I. Degree Requirements

The College awards five degrees:  (1) the Associate in Arts, (2) the Associate in Fine Arts, (3) the Associate in Science, (4) the Associate in Applied Science, and (5) the Associate in General Education. Requirements for degrees are as follows:

A. For the Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Fine Arts Degree, and Associate in Science Degree (two-year degrees designed for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs.)

1. Official copies of all high school and college transcripts on file in the student's record folder at Central Piedmont Community College.

2. Completion of the required college transfer courses totaling a minimum of 64-65 semester credit hours.

3. Completion of a minimum of 21 semester hours earned in residence at Central Piedmont Community College.

4. A cumulative program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

5. The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the governing board of the North Carolina Community College System and the University of North Carolina addresses the transfer of credit from the community college to the baccalaureate degree. The 44 hour general Education transfer core, if completes successfully with grade C or better in each course, will transfer as a block across the community college system and to UNC institutions. No D grades will transfer.

B. For the Associate in Applied Science Degree

1. Official copies of all high school and college transcripts on file in the student's record folder at Central Piedmont Community College.

2. Completion of a minimum of 64 semester hours (or a greater number of credit hours if specified by the program of study) including the required general education courses.

3. Completion of a minimum of 21 semester hours earned in residence at Central Piedmont Community College.

4. A cumulative program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

C. For the Associate in General Education Degree

1. Official copies of all high school and college transcripts in the student's record folder at Central Piedmont Community College.

2. Completion of 64-65 semester hours of college-level courses including the required general education core.

3. Completion of a minimum of 21 semester hours earned in residence at Central Piedmont Community College.

4. A cumulative program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

II. Diploma Requirements

The College awards diplomas upon completion of 36 semester credit hours, or a greater number of credit hours if specified by the program of study, of required courses in the student's program of career study, including general education requirements.

Requirements for diplomas are as follows:

1. Official copies of all high school and college transcripts in the student's record folder at Central Piedmont Community College.

2. Completion of the required courses.

3.  A minimum of 9 credit hours must be earned in residence at Central Piedmont Community College.

4. A cumulative program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

III. Certificate Requirements

Certificates are awarded for programs of study requiring a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of credit to a maximum of 18 semester hours of credit. Requirements for certificates are as follows:

1. Official copies of all high school and college transcripts in the student's record folder at Central Piedmont Community College (when this is a certification requirement).

2. Completion of the required courses in the student's program of study.

3.  A minimum of thirty percent (30%) of credits must be earned in residence at Central Piedmont Community College.

4. A cumulative program GPA of 2.0 or higher.

IV. Changes in Program Completion Requirements

The College reserves the option of changing the requirements for completing a degree, diploma, or certificate program at anytime. When such changes occur, the College will honor the original program completion requirements for four years for students enrolled in the program at the time of the change, and the student may either fulfill the original requirements or the changed requirements. However, when a student is not enrolled in program-related courses for three or more consecutive semesters, the requirements for program completion will be based on those requirements in effect when the student re-enrolls in the program, not those in effect when the student originally entered the program.  Exceptions to this catalog year change can be made with the approval of the division director.

Changes approved by Cabinet on 8/7/2006
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