Associate of Science General Degree

Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission

Students desiring to enroll in the Associate of Science degree program must meet or exceed the following entrance examination scores:

Students must meet or exceed the entrance examination score based on the results of a basic assessment test (Accuplacer). Otero College uses multiple measures to direct students into appropriate English, reading and mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses. Prior to enrollment, all new students must complete an assessment. Please call Student Services at 719-384-6831, for more information regarding course placement.

Graduation Expectations

The Colorado Community College System’s (CCCS) colleges have adopted a set of guidelines to define the conditions under which a student can expect to graduate with an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree in two calendar years. The Academic Advising Center at each individual CCCS community college can provide additional information. The CCCS colleges guarantee that a student will be able to complete all course work necessary to earn an AA or an AS degree from a specific CCCS college in 60 credit hours and in 24 months. Students must satisfy all the conditions described below to be eligible for this guarantee:

1. Enroll at the same community college for at least four consecutive semesters, excluding summer.
2. Register within one week of the beginning of registration for each semester.
3. Have completed all required remedial coursework before beginning the count of two years to degree completion.
4. Enroll in and pass (with a “C” or better in each course) an average of 15 credit hours in coursework that applies to the AA/AS in each four consecutive semesters.
5. Obtain a recommended plan of study for the AA or AS degree plan of study, signed by the student and community college advisor, prior to registration for the second semester, and according to the requirements of the students’ community college.
6. Follow the signed plan of study.
7. Continue with the same degree (AA or AS) from entrance to graduation.
8. Retain documentation demonstrating that all the above requirements were satisfied. (advising records, transcripts, etc.)

Associate of Science – General Education Core

Students who complete an Associate of Science degree are guaranteed to transfer 60 credit hours of courses required for the degree to a four-year school once they have been accepted for admission. Students who follow this plan should be able to finish a Bachelor of Science degree within another 60 credit hours.

The primary distinguishing characteristic of an Associate of Science degree that differentiates it from an Associate of Arts degree is that the A.S. requires 12 credits or three courses in natural and physical sciences with labs. Two of these three courses must be sequential. For example, a student might choose to take the sequence AST 101: Astronomy I with Lab (4 credits), and AST 102: Astronomy II with Lab (4 credits). This student could then complete the Natural and Physical Sciences requirement by taking Geology 111: Physical Geology with Lab (4 credits), for a total of three courses and 12 credits.

Academic and Related Requirements

A. Earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average from Otero College.
B. Complete a minimum of 15 semester hours at Otero College.
C. Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours as outlined in the above course requirements for the Associate of Science Degree.
D. Complete with a grade of “C” or higher all required courses (39 semester credit hours) that are to be counted towards the general education core curriculum.
E. Complete the application for graduation form by the end of the first week of spring semester and pay for the cap, gown and diploma by March 1.
F. Be enrolled in Otero College classes the semester of intended graduation.
G. Complete the requirements for graduation in effect at the time of first-time enrollment. (NOTE: Students not enrolled for two semesters are required to complete all degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.)
H. Meet all financial obligations to the College.

Graduation Restrictions

A. May not use basic skills courses (those numbered below the general education core curriculum) toward the degree program.
B. May not be granted more than one academic degree in the same semester.
C. May not apply career and technical education courses toward the degree program other than those specified above.

Core requirements = 39 credits        Elective requirements = 21 credits
AS Degree Total = 60 credits (100 level or higher)
        *Remedial courses, (courses below 100 level) do not count toward graduation requirements
PLEASE NOTE: Some degrees may exceed the typical 60 credit hours required to successfully graduate.