Graduation Requirements

Degrees and Certificates

* Associate in Arts
* Associate in Science
* Associate in Fine Arts
* Associate in Applied Arts
* Associate in Applied Science
* Associate in General Studies
* Associate in Business Studies
* Dual Degree
* Certificate of Completion
* Certificate of Achievement
* Advanced Certificate
* Post Associate Certificate

Basic Requirements

1. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of “C” (2.0) in the programs required to complete a specific Associate Degree, Certificate or Certification Program. Students in the occupational curricula must earn a minimum of “C” (2.0) or higher in specified courses. These courses are identified in Section III, Academic Programs.
2.  Fulfill all of the prescribed requirements of the specific program including courses, credit hours, grades, and/or hours of attendance. See Section III, Academic Programs. (Courses numbered below 100 do not count towards graduation.)
3. Earn a minimum of 62 credits.
4. Successfully complete six credits in content-area writing courses.* Students with previously-earned degrees from regionally accredited colleges and universities are exempt from this policy. Students enrolled prior to Fall 1988, even if they have not maintained continuous attendance, are also exempt from this policy.
5. Successfully complete two credits of Lifelong Wellness: LW --- (2 credits), or LW --- (1 credit) and any LWA course (1 credit), or LW 206A, LWA 206B, and LWA 206C for occupational programs (2 credits).
6. Successfully complete an approved course in government: POL 103, 104, 111, 212, 215, 220, 221, 223, 225, or 228.
7. Earn a minimum of 24 credits by instruction while in attendance at Delta College.
8. File an application for an Associate or Dual degree and/or Certificate with the Registrar's Office at least tthree months before your anticipated graduation date.
9. You cannot apply more than 12 credits of P/NC course work toward graduation requirements.
10. Delta College reserves the right to require students to successfully complete “key courses” in a program within a stated time frame. This may require you to repeat certain courses, even though a passing grade was previously earned. A “key course”, as determined by divisions, is one whose content is essential to skills development and successful performance and where course content is likely to significantly change over time.

* Effective with the Fall Semester 1988, all entering students (those with no prior Delta credits) must complete six credits of writing across the curriculum courses to fulfill graduation requirements. Courses are designated by a “W” next to the course code, such as POL 103W, in the Academic Classes Schedule. Please note that there may also be a significant amount of required writing in any college course.

Course Designations

Courses designated by an "H" (for Honors), "C" (for courses that require co-registration in another course), and "W" (for Writing)*, are considered course variations of a regular course and incorporate the same course content. Course variations are considered equal in meeting graduation requirements and prerequisites.  Lab courses designated by an "L" are not considered a course variation.

*Effective with the Fall Semester 1988, all entering students (those with no prior Delta credits) must complete six credits of "writing across the curriculum" courses to fulfill graduation requirements.  Courses are designated by a "W" next to the course code such as POL 103W, in the Academic Class Schedule.  Please note that there may also be a significant amount of required writing in amy college course.

Statement of General Education

General Education is the process by which a student acquires the core knowledge and fundamental skills to become an educated person and life-long learner. CORE KNOWLEDGE is the understanding and appreciation of the social, cultural, technological and scientific developments of society. The EDUCATED PERSON has the ability to apply this core knowledge to function effectively and creatively in every aspect of life. The LIFE-LONG learner is able to both update this core knowledge and develop individual potential in a dynamic environment. General Education, therefore, provides the framework essential to the survival and success of our society.

Continuous Attendance

If your attendance has been continuous in the same program you may, for the purpose of graduation, elect either the program in effect at the time of your first registration at Delta or the program in effect at the time of your application for graduation. Continuous attendance is defined as attending a minimum of one semester during each academic year since your first registration or when you officially declared your program of study. If your attendance has not been continuous, you must follow the program in effect at the time of your readmission.

Financial Obligations

All financial obligations to Delta College must be fulfilled before a student is issued a diploma and/or certificate.

Certificate Requirements

1. Earn a minimum of two thirds (2/3) of credits at Delta College. Exception: Accreditation requirements in particular occupational curricula may require a minimum number of credits at Delta. Any exceptions to the two-thirds (2/3) requirement will be approved by Curriculum Council and identified in Programs of Study, Section III.
2. Fulfill Basic Requirements Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10.
3. Complete at least one class in the program with a letter grade of “C” (2.0) or higher.
4. Apply no more than twelve (12) credits of “P” grades.

Associate Degree Requirements

Students must complete all basic degree requirements, plus specific requirements in one of the Associate degrees listed.  Courses numbered below 100 do not count towards graduation.  A maximum of 38 semester hours of transfer/other credit may be applied toward a Delta College Associate degree.  All financial obligations to Delta College must be fulfilled before a student is issued a diploma and/or certificate.

Group Requirements for Associate in Arts and Science Degrees

Completion of requirements for either the Associate in Arts Degree or the Associate in Science Degree automatically fulfills the requirements of the MACRAO Articulation Agreement. Information on the MACRAO Articulation Agreement.

Specific major program requirements and acceptable courses within the group requirement areas differ among transfer colleges and universities. It is recommended that if you are planning to transfer, you should consult with a counselor/advisor to ensure that your planned course work meets the requirements for graduation from Delta College as well as specific requirements at other institutions into which you may wish to transfer.

You must complete courses from at least two subject areas listed in each of Groups I, II, and III.

