Career and Technical Overview

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Degree & Certificate Intent

The career and technical education degrees and certificates are designed for students interested in gaining specific technical career skills. Students focus on completing program-specific coursework, balanced by minimal general education courses. Although the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Associate in Applied Technology (AAT) degree programs are not designed to guarantee transfer to a baccalaureate institution, some institutions may accept technical coursework for students in certain areas of study. Students should contact an advisor and/or the baccalaureate institution for additional information.

General Career and Technical Degree/Certificate Requirements

Complete a minimum number of credits/units in the specified curriculum:

  • Associate Degree: Ninety (90) credits/units minimum
    • Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS): Students must complete the courses listed in their career plan, plus electives as needed, to meet the ninety (90) credit/unit requirement. Most occupational programs require more than fifty-nine (59) credits/units of specific requirements.
    • Associate in Applied Technology (AAT): Students must complete the courses listed in their career plan, plus electives as needed, to meet the ninety (90) credit/unit requirement. All AAT degree programs require at least seventy-five (75) credits/units of major-related requirements.
  • Certificate of Proficiency (CP): Forty-five (45) credits/units minimum
  • Certificate of Achievement (CA): Twenty (20) credits/units minimum
  • Certificate of Completion (CC): 19 credits/units maximum
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher
  • Earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each Major Area Requirement and specifically listed course, unless otherwise noted, for all courses taken at Clark College. A grade of D- (0.7) or higher will only satisfy General Education requirements that are not specifically listed courses.

Meet academic residency requirements as follows:

  • Associate Degree: Thirty (30) credits/units minimum must be completed at Clark College.
  • Certificate of Proficiency: Fifteen (15) credits/units minimum must be completed at Clark College.
  • Certificate of Achievement: Ten (10) credits/units minimum must be completed at Clark College.
  • Certificate of Completion: Ten (10) credits/units minimum must be completed at Clark College.

General Career and Technical Degree/Certificate Credit/Unit Restrictions

  • Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL): A maximum of sixty (60) credits/units of ACPL can be applied to a Career and Technical degree/certificate. This includes any combination of credits/units earned through test credit (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International), course challenges, or certification crosswalks.
  • College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Students may request up to fifteen (15) CLEP credits/units to be applied to a Career and Technical degree/certificate. 
  • Cooperative Work Experience: No more than fifteen (15) credits/units may be applied to a Career and Technical degree/certificate.
  • Pass/Fail Grading Option: Sixty (60) credits/units maximum in courses with Pass/Fail grading option for a Career and Technical degree/certificate.
  • Special Projects: No more than fifteen (15) credits/units in Special Projects will be allowed to meet degree or certificate requirements unless specifically outlined by the program.
  • CTE Dual Credit (formerly Tech/Prep): CTE Dual Credit courses that apply toward a career and technical degree or certificate have no limit on the number of credits/units that can be applied.
  • For Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, General Education courses can satisfy up to two (2) distribution areas in the General Education area of the degree.

Certificate of Completion (CC)

The Certificate of Completion (CC) is designed for students who wish to gain entry-level occupational skills or for those who wish to upgrade their skills in a short period of time. CCs typically consist of three (3) to four (4) courses, requiring nineteen (19) or less credits/units. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher. Students are required to complete a minimum of ten (10) credits/units at Clark College to meet the Academic Residency requirement. CCs are posted to students’ official transcripts automatically upon completion of the specified requirements; students do not need to apply for graduation to be awarded.

Certificate of Achievement (CA)

The Certificate of Achievement (CA) is designed for students who wish to receive specialized occupational training requiring less than forty-five (45) credits/units, but at least twenty (20) credits/units. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher. Students are required to complete a minimum of ten (10) credits/units at Clark College to meet the Academic Residency requirement. CAs requiring six courses or fewer are posted to students’ official transcripts automatically upon completion of the specified requirements; students do not need to apply for graduation to be awarded.

Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

The Certificate of Proficiency (CP) is designed for students who wish to receive specialized occupational training requiring at least forty-five (45) credits. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher. Students are required to complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credits/units at Clark College to meet the Academic Residency requirement.