Degrees & Certificates

A.A./A.S. Degree Requirements

The awarding of an Associate Degree is intended to represent more than an accumulation of units. It is to symbolize a successful attempt on the part of the college to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics; to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; to be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the capacity for self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

Graduation from College of San Mateo with the Associate in Arts or Science degree is based upon the completion of 60 units of lower-division college-level work, including the requirements A through E in the AA/AS Degree Requirements. A maximum of 12 units from courses in which the student has a Credit/No Credit option may be applied toward an Associate degree. An application for the degree must be filed in the Office of Admissions and Records during the last semester of attendance (refer to the calendar for the college year for deadline).

Philosophy of General Education

Central to an Associate Degree, General Education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. It reflects the conviction of colleges that those who receive their degrees must possess in common certain basic principles, concepts and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines. College educated persons must be able to use this knowledge when evaluating and appreciating the physical environment, the culture, and the society in which they live. Most importantly, General Education should lead to better self-understanding.

Student Catalog Rights

A student remaining in continuous attendance at Cañada College, College of San Mateo and/or Skyline College may, for purposes of graduation, elect to meet the requirements in effect at the college from which the student will graduate either at the time the student began such attendance or any subsequent year of continuous enrollment.

For the purpose of this policy, "continuous enrollment" means attendance through at least the fourth week of instruction in either a fall or spring semester in each calendar year. Absence to attend another accredited college or university shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the absence does not exceed one year. Catalog rights cannot supersede any State or Federal regulation or requirement in effect at the time of graduation.

Additional Associate Degrees and Certificates

A student may earn multiple Associate Degrees and Certificates from College of an Mateo. Each additional degree and Certificate of Achievement will be posted to the student's academic record and the student will receive diplomas for each degree and Certificate of Achievement earned. For additional degrees and certificates any course used to meet the prescribed graduation requirements may count toward more than one degree and certificate. Courses used for one major used to meet the prescribed graduation requirements for additional majors. Courses used to meet competency requirements and general education requirements for the first degree may be used to fulfill these requirements for additional degrees, provided the student has maintained "continuous" enrollment (see Graduation Requirements and Student Catalog Rights). If a break in enrollment occurs, a student must comply with the competency, general education, and major requirements in effect at the time the student resumes attendance or those in subsequent years of the student's enrollment.