Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Students may graduate from American River College with an Associate in Arts (AA) or an Associate in Science (AS) degree by fulfilling the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of 60 units of collegiate work with a "C" (2.0) grade point average (GPA) in a curriculum that the district accepts toward the degree. (This does not include courses numbered 200 to 299 if taken between fall 1989 and spring 2003, and courses numbered 1 to 99 and numbered 1000 or higher if taken after spring 2003.) At least 12 of the 60 units must be earned at American River College.
2. Major: completion of an AA or AS program of study offered at American River College. Courses used to complete requirements for the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
3. Completion of American River College's general education requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in courses used for general education (21 units minimum) or possession of a bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or higher from a regionally accredited college or university in the US. 1 Degrees from accredited institutions outside of the US will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
4. Demonstration of competency in writing, reading, and mathematics.
5. Catalog rights: students are held to the graduation requirements established at the time they begin college as long as they maintain their catalog rights.

2024-2025 Graduation Competency Requirements

Demonstrate college-level competence in reading, written expression, and mathematics by completing the following:

1. Written Expression Competency (one of the following) –
   • Completion with a grade of "C" or better of one of the following: BUS 310; ENGWR 300, 480; ESLW 340
   • Completion with a grade of "C" or better of an equivalent college writing course at a regionally accredited college in the US 1
   • Possession of a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college in the US 1
2. Reading Competency (one of the following) –
   • Completion of American River College's General Education pattern or any local general education pattern offered in the Los Rios Community College District
   • Completion and certification of the CSU GE Breadth pattern
   • Completion and certification of the IGETC pattern
   • Possession of an associate degree (AA/AS) or higher from a regionally accredited college in the US 1
3. Mathematics Competency (one of the following) –
   • Completion with a grade of "C" or better of one of the following: ECON 310; MATH 110, 120, 125, 129, 133, 300, 310, 311, 320, 333, 340, 342, 355, 356, 372, 373, 375, 400, 401, 402, 410, or 420; PHIL 324; PSYC 330; STAT 300, 305, or 480
   • Completion with a grade of "C" or better of an equivalent college math course at a regionally accredited college in the US 1 or completion with a grade of "C" or better in a course that meets mathematic competency at the California community college where it was completed
   • Obtain a satisfactory score on a mathematics competency examination used district-wide for graduation
   • Possession of a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college in the US 1

2024-2025 General Education Requirements for AA/AS Degrees

I. Humanities

• * Courses appearing in more than one category may be used to satisfy only one category.
• # These ethnic/multicultural courses can also satisfy general education category requirements.

II. Language and Rationality

• * Courses appearing in more than one category may be used to satisfy only one category.
• # These ethnic/multicultural courses can also satisfy general education category requirements.

III. Living Skills

• * Courses appearing in more than one category may be used to satisfy only one category.
• # These ethnic/multicultural courses can also satisfy general education category requirements.

IV. Natural Sciences

• * Courses appearing in more than one category may be used to satisfy only one category.

V. Social and Behavioral Sciences

• * Courses appearing in more than one category may be used to satisfy only one category.
• # These ethnic/multicultural courses can also satisfy general education category requirements.

VI. Ethnic/Multicultural Studies

• # These ethnic/multicultural courses can also satisfy general education category requirements.

Catalog Rights

For the purpose of graduating or earning a certificate from any college in the Los Rios Community College District, a student who attends at least one session (whether quarter, semester, or summer) in each calendar year at any California community college, California State University, University of California, or any regionally accredited institution of higher education, may choose to meet the requirements in effect at the Los Rios college from which the student intends to graduate, as follows:

• Requirements that were in effect at the time the student was admitted to a Los Rios college
• Requirements that were in effect at the time the student originally enrolled in an accredited college
• Requirements that were in effect at the intended date of graduation from a Los Rios college

• A college may authorize or request substitution for discontinued courses.
• Students who change their major field of study may be required to complete those requirements for the major in effect at the point of change.
• For purposes of this section, "attendance" means taking classes in at least one session (semester or summer session) in each calendar year. Absence for attendance at another regionally accredited institution shall not be considered an interruption in attendance, per Los Rios Policy P-7242: Establishing Catalog Rights.