Degree & Certificate Requirements

Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

The Associate of Arts Degree is intended to provide a basic foundation for a Bachelor of Arts Degree program.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb

-AND EITHER-

• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 1000 or above, which include:
  • A minimum of 32 semester hours of Arts and Sciences courses as described in the Group Concentrations table
  • A minimum of an additional 30 semester hours. These courses may be:
  • Courses numbered 1000 and above selected at the student’s discretion; or
  • Courses required in a program (major) which lead to an Associate of Arts degree. These programs include International Studies, Mathematics*, and Pre‑Elementary Education.

* Note: Also available for an Associate of Science degree.

-OR-

• Courses required in a college or university transfer plan. While these plans are available on WebAdvisor, students are strongly encouraged to consult a College counselor or advisor for guidance in following transfer plans.

Arts and Sciences Courses Required for the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

Courses are to be selected from each of the Arts and Sciences groups. (Senior colleges usually require 6‑8 semester hours in each of Groups I-IV, not counting performance, studio or applied techniques courses.) Courses offered by other divisions of the College shall not be substituted for the required Arts and Sciences group requirement courses. It is recommended that the composition/communication course in Group I be started within the first fifteen (15) hours of the degree.

Courses numbered below 1000 will not count toward the Associate of Arts degree.

Contact a counselor or academic advisor if you need help in choosing the appropriate course.

Associate of Science (AS) Degree

The Associate of Science Degree is intended to provide a basic foundation for a Bachelor of Science Degree program.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit, which include:
  • A minimum of 24 semester hours of credit in Arts and Sciences courses numbered 1000 or above as described in the Group Concentrations table; and
  • A minimum of an additional 39 semester hours, including required core courses as well as any electives designated in the program (major). Associate of Science degree programs include Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics*, Molecular Biotechnology, Pre‑Engineering, and Pre‑Medical Studies

Note: Also available for an Associate of Arts degree

Arts and Sciences Courses Required for the Associate of Science (AS) Degree

Courses are to be selected from each of the Arts and Sciences groups. Courses offered by other divisions of the College shall not be substituted for the required Arts and Sciences group requirement courses. It is recommended that the composition/communication course in Group I be started within the first fifteen (15) hours of the degree.

Courses numbered below 1000 will not count toward the Associate of Science degree.

Contact a counselor or academic advisor if you need help in choosing the appropriate course. It is important to note that the pre‑engineering and pre‑medical programs assume a strong preparation in English composition, mathematics, and science.

 Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

The Associate of Applied Science Degree is intended to provide the preparation necessary for potential employment in an occupational specialty.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit courses numbered 1000 or above, which include:
  • A minimum 18 semester hours of credit in Arts and Sciences courses numbered 1000 or above, as described in the Group Concentrations table; and
  • A minimum of an additional 44 semester hours, including required career preparation and related courses as well as any electives required in the program.

Arts and Sciences Courses Required for the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

A minimum of one course from each of the five Arts and Sciences groups must be selected. Electives and Arts and Sciences requirements must be satisfied by courses numbered 1000 or higher. Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree requirements are met by taking the required career courses and the Arts and Sciences courses.

Courses numbered below 1000 will not count toward the Associate of Applied Science degree.

Contact a counselor or academic advisor if you need help in choosing the appropriate course.

Note: If students take one course from each of Groups I.A, II, III, IV, and V, and still have taken less than the minimum of 18 semester hours of Arts and Sciences courses required for the AAS degree, they may elect additional hours from Groups I.B, II, III, IV, or V to satisfy minimum degree requirements.

Associate of Baccalaureate Studies (ABS) Degree

The Associate of Baccalaureate Studies (ABS) degree is designed for students whose educational goal is to complete a baccalaureate degree by first earning an associate degree at Macomb Community College and then transferring to a senior college or university (including college and university partners housed at Macomb Community College’s University Center) to complete their baccalaureate degree.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or the GPA specified in the transfer plan, whichever is higher
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit in an Articulated Transfer Plan and compliance with the requirements of the plan which include:
  • A minimum of 32 semester hours of credit in Arts and Sciences courses numbered 1000 and above, as described in the Group Concentrations table; and
  • A minimum of an additional 30 semester hours of required and elective courses in an Articulated Transfer Plan. While these plans are available on WebAdvisor, students are strongly encouraged to consult a counselor or advisor for guidance in following transfer plans.

Some colleges and universities require a grade point average higher than 2.0 and may specify a minimum grade which must be earned in each transfer course. These additional requirements will be indicated in the Articulated Transfer Plan and must be met by students following those plans in order to earn an Associate of Baccalaureate Studies degree.

