Degree Requirements

Description of Degrees

The Credit Programs of Study section contains a listing and information regarding credit programs of study offered by FCC. This information describes and outlines requirements for both transfer programs and career programs, including degrees, certificates, and letters of recognition. The Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificates section contains a listing and information regarding CEWD programs of study offered by FCC. This information describes and outlines requirements for programs leading to a Workforce Training Certificate.

Frederick Community College awards an associate’s degree to those students who complete a prescribed curriculum with a 2.000 grade point average or better.

Transfer programs are designed to prepare students to transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution. Students completing the described programs will ordinarily be received as juniors at receiving colleges. Transfer programs are designated with the word transfer following the program title, (e.g. History–Transfer). The associate of arts (A.A.) degree, the associate of science (A.S.) degree, or the associate of arts in teaching (A.A.T.) degree is awarded upon the completion of transfer programs.

Career programs are designed for those students who wish to seek employment in a specific career immediately upon completion of coursework that leads to an associate’s degree. Although the majority of the coursework will transfer to other institutions, these programs are oriented toward employment in entry-level positions. Career programs are designated with the word career following the program title (e.g., Accounting Program–Career). The associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded upon the completion of most career programs.

The Certificate is awarded to those students who complete a prescribed curriculum of specialized training with a 2.000 grade point average or better.

Program Requirements

Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree & Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree

To be eligible to receive the associate of arts or associate of science degree, or an area of concentration within the associate of arts or associate of science degree, students must:

  1. Successfully complete a prescribed curriculum as approved by the college.
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours.
  3. Complete a core of at least 31 credit hours of general education courses that will include the following: ENGL 101 English Composition (grade of 'C' or better); arts, humanities and communications (one course from each discipline) 9 credits; social & behavioral sciences (one course each from two disciplines)–6 credits; biological & physical sciences (two courses, one of which must be a laboratory course)–7/8 credits; mathematics–3/4 credits; and an additional general education elective course–3 credits which may be selected from any General Education category. For the complete list of general education courses see General Education CORE.
  4. Complete one course designated as a course in cultural competence. For the complete list of cultural competence courses see the Cultural Competence Requirement list. 
  5. Complete a physical education, health, or nutrition course (1/3 credits).
  6. Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 (in addition, certain programs of study may require a 2.000 grade point average for all designated major courses).
  7. Complete at least 15 semester hours of academic credit at FCC.
  8. Complete a graduation application and submit to Registration and Records.

Degrees are conferred three times a year: August, December, and May. The official ceremony is held annually in May.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

To be eligible to receive the associate of applied science degree, or an area of concentration within the associate of applied science degree, students must:

  1. Successfully complete a prescribed curriculum as approved by the college.
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours.
  3. Complete a core of at least 20 credit hours of general education courses that will include at least one three- or four-credit course from each of the following areas: ENGL 101 English Composition (grade of 'C' or better); arts, humanities & communications; social & behavioral sciences; biological & physical sciences; and mathematics. For the complete list of general education courses, see General Education CORE.
  4. Complete one course designated as a course in cultural competence. For the complete list of cultural competence courses see the Cultural Competence Requirement list.
  5. Complete a physical education, health, or nutrition course (1/3 credits), if applicable.
  6. Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 (in addition, certain programs of study may require a 2.000 grade point average for all designated major courses).
  7. Complete at least 15 semester hours of academic credit at FCC.
  8. Complete a graduation application and submit to Registration and Records.

Degrees are conferred three times a year: August, December, and May. The official ceremony is held annually in May.

Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) Degree

To be eligible to receive the associate of arts in teaching degree, students must:

  1. Successfully complete a prescribed curriculum as approved by the college.
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours.
  3. Complete a core of at least 31 credit hours of general education courses that will include the following: ENGL 101 English Composition (grade of 'C' or better); arts, humanities and communications (one course from each discipline) 9 credits; social & behavioral sciences (one course each from two disciplines)–6 credits; biological & physical sciences (two courses, one of which must be a laboratory course)–7/8 credits; mathematics–3/4 credits and an additional general education elective course. For a complete list of general education courses see General Education CORE.
  4. Complete 45 hours of observation in a school based setting, as part of Education Coursework.
  5. Complete one course designated as a course in cultural competence. For the complete list of cultural competence courses see the Cultural Competence Requirement list.
  6. Complete a Wellness course (3 credits).
  7. Earn a 'C' or better in all courses used to satisfy the A.A.T. program of study AND earn a minimum of 2.75 GPA and provide Registration and Records with an official copy of acceptable scores on one of the following state approved standardized tests: SAT, ACT, GRE, or PRAXIS CORE OR achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  8. Complete at least 15 semester hours of academic credit at FCC.
  9. Complete a graduation application and submit to Registration and Records.