Group I:  Humanities (in at least two subject areas)

American Sign Language (ASL) All
Architectural Technology: ARC 251 only
Art: All except ART 113, 219, 283, 289
Electronic Media Broadcasting: EMB 140, 175 only
English: ENG 120, 214, 253, 254, 256 only
French (FR): All
German (GE): All
History: HIS 111 and 112 only
Interdisciplinary Humanities (IHU): All
Literature (LIT): All
Music: All4 except MUS 138
Philosophy (PHL): All
Psychology: PSY 232
Russian (RUS): All
Spanish (SPA): All except SPA 107, 109
Speech (SPH):All
Social Science Interdisciplinary): SSI 110, 232, 234 only

Group II: Social Science (in at least two subject areas)

Biology: BIO 230 only
Economics (ECN): All
History (HIS): All
Geography (GEO): All except GEO 103, 111, 261, 267
Interdisciplinary Humanities:  IHU 110 only
Interdisciplinary Social Science (SSI): All
Management: MGT 204, MGT 205 only
Political Science (POL): All
Psychology (PSY): All except PSY 235
Sociology (SOC): All except SOC 157, 158, 159, 161, 162
Social Studies Interdisciplinary (SSI): All

Group III: Natural Science (in at least two subject areas; must includeat least one lab science of 15 contact hours.)

Astronomy (AST): All
Biology (BIO): All
Chemistry (CHM): All
Computer Science CST 180, 181, 183, 280, 281 and 282 only
Environmental Science: ENV 310, 320 only
Geography: GEO 103, 111, 261, and 267 only
Geology (GLG): All
Interdisciplinary Science: SCI 250, 290-299 only
Mathematics: MTH 110 and above except MTH 117
Physical Science (PSC): All
Physics (PHY): All
Sociology: SOC 230 only

Notes:
Note: HIS 111 and 112, IHU 110, PSY 232, SSI 110, 232, 234 may be included in either Group I or Group II, but may not be counted in both groups. BIO 230 and SOC 230 may be included in either Group II or Group III, but may not be counted in both groups.

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete six credits in English composition or an approved equivalent from the following: 
   ENG 111, 111H, 111C, or 111A; and ENG 112, 112H, 112A, ENG 113 or ENG 211.
3. Satisfactorily complete 8 credits minimum in each of Groups I, II and III.

Associate in Science (A.S.)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete six credits in English composition or an approved equivalent from the following: 
   ENG 111, 111H, 111C, or 111A; and ENG 112, 112H, or 112A, ENG 113 or ENG 211.
3. Satisfactorily complete 8 credits minimum in each of Groups I and II plus 20 credits minimum in Group III.

Associate in Applied Arts (A.A.A.)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete all courses listed in one of the Delta College occupational curricula. See Section III, Programs.

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete all courses listed in one of the Delta College occupational curricula. See Section III, Programs.

Associate in Business Studies (A.B.S)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete all courses listed in one of the Delta College occupational curricula. See Section III, Programs.

Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.)

1. Fulfill all Basic Requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete all courses listed in one of the Delta College occupational curricula. See Section III, Programs.

Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.)

This degree will meet your needs if your goal is self-enrichment and you are not following a specific occupational or transfer program. All courses offered for academic credit at Delta College are applicable to this degree as per course descriptions. Because of the limited transferability, or in some cases non-transferability, of this degree, it is strongly suggested that you discuss this option with a counselor/advisor and consider fulfilling the Group Requirements.

1.  Fulfill Basic Requirements Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Dual Associate (A.A.S. & A.B.S.)

Dual Associate degrees are available in several approved occupational fields. The requirements are generally completed simultaneously. Your diploma will list both degrees: Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Business Studies.

1. Fulfill Basic Requirement.
2. Satisfactorily complete an additional 24 credits minimum, as prescribed for the approved dual degree. See Section III, Programs of Study, Dual Degrees.
3. A student with no prior college degree would have to earn a minimum of 86 credits to earn a Dual Degree (62 for the Health Degree and 24 for the Business degree).

Students who have earned a degree previously may not use courses from that degree to satisfy the requirements of a “Dual Degree.” It is possible that a student's previous degree may have included one or more of the required business courses (MGT 153, 245). They do not have to retake such classes, but must replace them from the list of approved business courses under the dual degree to complete an additional 24 credits for the Dual Degree.

Subsequent and Simultaneous Associate Degrees

Associate degrees can be earned from Delta College simultaneously or following the first earned degree; however, when you complete two or more curricula in the same Degree with a difference of less than 24 credits, you will receive only one Associate degree and the transcript shall indicate that you have completed requirements in two or more curricula. Candidates for subsequent or simultaneous degree(s) must meet the following requirements:

A. General Requirements

1. Satisfactorily complete a planned curriculum in one of the following degrees: Associate in Arts, Applied Arts, Applied Science, Business Studies, Fine Arts or Science.
2. Earn a minimum of twenty-four (24) additional semester hours of credit by instruction at Delta College. Accordingly, the minimum number of credits earned must equal the credits required for the first degree plus 24.
3. Fulfill Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Basic Requirements.

B. Subsequent Associate Degree Requirements

1. Already have earned a Baccalaureate, or higher degree from a “regionally accredited institution.” Previously earned credits will be evaluated for transfer to this degree.
2. Basic Requirements 4, 5, and 6 will be waived for candidates with a Baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution, unless occupational curricula competencies specify otherwise.

C. Simultaneous Associate Degree Requirements

1. While working on one degree at Delta College, students may complete courses applied to a second Associate Degree. Therefore, credits earned beyond those needed for the first degree may be applied toward the second degree.
2. When the student completes two or more curricula in the same Degree (Associate in Arts, Applied Arts, Applied Science, Business Studies, Fine Arts or Science) with a difference of less than twenty-four (24) semester hours of credit, the student will receive only one (1) Associate Degree and the transcript will indicate that the student has completed requirements in two or more curricula.