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Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree provides students with the academic skills necessary to succeed in a bachelor’s degree program and in the workplace. A.A. students learn how to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, analyze problems scientifically, calculate solutions accurately, and understand the world from multiple and diverse perspectives. A.A. graduates are able to clearly define problems, use information and technology to research and develop solutions, examine and evaluate alternatives, and make ethical decisions to improve our complex and rapidly-evolving society.

Associate in Arts Degree Admissions Requirements

To meet the minimum requirement for acceptance to the associate in arts degree at Florida State College at Jacksonville, students must:

  1. Meet the General Admissions Eligibility Criteria.

  2. Meet the admissions requirements for lower division college credit programs:

    1. Must have earned a standard or college-ready high school diploma or the equivalency of a high school diploma. In compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.16 (p), validation of the high school transcript may be required. Should the quality of the educational program of the institution attended appear unsatisfactory, the College has the authority not to accept all or any part of the previously earned credit or diploma. An official high school transcript with a graduation date is required for admission.

    2. Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars: Lower division students who qualify for the Florida Department of Education Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars award may be guaranteed admission to a baccalaureate degree program. The student must meet all other admission requirements for the specific baccalaureate degree while completing the relevant associate degree.

First Year Experience (FYE) Requirement

First Time in College (FTIC) students with no prior earned credits will be required to take course in the first term of enrollment at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Transfer and Dual Enrollment Students with fewer than 15-credit hours of A.A. (AP 1108) enrollment or more than 15 credit hours but less than a 2.0 GPA will be required to take course in the first term of enrollment at Florida State College at Jacksonville. *Exemptions will apply to students who have successfully passed course, course or course prior to enrollment and may apply to FTIC A.A. and transfer students who do not have electives available in their intended baccalaureate transfer major (appeal and approved course waiver required).

Foreign Language Requirement

In accordance with Florida Statute 1007.25, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in 2014-2015 and thereafter who wish to obtain an Associate in Arts degree must demonstrate competency in a foreign language pursuant to guidelines set in Florida Statute 1007.262. Competency is demonstrated by foreign language proficiency (at the intermediate level) equivalent to 2 years in high school or a sequence of two college credit courses in a single foreign language.

Students may select from the below list of world language course combinations to be used toward the transfer program elective credit in foreign language. Per Florida Statute 1007.2615(2)(b), students may use the ASL prefix coursework combination to satisfy the foreign language requirements of the College; however, the ASL prefix coursework may not count toward satisfying the foreign language requirements of the intended transfer major at state universities and postsecondary institutions outside Florida.

A minimum grade of C or higher is required to satisfy the College’s foreign language coursework graduation requirement. Students may choose to take additional foreign language coursework beyond what is required to satisfy the College’s foreign language coursework graduation requirement. Such coursework will be counted toward the required 24 credits of electives within the Associate in Arts degree.

American Sign Language:

  • course - American Sign Language I
    and course - American Sign Language II

Chinese

French

German

Latin

Spanish

Other Assessment Procedures for College-Level Communication and Computation Skills (rule 6A-10.030, F.A.S.)

  1. In addition to assessments that may be adopted by the State Board of Education or Board of Governors to measure student achievement in college-level communication and computation skills, other assessment requirements shall be met by successful completion of coursework in English and mathematics. For the purposes of this rule, a grade of C or higher shall be considered successful completion.

  2. Prior to receipt of an associate in arts degree from a Florida public college or university or prior to entry into the upper- division of a public college or university, a student shall successfully complete the following:

    1. 6 semester hours of English coursework and 6 semester hours of additional coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Each institution shall designate the courses that fulfill the writing requirements of this section. These course designations shall be submitted to the Statewide Course Numbering System. An institution to which a student transfers shall accept courses so designated by the sending institution as meeting the writing requirements outlined in this section.

    2. 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or higher. For the purposes of this rule, applied logic, statistics and other such computation coursework which may not be placed within a mathematics department may be used to fulfill 3 hours of the 6 hours required by this section.

    3. Students awarded college credit in English based on their demonstration of writing skills through dual enrollment, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate instruction pursuant to Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., and students awarded college credit based on their demonstration of mathematics skills at the level of college algebra or higher through one or more of the acceleration mechanisms in Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., shall be considered to have satisfied the requirements in subsection 6A-10.030(2), F.A.C., to the extent of the college credit awarded.

