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Instructional Programs

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degree

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree is a baccalaureate degree designed to prepare students to enhance and/or advance their career.  B.A.S. programs provide baccalaureate degree completion opportunities for students from a variety of educational backgrounds but primarily those with Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degrees or their equivalent.  B.A.S. degree programs typically include capstone experiences that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate the application of acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies. The B.A.S. degree is awarded upon the completion of the course requirements in the Technology Management program.

Admission requirements for the B.A.S. program in Technology Management are as follows:

• Completion of application to Gulf Coast State College.
• Submission of official transcripts from high school(s) (or GED).
• Submission of official transcripts from college(s) currently or previously attended.
• Completion of all college preparatory coursework.
• Completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of transferrable general education coursework.
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all postsecondary coursework.
• Official transcripts showing one of the following:
  • Completion of an A.S. degree of sixty (60) credits from a regionally accredited institution in a technology-related discipline, OR
    Completion of an A.A. degree of sixty (60) credits from a regionally accredited institution.

Bachelor Degree Graduation Requirements

To receive a bachelor’s degree, students must:

1. Satisfy the requirements for the chosen major;
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with at least a “C” average (2.0 GPA) for an all college cumulative grade point average that includes Gulf Coast State College and transferred credits in lower and upper division courses;
3. Successfully complete a minimum of 30 of their last 36 hours in regular courses at Gulf Coast State College;
4. Apply no more than 45 semester hours in any combination of extension, correspondence, CLEP, University Credit by Examination and Armed Forces credits toward an undergraduate degree;
5. Satisfy Gulf Coast State College’s General Education Requirements;
6. Satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. Students may fulfill the requirement in any of the following manners:
1. Complete eight semester hours of the same foreign language.
2. Successful completion of two sequential high school credits in one foreign language as listed in status 1007.262 and DOE Board Rule 6A.10.02412. The student is responsible to send official high school transcripts to the Registrar’s office for evaluation.
3. Submit an English translated high school course-by-course transcript from a country of origin; exits test scores or certificates not acceptable. Students must have an English translation performed, at students’ expense, by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Examples of acceptable services are Josef Silny & Associates and World Education Services.
4. Achieve appropriate College Level Examination Program (CLEP) level one and two scores in French, German, and Spanish.
7. Satisfy the College Level Academic Skills Program requirement in English, reading, and mathematics by either:
1. earning a 2.5 GPA in ENC1101 and ENC1102 or 2.5 GPA in a combination of either ENC1101 or ENC1102 and a Humanities III (literature course) and/or a cumulative 2.5 GPA in two college‐level mathematics courses (MAC, STA or MGF)
2. earning CLEP, AP, AICE, or IB credit in ENC1101 or in college‐level mathematics
3. score a minimum score in the appropriate subject areas on the ACT or SAT
8. Submit an application for graduation as outlined in the Graduation Procedures section of this catalog.
9. Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.

The Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is comprised of the freshman and sophomore years of a baccalaureate degree, also known as a four‐year degree. The A.A. degree is specifically designed for the student who plans to transfer to a Florida public university.

The A.A. degree requires a minimum of 60 college‐level credit hours. Thirty‐six (36) credit hours are specified as the general education component of the degree and twenty‐four (24) credit hours are referred to as elective. These elective courses may be utilized to satisfy specific university major requirements. Students who intend to pursue a specific major at the university should follow the transfer track that most closely aligns to the intended major at the university. Each transfer track details courses that are required for transfer to the specific major at the university. These courses are noted as common prerequisite courses and when completed successfully, enable the student to transfer to the university as a junior.

Completion of the A.A. degree guarantees admission to a state university but not necessarily admission to the specific program of study within the institution. Some university majors are known as limited access and may include additional requirements such as a minimum grade point average, an audition, submission of a portfolio, or completion of certain courses. Please consult a Gulf Coast academic adviser or access the Florida Academic and Counseling Tracking System (FACTS) at www.facts.org for additional information.

Although the A.A. degree does not guarantee admission to a private and/or out‐of‐state institution, a student may consult an academic adviser for further assistance.

The general education curriculum coursework is intended to provide students with a foundation to communicate, to be a responsible member of the global community, to think critically, and to exhibit scientific and quantitative reasoning skills at a postsecondary level. Students will demonstrate learning in these areas as articulated in the following student learning outcomes.

Excess Hours Advisory Statement. Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes, establishes an "excess hour" surcharge for a student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a state university. It is critical that students, including those entering Florida colleges, are aware of the potential for additional course fees.

"Excess hours" are defined as hours that go beyond 115% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program. For example, if the length of the program is 120 credit hours, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 138 credit hours (115 x 120%).

All students whose educational plan may include earning a bachelor's degree should make every effort to enroll in and successfully complete those courses that are required for their intended major on their first attempt. Florida college students intending to transfer to a state university should identify a major or "transfer program" early and be advised of admission requirements for that program, including the approved common prerequisites. Course withdrawals and/or repeats, as well as enrollment in courses non‐essential to the intended major, may contribute to a potential excess hours surcharge.

Associate in Arts Transfer General Education Outcomes

The Associate in Arts transfer core outcomes will be assessed within the 36 credits required of all A.A. degrees from those students who have completed a minimum of 40 credits in their degree.

Communication. Students will be able to:

• Compose an effective essay consisting of 500+ words.
• Demonstrate the ability to access, interpret, and evaluate information (Information Literacy).

Global Socio‐Cultural Responsibility. Students will be able to:

• Accurately synthesize and evaluate complex information regarding an enduring question of human existence.

Critical Thinking. Students will be able to:

• Describe and analyze relationships between individuals or groups of people and three different types of institutions (governmental or other political entities, religious, social, educational, cultural, etc.).
• Accurately select formulas for, interpret, write (in words and symbols), and solve mathematical equations.

Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning. Students will be able to:

• Explain a scientific or mathematical idea (law/theory/hypothesis/model/classification scale) by providing accurate facts, justifying how these facts support the idea, and providing one application of this idea in science or math.
• Analyze biological processes such as cellular respiration, protein synthesis, DNA replication or cellular reproduction.

Graduation Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree

Although the A.A. degree does not indicate a specific major, it is strongly encouraged that students complete the A.A. degree prior to transferring to a public university in Florida. All A.A. degree recipients must meet the following requirements for graduation:

1. Successfully complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of acceptable college‐level credit.
2. Successfully complete the 36 credit hours of general education courses.
3. Successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of A.A. designated electives.
4. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00, including all transfer credits and courses attempted at GCSCC. In addition, a student must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 on all GCSC courses.
5. Complete 25 percent of college‐level credit hours at GCSC (a minimum of 15 credit hours).
6. Satisfy the College Level Academic Skills Program requirement in English, reading, and mathematics by either:
   1. a. earning a 2.5 GPA in ENC1101 and ENC1102 or 2.5 GPA in a combination of either ENC1101 or ENC1102 and a Humanities III (literature course) and/or a cumulative 2.5 GPA in two college‐level mathematics courses (MAC, STA or MGF)
   2. earning CLEP, AP, AICE, or IB credit in ENC1101 or in college‐level mathematics
   3. score a minimum score in the appropriate subject areas on the ACT or SAT
7. Submit an application for graduation as outlined in the Graduation Procedures section of this catalog.
8. Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.

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