in residence at MiraCosta College.

Competencies

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

Reading competency must be demonstrated by presenting proof of achieving one of the following:

  • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement English Examination.
  • A score of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English Test.
  • Completion of one of the following with a minimum grade of "C" or "P": READ 100; ENGL 100, ENGL 100HENGL 201, ENGL 201H, ENGL 202, ENGL 202H; or equivalent.

Writing

Writing competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following:

  • Present proof of achieving one of the following minimum test scores:
    • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement English Examination.
    • A score of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate English Language A1 Higher Level Examination.
  • Complete one of the following with a minimum grade of "C" or "P" at MiraCosta or an equivalent course at another regionally accredited college: ENGL 100, ENGL 100HENGL 201, ENGL 201H, ENGL 202, ENGL 202H.

Mathematics

Math competency must be demonstrated by completing one of the following options:

  • Pass a MiraCosta mathematics course numbered 102 through 270 or equivalent with a minimum grade of "C" or "P."
  • Achieve a qualifying score on a California community college mathematics assessment exam that gives clear placement into a math course that requires intermediate algebra as a prerequisite or has a traceable prerequisite to intermediate algebra.
  • Pass a MiraCosta College course approved for Plan A, Area A2 that has the prerequisite of elementary algebra.
  • Present proof of achieving one of the following minimum test scores:
    • A passing score on the College Board Mathematics Achievement Test (500 Level I; 600 Level II).
    • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Math Examination.
    • A minimum score of 50 on a College-Level Examination Program Subject Exam (College Algebra, Pre-calculus, or Calculus).
    • A score of 4 or better on an International Baccalaureate Mathematics Examination.

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.

Multiple Degrees

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:

  • The additional degree represents a new major.
  • Each degree has at least 12 mutually exclusive units. Note: This requirement does not apply to Associate Degrees for Transfer.
  • All degree requirements have been met including residency, with at least 12 units completed in the new major, at MiraCosta College.

Students may earn multiple degrees concurrently provided the above criteria is met.

(Source: MCCD Administrative Procedure 4100.)

Campus Locations

MiraCosta Community Learning Center

1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Oceanside Campus Building

1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta San Elijo Campus

3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Technology Career Institute Building

2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
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