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 credit hours earned at Macomb

-AND EITHER-

• Minimum 62 credit hours in courses numbered 1000 or above, which include:
  • A minimum of 32 credit hours of General Education courses as described in the General Education Requirements table
  • A minimum of an additional 30 credit 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 and Pre‑Elementary Education.

-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.

General Education Courses Required for the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

Courses are to be selected from each of the General Education groups. (Senior colleges usually require 6‑8 credit 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 General Education group requirement courses. It is recommended that the composition/communication course in Group I be started within the first fifteen (15) credit  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 credit hours earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 credit hours, which include:
  • A minimum of 24 credit hours in General Education courses numbered 1000 or above as described in the General Education Requirements table; and
  • A minimum of an additional 38 credit 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, and Pre‑Engineering

General Education Courses Required for the Associate of Science (AS) Degree

Courses are to be selected from each of the General Education groups. Courses offered by other divisions of the College shall not be substituted for the required General Education group requirement courses. It is recommended that the composition/communication course in Group I be started within the first fifteen (15) credit 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 program assumes 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 credit hours earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 credit hours of courses numbered 1000 or above, which include:
  • A minimum 15 credit hours of General Education courses numbered 1000 or above, as described in the General Education Requirements table; and
  • A minimum of an additional 47 credit hours, including required career preparation and related courses as well as any electives required in the program.

General Education Courses Required for the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

A minimum of one course from each of the four General Education groups must be selected. Electives and General Education 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 General Education 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, and IV and still have taken less than the minimum of 15 credit hours of General Education courses required for the AAS degree, they may elect additional courses from Groups I.B, II, III, or IV to satisfy minimum degree requirements.

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 credit hours earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 credit hours
  • Part A-Minimum 15 credit hours in General Education 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

General Education Courses Required for the Associate of Business Administration (ABA) Degree

Note: If students take one course from each of Groups I.A, II, III, and IV and still have taken less than the minimum of 15 credit hours of General Education courses required for the ABA degree, they may elect additional courses from Groups I.B, II, III,  or IV 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 credit hours earned at Macomb
• Minimum 62 credit hours
  • Freedom to choose 62 credit hours 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.

Second Associate Degree

A second Associate Degree may be awarded if, in addition to the general requirements for an Associate Degree, (1) all group and core requirements for the second degree are met, and (2) the student has earned a minimum of 77 credit hours. A minimum of 15 credit hours must be earned at Macomb for each degree awarded.

Academic Certificates

Certificate In General Studies

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

Certificate of Transfer Studies

The Certificate of Transfer Studies is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Bachelor degree. The requirement of this certificate will satisfy the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Students who transfer to participating institutions with a transcript certified “MTA satisfied” will meet the general education requirements as determined by the transfer institution. A minimum of 30 credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average is required. To obtain the “MTA satisfied” transcript, at least 1 course (1000-level or higher) must be completed at Macomb Community College.

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 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 General Education 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, 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, applied technology, & apprenticeship programs. The student is required to complete the work specified in the approved program (6-47 credit hours), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. A minimum of 15 credit hours must be earned at Macomb (or entirety of credit hours if certificate is less than 15 credit hours).

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.

Developmental Courses

Some students may be required to complete developmental education courses (courses numbered under 1000) based on placement scores. Please note that developmental education credits do not count towards credits earned for Associate Degrees or Academic Certificates.

College-Wide Courses and Programs

All curricular offerings by Macomb Community College may be scheduled and made available at any approved location. Certain specialized programs and courses will be offered only at a specific campus. The location of all courses and/or programs will be published in the College catalog located on the College website at www.macomb.edu

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 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.”