Academic Objectives
There are three academic objectives that can be completed at Palo Verde College. These include:
- Occupational certificates
- Graduation with an Associate’s Degree
- Preparation for transfer to a university where a Bachelor’s Degree can be completed.
Many students elect to complete two, or even all three of these goals at the same time; this can be done with careful planning. This section of the catalog will explain how to accomplish these three objectives.
Certificate Programs
If Palo Verde College offers a certificate program in a certain area of study, the classes required to complete that certificate are listed under the corresponding area. It is also possible to complete a certificate program and use those courses towards an Associate Degree or towards transfer. Additionally, certificates and degrees may be pursued concurrently.
If basic academic skills in English, Reading and Math require some remediation, the appropriate courses in those areas should be taken. These courses may be taken prior to, or concurrent with, other courses. Refer to the placement guidelines for an indication of which courses to choose. Employers want employees who can think well, speak well, write well, and, at the same time possess adequate social skills. Courses addressing all of these areas can be taken at Palo Verde College.
Many students complete a certificate program, then come back to school and use some of those courses again as the major, and often the electives, for an Associate Degree, or even as preparation for transfer. Other students work on certificates and the requirements for a degree at the same time.
There are two different types of certificates available to the students through Palo Verde College. The “Certificates of Achievement” is a certificate that has been approved by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and will be entered on the students’ transcript upon completion. The “Certificate of Career Preparation” is a locally approved certificate under 18 units and will not be entered on the students’ transcript upon completion (paper certificates will be issued if requested through the Petition to Graduate process).
Requirements for Graduation With an Associate Degree
Graduation generally requires two years of full-time study which leads to an Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate of Science for Transfer (A.S.-T), Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Arts for Transfer (A.A.-T) Degree. For extensive coverage of programs available, turn to the section entitled, “Programs ”.
The college’s graduation requirements allow students to earn Associate Degrees and, with careful planning, simultaneously meet requirements for a certificate or for transfer to a fouryear college or university. Students who wish to transfer should check with their intended institution regarding which courses meet that school’s requirements.
When a course(s) required for a specific major is also on the list of approved general education courses, the course(s) may be used to satisfy both major and general education requirements. However, no course may be counted more than once. The requirements for the Associate Degrees may be met by courses meeting the specific major requirements listed in the Palo Verde College Catalog.
Palo Verde College will confer the Associate Degree upon students who successfully complete the following requirements::
- A minimum of 60 units of Associate Degree coursework (as defined by the major).
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all college coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units at Palo Verde College.
Students should make an appointment with their counselor the semester before they plan to graduate and request a graduation evaluation in order to complete a Petition to Graduate (the deadline to submit Petitions to Graduate is the first Thursday in March) and then schedule a follow up appointment to verify that all degree requirements will be able to be completed. The student must then follow up after the semester ends to make sure that all courses have been completed successfully.
Petition for Graduation
All potential graduating students must file a petition to graduate by the following deadlines and follow these recommended procedures:
Fall - 1st Thursday in October - for upcoming Spring Commencement Ceremony
Spring - 1st Thursday in March - for current year Commencement Ceremony
Summer - 1st Thursday in June - for following year Commencement Ceremony
- Students planning to graduate should meet with a counselor for a graduation evaluation during the fall semester. This will allow for the planning of any deficiencies to be satisfied in the following spring term.
- Complete the “Petition to Graduate” form and indicate if you plan to participate in the graduation ceremony.
- Make an appointment with the counselor to review and sign the “Petition to Graduate” form before the March deadline. The counselor will submit the petition to the Admissions and Records Office for final evaluation.
- Make a follow up appointment to verify that all degree requirements are met or can be met by the end of the academic year.
- Potential graduates will receive an email regarding graduation in early April (if you have not received a Graduation email by mid April, please contact your counselor immediately). Be sure to check your email regularly.
- Students wishing to participate in the graduation ceremony are required to wear a cap and gown. Information about ordering caps and gowns, invitations and/or pictures may be obtained on the college website in early April (or you can inquire in the Student Services Department).
- All grade changes, outstanding incomplete grade contracts, and course substitutions must be completed prior to submitting petition to graduate.
It could take up to three (3) months to process degrees and certificates. Students will be able to pick up their degrees in the Admissions and Records office once available.
Note: Degrees and certificates will not be conferred until after all degree requirements are met.
Catalog Rights/Continuous Enrollment
The college catalog is your contract with the college. It is important to know that when you enter Palo Verde College for the first time, the catalog in effect at that time will be valid for the entire time that you are continuously enrolled. Students maintaining continuous enrollment at Palo Verde College have “catalog rights” in determining their graduation requirements. This applies only to graduation requirements and not to policies, procedures, or other regulations.
By maintaining continuous enrollment, students may use the requirements in effect at either the time they began their studies at Palo Verde College or the time they graduate from Palo Verde College. It is the student’s responsibility to indicate which catalog he or she elects to follow at the time the graduation petition is submitted.
Continuous enrollment is defined as attendance in at least one credit course at Palo Verde College for at least one semester in each calendar year (fall or spring), but not having a break of more than one semester. The student must receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, NP, I, WIP, W or MW for the course. A student who has not maintained continuous enrollment (or has stopped attending for a year) is considered to be under the catalog requirements in effect when returning.
Degree Program Policies
DEGREE PROGRAMS SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
- Extend general education and cultural understanding
- Prepare for entrance to an occupation
- Provide credits for transfer to a four-year college or university at the junior level
PALO VERDE COLLEGE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATE DEGREES:
- Associate in Arts
- Associate in Science
- Associate in Arts for Transfer
- Associate in Science for Transfer
Multiple Associate Degrees may be awarded according to the following guidelines.
Students seeking additional degrees after having previously received an Associate Degree from Palo Verde College may qualify if all requirements for the second major are completed with at least a 2.0 grade point average for all units attempted in pursuit of the second degree.
Students seeking additional degrees after previously receiving an Associate Degree from another college may qualify for graduation. To be eligible students must complete all general education requirements for which equivalencies have not been determined, complete all requirements of the major with at least a 2.0 grade point average for all units attempted in pursuit of the second degree and complete a minimum of 12 units at Palo Verde College.
If students have not been enrolled at Palo Verde College in at least one credit course for a year or longer (two consecutive semesters or longer), they will need to meet any new general education and major requirements in effect during the academic year in which they return (see Catalog Rights).
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