  3. Exemptions and Waivers. Any Florida public college or university desiring to exempt its students from the requirements of subsection 6A-10.030(2), F.A.C., shall submit an alternative plan to the Department of Education. Upon approval of the plan by the Department, the plan shall be submitted to the State Board of Education or the Board of Governors as appropriate. Upon approval by the State Board of Education or the Board of Governors, said plan shall be deemed effective in lieu of the requirements of subsection 6A-10.030(2), F.A.C.

Specific Authority 1001.02(1) and (2)(n) FS. Law Implemented 1001.02 FS., Section 15, Chapter 87-212, Laws of Florida. History - New 1-11-82, Formerly 6A-10.30, Amended 6-8-88, 12-18-2005, 2-21-2023.

Associate in Arts Degree Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded the associate in arts degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Students must fulfill the specific program requirements as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville Catalog.

  2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale at Florida State College at Jacksonville in courses eligible toward the associate in arts degree program. (A.A. Florida State College at Jacksonville GPA).

  3. Earned an all-college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted. This requirement includes Florida State College at Jacksonville college-credit semester hours and transferred credits (excluding developmental education) in lower division courses.

  4. Earned a grade of at least a C in each course used to satisfy the five General Education Requirements areas: I Communication, II Mathematics, III Humanities, IV Natural Sciences and V Social and Behavioral Sciences.

  5. Completed at least 25 percent of credit semester hours required for the degree at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.

  6. Completed 60 semester hours of college credit work as follows:

    1. General Education Requirements (36 semester hours) set forth in the general education requirements of this catalog.

    2. Major elective prerequisites (24 semester hours) set forth in the major prerequisites section of this catalog.

  7. Demonstrated competency in a foreign language in accordance with Florida Statute 1007.25. Pursuant to guidelines set in Florida Statute 1007.262, competency is demonstrated by foreign language proficiency (at the intermediate level) equivalent to 2 years in high school or a sequence of two college credit courses in a single foreign language.

  8. Demonstrated competency in civic literacy in accordance with s. 1007.25, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.02413, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Pursuant to guidelines established by Senate Bill 1108, competency is demonstrated by completion of one of three civic literacy courses (AMH 2010, AMH 2020 or POS 2041) with a grade of C or higher AND by achievement of the standard score on a state-approved assessment.

  9. Students must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the College before they may graduate.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.

  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect the students’ graduation date, since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)

  • Students who enter under the (2024/2025) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2024/2025 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.

  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.

  • Entering students who are designated as “non-exempt” (see the Developmental Education Programs section) will be required to take an approved common placement test and complete any designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or higher.

  • Degree-seeking students whose native language is not English should consult with an advisor regarding whether they will be required to take an approved English as a second language entry college placement test (CPT-L) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses prior to registering for other college credit classes.

Associate in Arts Transfer Options

The A.A. degree program is specifically intended to meet the requirements of students interested in transferring to one of Florida’s many public colleges or universities. Special articulation pathways have been developed for the following institutions:

  • Florida State College at Jacksonville
    FSCJ is accredited to offer 13 bachelor’s degree programs in areas of critical workforce need. These affordable, high-value degree options are the most efficient way to earn your bachelor’s degree. Schedules are flexible to accommodate working adults, and classes are delivered close to home in traditional, hybrid, live online, and fully online formats.

  • University of North Florida (UNF) Connect Program
    The UNF Connect program provides FSCJ students earning their associate degrees with a clear transfer pathway to a bachelor’s degree at UNF. It also allows deferred UNF students to begin their education at FSCJ because all college credits transfer seamlessly between the two institutions. Access to UNF advising is available for Connect students.

  • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Ignite Program
    The FAMU Ignite Program is another customized 2 + 2 transfer program in which students can start at FSCJ and transfer to FAMU with a personal roadmap of courses, access to special transfer scholarships, and options to participate in special events with FAMU students and staff while still an FSCJ student.

Common Prerequisites

The state of Florida has adopted common prerequisites for each baccalaureate major that are required at all public state universities and colleges. These courses should be completed as part of the associate in arts degree. For the same majors, each institution may have different admission requirements in addition to the common prerequisites. At some institutions, common prerequisites must be completed for students to be admitted into a program, and specific grade point averages may also be required. These programs are identified as Limited Access. All associate in arts degree students are encouraged to select an intended transfer major by the time they have accumulated 24 college credit hours to enroll in the appropriate prerequisite courses needed for transfer to an upper-division college or university.

