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Instructional Program
WORKFORCE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Gulf Coast State College offers a number of specialized programs designed to provide a student with the skills and credentials necessary to enter a specific field of employment.
The college offers instructional programs that are classified in the following manner:
Associate in Science Degree
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Applied Technical Diploma
College Credit Certificate
Technical Certificate
Advanced Technical Certificate
Vocational Credit Certificate
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate
Each of these educational pathways is discussed in further detail below.
The Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science Degrees
The associate in science and the associate degree programs are designed to prepare students for a career that requires study beyond the high school level but does not require a four-year degree. Although not designed to transfer to the university, in some cases an associate in science degree may transfer to the university as part of a statewide articulation agreement (see Associate in Science Degrees). However, the intent of these programs is to prepare the graduate to enter the workforce.
Both Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees require that a student meet a minimum level of mathematics proficiency for graduation purposes. This minimum level, if not otherwise stated in the specific degree program, is placement in MAT1033 (Intermediate Algebra). If a student’s degree program does not require mathematics, the student must either 1) achieve a score of 72 on the elementary algebra portion of the College Placement Test, 2) achieve a score of 19 on the mathematics portion of the ACT, 3) achieve a score of 440 on the quantitative portion of the SAT, or 4) achieve a grade of C or higher in MAT0024.
All degree programs offered at GCSC require a core of general education courses. The general education component is intended to enhance a student’s ability to communicate effectively, appreciate cultural differences, think critically, and collaborate successfully. Student Learning Outcomes for the General Education Core are as follows:
General Education Core Outcomes for Workforce Degree Students
The associate in science and the associate in applied science require a minimum of 15 hours of general education courses. The following general education core outcomes reflect a synthesis of what is expected of students completing the associate in science (A.S.), and applied associate in science (A.A.S.).
Communication. Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate control of grammar and the standard rules of written English.
- Write effective essays.
- Demonstrate the ability to access, interpret, and evaluate information (Information Literacy).
Cultural Appreciation. Students will be able to:
- Describe the cultural forces affecting the traditions of visual art, theatre, or music.
Critical Thinking. Students will be able to:
- Analyze complex situations, solve problems, and assess actions.
Collaboration. Students will be able to:
- Describe their roles as members of a broader community.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a group member.
Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees
The Associate in Science degree consists of a minimum of 60 college‐level semester hours with at least 15 semester hours of General Education Core courses. The General Education Core courses are chosen for their appropriateness for each degree and represent courses from each of the following disciplines: humanities/fine arts, natural science/mathematics, behavioral science/social science and communications.
Students may pursue the following Associate in Science Degree programs:
As part of a statewide articulation agreement, the following associate in science degree programs provide students the option to further their education at a Florida university to complete a bachelor of science degree:
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
These terminal degree programs are designed to provide specific instruction in technical fields preparing students for immediate employment. Although an Associate in Applied Science does not transfer to a Florida university, the degree includes a minimum of 15 semester hours of General Education Core credit that are transferable courses.
Students may pursue the following Associate in Applied Science Degree programs:
Certificate Programs
Certificate Programs are highly specialized programs that vary in length as indicated by state frameworks and prepare a student for immediate employment in a particular field.
Applied Technical Diploma and Technical Certificates
These certificate programs consist of coursework that is a portion of a specific Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree. Completion of this coursework indicates that a student has acquired specific skills necessary for employment.
Applied Technical Diploma:
College Credit Certificate: These certificate programs consist of coursework that is not a part of a specific Gulf Coast Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree. These certificates require a maximum of one year of study and indicate that a student has acquired specific skills necessary for employment.
Advanced Technical Certificate: These certificate programs are designed for students who currently hold an Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree and are pursuing a specialization in a specific area within their degree.
Vocational Credit Certificate Programs
These certificate programs consist of vocational credit course (non‐college credit), vary in length, and prepare students for immediate employment. Students pursuing this certification are required to successfully complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificates:
Educator Preparation Institute
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