Associate in Science Degrees, Certificates and Applied Technology Diploma Programs

Associate in Science Degree (AS)

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  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 an advisor 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. Applied Technology Diploma (A.T.D.) students should work closely with an advisor to plan their studies in order to take advantage of both curricular options.

Graduation Requirements for A.S. Degree

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

• Complete the A.S. general education courses as appropriate to the program of study, including Speaking-Across-the-Curriculum , Technology-Across-the-Curriculum , minimum Gordon Rule course and minimum grade  requirements.
• Complete at least fifteen credits of the technical core courses and technical elective courses specified in the degree program at NWFSC, unless there is an established articulation agreement.
• Complete at least 25% of the credits at NWFSC.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 for all college credit course work pursued at NWFSC.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 for all college credit course work pursued, whether at NWFSC or by transfer.
• Complete A.S. General Education requirements (all Gordon Rule courses require a minimum grade of “C”).

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 request of the appropriate department chair to the Dean of Career and Technical Education.

College Credit Certificates and Applied Technology Diplomas (CCC and ATD)

College credit certificates and the ATD range from eleven (11) 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.

Career and Technical or Vocational Certificates (PSAV)

Career and technical or vocational certificates are comprised clock 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 and technical or vocational certificate 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 advisor to plan their studies in a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Graduation Requirements for Certificate and ATD Programs

To successfully complete a college credit or a career and technical or vocational certificate, the student must meet the following requirements.

1. Complete the courses and other requirements as specified in the program of study. (With advance approval, college credit courses may be substituted for equivalent vocational courses in any career and technical or vocational certificate.)
2. Complete at least 25% of the certificate coursework in residence at Northwest Florida State College.
3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.00 in all coursework pursued for the certificate.
4. Satisfy all other college graduation requirements.

In addition, students wishing to complete a career and technical or vocational certificate must demonstrate minimum skill levels in reading, communications, and mathematics, as measured by the TABE. The levels vary for each program of study.

Career Paths

All Associate in Science (AS) degrees have companion certificates (CCC) that can be used as career paths toward the AS degree. Students who complete one or more college credit certificate(s) in the career path have completed approximately 45%-50% of the course requirements in the companion A.S. degree. Students should meet with an academic advisor or a faculty advisor in the career area to explore these opportunities. A list of academic advisors and faculty advisors for each department can be found in the Advising section of the catalog.