Baccalaureate Transfer

Any student transferring from Florida State College at Jacksonville with an associate in arts (A.A.) degree is guaranteed the transfer of credits earned toward that degree and junior-level standing within the state university system and the Florida College System (FCS) by the Statewide Articulation Agreement (SBE Rule 6A-10.024). However, a transferring student is not guaranteed admission to specific colleges or programs within the university.

The following are steps that require action on your part for transferring to be successful:

  • Identify a major and transfer institution (before accumulating 24 college credit hours);

  • Know the admission requirements to the university or FCS institution;

  • In case of a limited-access major, identify the course and admission requirements;

  • Complete these requirements (items listed above) while attending Florida State College at Jacksonville;

  • Complete all of the requirements for the associate in arts degree; and

  • Complete the admission and application process as required by the university or FCS institution.

There are many things to think about when transferring to another college or university to earn your bachelor’s degree. If you need assistance in identifying a transfer institution, please consult with an FSCJ academic advisor or review the Transfer Services Webpage.

The Florida State College at Jacksonville University Transfer Guide is an overview of the transfer process. This guide, along with the admission requirements for the 12 Florida state universities, is available on the Transfer Services webpage.

Rights of Students in the A.A. Degree Program

Florida State College at Jacksonville associate in arts graduates are guaranteed the following rights under the Statewide Articulation Agreement (State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024):

  1. Admission to one of the Florida public state universities or FCS institutions, except to Limited Access programs which have additional admission requirements;

  2. Acceptance of at least 60 credit hours by the state universities and FCS institutions toward the baccalaureate degree;

  3. Adherence to university or FCS requirements and policies based on the catalog in effect at the time the student first entered a state or community college, provided the student maintains continuous enrollment;

  4. Transfer of equivalent courses under the Statewide Course Numbering System;

  5. Acceptance by the state universities or FCS institutions of credit earned in accelerated programs (e.g., CLEP, AP, CCCE, Dual Enrollment, Early Admission and International Baccalaureate);

  6. No additional General Education Requirements;

  7. Advanced knowledge of selection criteria for Limited Access programs, and

  8. Equal opportunity with native university or FCS students to enter Limited Access baccalaureate programs.

Should any guarantee be denied, students have the right to appeal. Each state university, state college and community college shall make available established appeal procedures through the respective articulation officers.

A.A. Transfer Student Responsibilities

The following are steps that require action on your part for transferring to be successful:

  • identify a major (before accumulating 24 college-credit hours);

  • identify a transfer institution (before accumulating 24 college credit hours);

  • know the admission requirements at the intended transfer institution;

  • in case of a limited-access major, identify the course and admission requirements;

  • complete these requirements (items listed above) while attending Florida State College at Jacksonville;

  • complete all of the requirements for A.A. degree; and

  • complete the admission and application process as required by the intended transfer institution.

There are many things to think about when transferring to another college or university to earn your bachelor’s degree. If you need assistance in identifying a transfer institution, please consult with an FSCJ academic advisor or review the Transfer Services Webpage.

Statewide Articulation Agreements

In accordance with the Florida Statewide Articulation Agreement, established in 1971 and currently codified in Section 1007.23, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 6A-10.024, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)/Board of Governors (BOG) Articulation Resolution, Florida’s statewide articulation agreement provides specific guarantees for associate in arts graduates. In essence, it provides a 2 + 2 agreement between the 28 Florida state and community colleges and the 12 state universities. The 2 + 2 articulation agreement states that associate in arts degree graduates of a state-approved Florida college must be admitted as a junior to one of the state universities as long as the university has space, money, and the curriculum to meet the students’ needs. This is a student’s “right.” However, the articulation agreement does not guarantee entrance into a specific state university or to a specific major, should that major be Limited Access. Most universities are divided into different colleges (e.g., College of Education, College of Business, College of Engineering), each of which establishes its own admission requirements. Whether students spend their first two years at a state or community college or the university, they still must meet specific admission requirements for that major, usually beginning with the junior year.

The state of Florida has given students certain rights and responsibilities. The following is a brief outline of the articulation agreement.

