Programs of Study
Las Positas College is authorized by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to confer the Associate Degree, Associate Degree for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Accomplishment, Certificate of Competency, and Certificate of Completion upon students who complete the necessary requirements. For a list of all Degree and Certificate Programs see the “Degree and Certificate” chart in this Catalog. See an academic counselor for further information. Grades earned in non-degree applicable courses will not be used in calculating a student’s degree applicable GPA.
Associate Degree
Las Positas College offers the Associate Degree (AD), which consists of the Associate of Arts (AA) degree and Associate of Science (AS) degree. These degrees include career technical education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry and local programs designed as a record of academic achievement. The AS is primarily for any Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field and Career Education programs while the AA is primarily for all other disciplines.
The Associate Degree is conferred upon students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. As part of the 60 or more units, students must complete the Las Positas College Associate Degree General Education (ADGE) pattern. ADGE courses are grouped into several broad areas and are designed to cultivate intellect and imagination and to broaden awareness of the relationship and interdependence of ideas and disciplines. Instead of following the ADGE pattern, students may earn the degree by following the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern, but this may require students to take more overall units to earn the degree. Please check with your Counselor to determine which general education pattern is right for you. All courses for the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better.
Associate Degree for Transfer
Las Positas College offers the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which consists Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree. These degrees are transfer preparation programs designed to prepare students for transfer to the California State University (CSU) system in a similar baccalaureate program. Students who are awarded an ADT are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. In addition to the guaranteed admission, students will be given a special GPA advantage. Students who have been awarded an ADT are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units for programs deemed similar to the ADT. To view the most current list of Las Positas College ADTs and to find out which CSU campuses accept each degree, please go to www.sb1440.org. Current and prospective students are encouraged to meet with a Counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
The Associate Degree for Transfer is conferred upon students who complete the 60 semester units of the degree pattern that are eligible for transfer to the California State University with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. As part of the 60 units, students must complete Cal-GETC pattern. All courses for the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better.
Certificate of Achievement
Las Positas College offers the Certificate of Achievement. These certificates include career technical education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry and local programs designed as a record of academic achievement.
The Certificate of Achievement is conferred upon students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better and complete at least 50% of the program requirements within the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District of which at least one course must be completed at Las Positas College.
Certificate of Accomplishment
Las Positas College offers the Certificate of Accomplishment. These certificates include career technical education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry and local programs designed as a record of academic achievement. Individual courses will appear on a student’s transcript. The name of the certificate and completion of industry-based professional development will also be noted.
The Certificate of Accomplishment is conferred upon students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better and completes at least 50% of the program requirements within the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District of which at least one course must be completed at Las Positas College.
Certificate of Competency
A Certificate of Competency is a noncredit certificate intended for students who do not need credit for transfer or for employment but wish to improve their basic skills in English or Mathematics or learn English as a second language.
The Certificate of Competency is conferred upon students who successfully complete at least the capstone course for the certificate with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is a noncredit certificate intended for students who do not need credit for transfer but who wish to obtain the knowledge and preparation of skills needed for entry level positions in the workforce or obtain short-term vocational skills needed for immediate employment.
The Certificate of Completion is conferred upon students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better.
General Education Reciprocity Program with Community Colleges
Las Positas College has entered into a mutual agreement with nine other local community colleges to accept the completed Associate Degree General Education (ADGE) pattern of these colleges as completed for Las Positas College. The other participating colleges are:
Chabot College (Hayward), DeAnza College (Cupertino), Evergreen Valley College (San Jose), Foothill College (Los Altos Hills), Gavilan College (Gilroy), Mission College (Santa Clara), Ohlone College (Fremont), San Jose City College (San Jose), and West Valley College (Saratoga).
Effective fall 2007, students who obtain an official General Education Reciprocity Program Certification (which verifies completion of ADGE) or complete an associate degree at any one of the participating colleges will have their ADGE course work accepted as completing Las Positas College’s ADGE pattern for the Associate of Arts and/or the Associate of Science Degree.
No additional general education course work will be required if the certification is officially presented. Students will still be required to complete all courses and prerequisites needed for their major. The agreement also means that the other participating colleges will accept the completed Las Positas College's ADGE pattern if an official General Education Reciprocity Program Certification is presented at any of the member colleges. Students must request certification in the Counseling Department. This agreement is reviewed periodically.
Petition to Graduate
At least one semester before the scheduled graduation ceremony, students should schedule an appointment with a counselor to check their progress in fulfilling the graduation requirements and arrange to complete the appropriate application for graduation. Official transcripts from other colleges must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office, for coursework to be considered in meeting graduation requirements at Las Positas College. For graduation purposes only, total attempted and completed units transferred from other colleges will be included in determining a student’s overall cumulative grade-point average (GPA).
Students may receive degrees or certificates at the end of any semester or the end of summer session. Students should petition no later than the tenth instructional week of the semester in which they plan to complete the requirements. Deadline dates are listed in the College Calendar (printed in the Class Schedule). “Request for Degree or Certificate” forms are available at the Admissions and Records Office or on the Las Positas College website.
Commencement Exercises are held in late May or early June. All students receiving degrees and/or certificates are cordially invited to participate.