Associate in Science Degrees (A.S.), Applied Technology Diploma (ATD), and Certificates/Career Certificate Programs (CCC/CCP)

Associate in Science Degree (A.S.)

The Associate in Science degree provides students with college credit curricula designed to prepare them for employment in various semi-professional, technical, and supervisory fields. The A.S. degree programs include a minimum of 60 college credit hours, of which at least 18 are general education courses. The A.S. degree is not generally intended for transfer; however, many students eventually pursue upper division study after completing the A.S. degree. In recognition of this practice, the general education courses required for the A.S. degree meet all applicable Gordon Rule , Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum , and Civic Literacy Competency  standards and minimum grade requirements; all are transferable as general education credits to upper division institutions in the Florida State University System. Many of the technical courses in the A.S. degree are also transferable, but students should work closely with a Student Success Navigator in selecting technical courses if transfer is an eventual goal.

Companion Certificate Programs

Many of the technical certificate programs offered by NWFSC provide the initial step in meeting selected course requirements for an A.S. degree in a related area. Courses from those certificates are the same as or equivalent to comparable courses in the companion degree program. Likewise, courses used in the degree program may be applied to a certificate in a related area; in many cases, completion of the technical courses in the degree program can automatically qualify the student to receive the companion certificate.

Graduation Requirements for an A.S. Degree

A.S. degree students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete the A.S. Degree General Education Requirements   ( Gordon Rule , Core,  Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum , and Civic Literacy Competency  courses require a minimum grade of “C”).
• Complete a minimum of 25% of the required coursework for each credential at NWFSC (15 - 19 credit hours of 1000 or 2000 level coursework depending on the total credit hours required of the program).
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional cumulative GPA in all undergraduate credit hours.

Customizing an A.S. to Meet a Specific Career Goal

In order to provide a student with the strongest technical background feasible, some technical courses within a given degree program may be adjusted to meet the student’s targeted career goal. In these special cases, course substitutions may be approved upon recommendation of the Department Chair/Program Director and approved by the appropriate dean.

Applied Technology Diploma (ATD)

In accordance with Rule 6A-10.024, Florida Administrative Code, ATD programs shall have a guaranteed transfer period of up to three years following the ATD award date. Applied technology diploma students entering an associate degree program shall meet the admissions standards as outlined in section 1007.263, F.S. Additional admissions requirements for limited access programs may be established by the Florida College System institution board of trustees.

Graduation Requirements for the ATD

To successfully complete an ATD, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Complete the courses and other requirements as specified in the program of study.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional cumulative GPA in all vocational credit hours.
• Satisfy all other college graduation requirements.

Career Certificate Program (CCP)

Career Certificate Programs are comprised of vocational credit hour courses and are designed to prepare students for direct entry into employment. The certificates are generally less than one year in length and are designed to prepare students for employment in selected occupational skill areas. The curriculum is heavily oriented toward problem solving and skill application. In certain circumstances, the skills acquired through completion of a Career Certificate Program may be articulated into comparable college credit work and applied to college credit certificate, or A.S. degree programs. Students should work closely with an Student Success Navigator to plan their studies in a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Graduation Requirements for a CCP

To successfully complete a CCP, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Complete the courses and other requirements as specified in the program of study.
• Complete a minimum of 25% of the required coursework for each credential at NWFSC (3 - 12 vocational credit hours depending on the total vocational credit hours required of the program).
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional cumulative GPA in all vocational credit hours.
• Satisfy all other college graduation requirements.
• In addition, students pursuing a CCP that is 15 or more vocational credit hours must demonstrate minimum skill levels in Math, Language, and Reading as measured by the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). The levels vary for each CCP.

College Credit Certificates (CCC)

College credit certificates range from nine (9) to forty-two (42) credits in length, although most are comprised of thirty (30) credits, and require approximately one academic year to complete. Courses in these certificates include professional and technical skills, with an emphasis on practical application.

Each of the NWFSC credit certificates is paired with a companion A.S. degree program. Upon successful completion of the college credit certificate, the student may receive credit toward approximately 45% to 50% of the course requirements in the companion degree program. Conversely, students who successfully complete the technical credits within a companion degree program may qualify for graduation from the appropriate certificate program. In this manner, students may receive two graduation credentials from the college. Students should work closely with an advisor to plan their studies in a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Graduation Requirements for a College Credit Certificate (CCC)

To successfully complete a CCC, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Complete the courses and other requirements as specified in the program of study.
• Complete a minimum of 25% of the required coursework for each credential at NWFSC (3 - 11 credit hours of 1000 or 2000 level coursework depending on the total credit hours required for the program).
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional cumulative GPA in all undergraduate credit hours.
• Satisfy all other college graduation requirements.

Certificate to A.S. Degree Career Paths

Many of the technical certificate programs offered by NWFSC provide the initial step in meeting selected course requirements for an A.S. degree in a related area. Courses from those certificates are the same as or equivalent to comparable courses in the companion degree program. Likewise, courses used in the degree program may be applied to a certificate in a related area; in many cases, completion of the technical courses in the degree program can automatically qualify the student to receive the companion certificate.

A.S. degrees that have corresponding articulated certificates are:

• Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer (Basic)
• Correctional Officer (Basic)
• Law Enforcement Officer (Basic)
• Firefighter I/II
• Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician
• Medical Coder/Biller
• Welding

The companion college credit certificates are automatically added to the students’ program of study upon admission to the A.S. program. Once the student has met all course requirements for the companion certificate, they will be reviewed during the auto-graduation process. Students who have met all the requirements for a certificate will automatically be awarded the applicable credential at the end of the semester in which all certificate requirements have been fulfilled.