Degrees are conferred three times a year: August, December, and May. The official ceremony is held annually in May.

Certificate of Accomplishment Requirements  

To be eligible to receive the certificate, students must:

  1. Complete a prescribed curriculum of at least twelve (12) credits as approved by the college.
  2. Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.000.
  3. Complete at least 25% of the Certificate credit at FCC. Exception to this requirement for the CPA Exam Qualification certificate only.
  4. Complete a graduation application and submit it to Registration and Records.

Certificates are conferred three times a year: August, December, and May. The official ceremony is held annually in May.

Letter of Recognition (LOR)

The following are the requirements to be eligible to receive a letter of recognition:

  1. Complete a prescribed curriculum of at least six (6) credits as approved by the College.
  2. Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in the courses required by the Letter of Recognition.
  3. Complete at least 25% of the LOR credits at FCC.
  4. No course substitutions are allowed.
  5. Students must be currently enrolled.
  6. Grandfather clause: Students who are eligible for the LOR between spring 2020 to fall 2022 will automatically be issued the Letter of Recognition. 
  7. Students will receive a Digital Badge on completion of approved LORs.

Letters of Recognition are awarded three times a year: August, December, and May. Letter of Recognition recipients do not take part in commencement ceremonies, unless they have also completed a degree or certificate.

Digital Badge

To be eligible to receive a Digital Badge, students must:

  1. Complete a course or series of courses identified as a Digital Badge Course, as approved by the College.
  2. Successfully complete all required competencies outlined in the course/series of courses.
  3. Set up a free account in the Credly system.
  4. Claim the Digital Badge in Credly. 

Workforce Training Certificate (WTC)

To be eligible to receive a Workforce Training Certificate, students must:

  1. Complete a course or series of courses identified as a Workforce Training Certificate program, as approved by the College.
  2. Complete courses on the basis of competency.

Please note:

  • No course substitutions are allowed.
  • Students can request approval to transfer up to 25% of total Certificate contact hours of prior learning from an accredited institution for some Workforce Training Certificates.
  • Workforce Training Certificates are issued each month.
  • Workforce Training Certificate recipients do not take part in commencement ceremonies, unless they have also completed a degree or certificate.

Completion Note for Degree and Certificate Programs

All associate degree programs require minimum coursework of 60 semester credit hours. Because of many factors (student work schedules, class scheduling problems, required developmental work, certain prerequisites, etc.) the average full-time student may take somewhat longer to complete a degree program. However, almost all associate degree transfer programs are designed to allow full-time students to complete all requirements over a period of two calendar years. Certificates and letters of recognition require substantially fewer semester credit hours and are normally completed in less time than associate degree programs. Due to insufficient enrollment, certain courses in career programs may not be offered every year. In order not to delay graduation, students may consult with the appropriate department chair and identify substitutes for such courses.

Gainful Employment Program Information

Frederick Community College prepares students to meet the challenges of a diverse, global society through quality, accessible, innovative, lifelong learning. In addition to preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions and offering personal enrichment, FCC offers degrees, certificates and programs for workforce preparation to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of our region.

As you consider the wide array of educational opportunities available to you at the college, we invite you to learn more about the employment outlook for the career(s) that interest you. Please visit our Gainful Employment webpage at www.frederick.edu/gainfulemployment where you will find information including how long each program generally takes to complete, the approximate cost, the number of students who complete the program on time, and the median amount of loans borrowed by students in the program. Additionally, contact information is provided for each Gainful Employment program.

This information is provided in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education Gainful Employment Programs Disclosure regulations.