Articulated Transfer Plans are written agreements between Macomb Community College and senior colleges and universities. These plans include courses which satisfy the general education requirements of the senior institution, foundation courses in the student’s intended major, and electives which will transfer and be counted toward a student’s degree completion at the senior institution. An Articulated Transfer Plan will also indicate dates within which the plan is recognized by the senior institution.

Because there are many Articulated Transfer Plans and optional courses are available within plans, students are strongly urged to work with a counselor or advisor on the selection of Transfer Plans and courses within plans. Students who follow Transfer Plans and/or select courses within Transfer Plans without consulting with a counselor or advisor may or may not satisfy the requirements for the Associate of Baccalaureate Studies degree.

Arts and Sciences Courses Required for the Associate of Baccalaureate Studies (ABS) Degree

The minimum semester hours required for groups of Arts and Sciences courses is as follows:

Associate of Business Administration (ABA) Degree

The Associate of Business Administration (ABA) degree is intended to provide a basic foundation for transfer to a Bachelor of Business Administration program, or entry‑level positions in the business field.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit
  • Part A-Minimum 18 semester hours of credit in Arts and Sciences courses numbered 1000 or above (see table)
  • Part B - Completion of the Business Administration Common Core Requirements (see table)

AND

• Completion of the requirements for the specific business program selected
• Part C-Completion of elective courses if required in the program

Arts and Sciences Courses Required for the Associate of Business Administration (ABA) Degree

Note: If students take one course from each of Groups I.A, II, III, IV, and V and still have taken less than the minimum of 18 semester hours of Arts and Sciences courses required for the ABA degree, they may elect additional hours from Groups I.B, II, III, IV, or V to satisfy minimum degree requirements.

Associate of General Studies (AGS) Degree

The Associate of General Studies Degree is intended for those who wish to follow an individualized educational plan. Students electing a general studies degree should maintain close contact with Counseling & Academic Advising Services to assure construction of a plan of studies harmonious with individual interests and needs.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
• Minimum 15 semester hours of credit earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 semester hours of credit
  • Freedom to choose 62 semester hours of credit to complete the degree, provided that course selections are numbered 1000 or above and do not ignore stated prerequisites, program admission requirements, or specific rules against repetition of courses or duplication of similar courses in distinct sequences.

Academic Certificates

Certificate In General Studies

A certificate in General Studies is awarded to those who complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. A minimum of 15 semester credit hours of credit must be earned at Macomb.

Certificates in Career Programs

A certificate is awarded to those who complete the work specified in various career programs. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required.

Skill Specific Certificates

Macomb’s Skill Specific Certificates can be a permanent solution, or a first step in developing, changing, or upgrading your career.

The Skill Specific Certificates are a a series of courses in an area of study that will provide you with employable skills in as little as 16 weeks. These employer-endorsed certificates reverse the traditional order of obtaining your education in a career or technical field. Instead of scheduling all the Arts and Sciences courses (English, mathematics, etc.), your first semester and then taking the elective courses that apply to your field of work, the order is reversed. In some cases, after just one semester, you will have the skills you need to seek employment or upgrade in your current job. Most credit hours earned via a Skill Specific Certificate can be applied to program certificates and associate degrees. The student is required to complete the work specified in the Skill Specific Certificate program and:

• A minimum of 5 credit hours and a maximum of 20 credit hours of credit courses, with at least a 2.0 grade point average in each course.
• Students may apply approved industry standard certifications or equivalent courses taken at an accredited college or university toward the certificate. For example, if a certificate requires 13 credit hours students would be required to take a minimum of 3 credit hours at Macomb (13 credit hours x 25%=2.35).

Certificates in Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship

There are a variety of certificates available to be earned in skilled trades & apprenticeship programs. The student is required to complete the work specified in the approved program (20-38 semester hours), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. A minimum of 15 semester hours must be earned at Macomb.

Specialty Certificates

There are a variety of specialty training certificates that are offered by Macomb. To be eligible for a certificate a student must complete the courses required within the specialty.

Program Completion: Two-Year/Seven-Year Rule

Students at Macomb may obtain a certificate/degree by completing the program as outlined in the catalog requirements under which they entered the institution or by fulfilling the catalog requirements in the year they intend to graduate.

A student who has not been enrolled for two consecutive years or longer must follow the catalog that is in the effect the semester upon re-enrollment to the College.

Students will have a maximum of seven years to complete their certificate/degree. Departments may place additional restrictions on the amount of time that individual courses can be used to apply toward the fulfillment of certificate/degree requirements.

Departments may grant exceptions to the seven-year limits for students pursuing an applied science or general studies degree who are returning to College after more than a two-year absence if they can demonstrate continued proficiency in courses previously taken, or if they have earned equivalent certifications elsewhere. Students should consult with their departments before assuming they need to “start over.”