  1. General Education Core

    Each state university, state college and community college must require at least 36 semester hours in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences; these hours are collectively termed the “general education curriculum.” In accordance with F.S. 1007.25, students initially entering a Florida college or university in 2015-2016 and thereafter must complete one general education course identified as “statewide general education core” in each of the five general education areas within the 36 semester hours of general education. Once students have been certified by the state or community college on an official transcript as having satisfactorily completed the prescribed curriculum, with or without the completed associate in arts degree, no other state institution to which they may transfer can require further general education curriculum. If they do not complete the general education curriculum before transferring, the general education requirements must be satisfied according to the requirements of the new institution.

  2. Associate in Arts Degree

    The associate in arts (A.A.) degree is awarded according to the following conditions.

    1. Completion of 60 semester hours in an established program of study, including the 36 semester hours of general education curriculum and the common program prerequisites and electives that have prior approval by the state university system.

    2. A minimum 2.0 GPA in all attempted courses that comprise the A.A. degree and all such courses taken at the state or community college awarding the degree; only the final grade received is used to compute this average. A grade of D will transfer and count toward the associate and baccalaureate degree in the same way as D grades obtained by native students in the receiving state university do. The receiving state university will determine whether courses with D grades will be accepted toward any major. The 60 hours that comprise a completed associate in arts degree shall be accepted in total upon transfer to an upper-division program at a state university.

    3. Demonstrated competency in a foreign language in accordance with Florida Statute 1007.25. Pursuant to guidelines set in Florida Statute 1007.262, competency is demonstrated by foreign language proficiency (at the intermediate level) equivalent to 2-years in high school or a sequence of two college credit courses in a single foreign language.

  3. Accelerated Programs

    One of the goals of articulation is to allow students to advance easily, equitably and rapidly through the educational system. There are several acceleration methods, beginning at the high school level and proceeding upward through the system,, including Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Early Admission, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Program (AICE), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and Excelsior College Examinations (UExcel). For additional methods of acceleration, see the catalog section on Credit for Prior Learning.

  4. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

    The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction.

  5. Electives for Major

    The state university that awards the baccalaureate degree will determine major course requirements, including courses taken at the state or community college for a specific major.

  6. Limited Access

    Limited Access program selection and enrollment criteria must be established and published by the university in catalogs, counseling manuals and other appropriate publications. Transfer students shall have the same opportunity to enroll in baccalaureate Limited Access programs as native university students. (Limited Access programs must be approved by the State Board of Education and registered with the Articulation Coordinating Committee. It is required that the university denying students admission to a Limited Access program inform students of other educational options.)

  7. Catalog Year

    The catalog year in which a student initially entered the College is also the catalog that is in effect when students enter the university, provided they maintain continuous enrollment as defined in the university catalog. Because course requirements change from year to year, a university catalog should be obtained for the academic year that a student first entered the state or community college to determine the upper-division prerequisites for the individual majors.

  8. Statewide Course Numbering System

    Credits earned in the Florida College System are identical to those at the state university as long as the statewide course designation has the same prefix and last three digits. Transferred credits are used on the same basis as those of native university students.

  9. Articulated Programs

    The Articulation Coordinating Committee, appointed by the Florida State Board of Education, oversees the articulation agreement. This committee makes sure that students’ rights are safeguarded. The members of the committee can review individual cases of student transfer and admissions difficulties and then recommend resolutions. Committee members also recommend policies and procedures to improve articulation system-wide.

For more information concerning student rights and the articulation agreement, contact an advisor or the university articulation officer.

Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) Statewide Agreement

In November 1992, the signing of an articulation agreement took place between the State Board of Community Colleges and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. Florida has long been a leader in the articulation of students between the Florida College System and the public State University System.

The intent of the agreement was to establish “an effective and orderly transfer process for students entering a state community college, completing an associate in arts degree and transferring to an independent college or university.” Under the agreement, state and community college students holding an associate in arts degree are guaranteed junior standing, recognition of the general education core and the application of a minimum of 60 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree. The ICUF manual contains admission and course prerequisite information to properly advise students planning to transfer to these institutions. This manual can be viewed on the FloridaShines Distance Learning and Student Services website.

More information can be found in the Statewide Postsecondary Articulation Manual.

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Florida State College at Jacksonville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Florida State College at Jacksonville may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

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