Academic Catalog - Guidelines for Degree Programs & Certificates
Guidelines
A student’s career and technical education objective and academic educational objectives require careful planning. Students who change majors may take longer to graduate or may transfer with a loss of credit. The following degree programs can be completed in four semesters by attending full-time and carrying the required number of hours. A student may choose, due to personal circumstances, to extend the amount of time for completion.
*Associate Degree 4-Year Alignment
Associate of Arts Degree & Associate of Science Degree
Associate Degree 2-Year
Associate of Applied Science Degree & Associate of General Studies Degree
*Students who intend to earn a baccalaureate degree should plan their course work to meet the requirements of the Associate of Arts Degree or the Associate of Science Degree. Planning should include the general education requirements, courses in major and minor fields, and electives to best prepare the student for continued study at a selected 4-year college or university.
General Education
In establishing general education requirements, it is the goal of Otero College to assist students in gaining a more meaningful and productive awareness of the world and themselves. In addition, it is anticipated that this assistance will instill a desire in the student to broaden knowledge regardless of plans to continue formal education.
The objectives for general education are:
•To develop ability in the skills of communication, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
•To introduce the student to certain fundamental knowledge useful to a better understanding of the world.
•To provide an acquaintance with the major areas of knowledge and an awareness of their interrelatedness.
•To assist the student to better understand the relationship to other persons and the interdependence of all people in a modern world.
Nothing in this catalog is intended to create (nor shall be construed as creating) an expressed or implied contract. The College reserves the right to modify, change, delete, or add to, as it deems appropriate, the policies, procedures, and other general information in this catalog.
General Information on Transfer of Credits
Students preparing themselves in any of the fields under the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree curricula are generally interested in transferring to a four-year institution. Otero College staff can make transfers as smooth as possible. If students keep in mind some general observations concerning transfer, it will assist in planning a good curriculum. These general observations are:
Two general patterns of transfer exist:
- Those colleges and universities that accept the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees, grant junior standing, waive general education requirements and require the student to fulfill course requirements for a major and minor.
NOTE: A “D” grade may not transfer to another school. A “D” negates the guarantee of the 60 + 60 transfer degree.
- Those colleges that evaluate all courses individually and apply them toward meeting general education requirements and require the student to fulfill individual course requirements. This type of institution may work out contract agreements with Otero and list courses to be taken before transfer, may require graduation, and may require a grade point above a “C” grade or higher.
NOTE: Credits that carry a “D” grade may be counted toward graduation at Otero; however, a “D” grade may not transfer to another school. A “D” negates the guarantee of the 60 + 60 transfer degree.
Students can usually transfer a minimum of 60 semester hours of junior college credit or one-half of the degree requirements, whichever is greater.
Baccalaureate Institutions may accept transfer credits only in those courses for which they have equivalent offerings.
A change of major may extend the time required to complete a degree.
Credits transferred are generally evaluated in the following order.
- General education requirements
- Major and minor courses
- Elective credits
Associate of General Studies
Students who choose to fulfill the following degree requirements will be eligible to receive the Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree.
The Associate of General Studies degree is earned by those students who complete up to half of their program in approved academic transfer courses and the remaining half in career and technical education and other academic elective courses. The Associate of General Studies degree recognizes those individuals who have completed a variety of courses in the institution without any specific major in mind. In some cases the AGS has been used in transfer to a four-year college or university.
Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission
Students desiring to enroll in the Associate of General Studies 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.
Students should refer to their specific Associate of Applied Science requirements as listed in the catalog. Specific program admission and course requirements differ for different programs The listing of a course or program in this or any other college publication does not constitute a guarantee, nor contract, that the particular course or program will be offered during the time listed. All courses or programs are subject to scheduling changes or cancellations. Every effort will be made to inform students of such changes and/or cancellations.
Associate of General Studies Degree Courses Guideline |
||
|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours | Available Courses | |
| (Written) Communication | 3 | BUS 2017 ENG 1015 ENG 1021, 1022 ENG 1031 ENG 2021, 2022 COM 1150 COM 1250 |
| Mathematics | 3 | MAT 1120 MAT 1140 MAT 1240, 1340 MAT 1420 MAT 1400 MAT 1260 MAT 1220, 1230 MAT 2410, 2420, 2430 |
| Arts & Humanities | 3 | ART 1113 ART 1110 ART 1111, 1112 ART 1201, 1202 ART 1002 ART 1005 ART 1301 ART 1302 ART 1075, 2075 HUM 1003 HUM 1015 HUM 1021, 1022, 1023 LIT 1015, 2001, 2002 LIT 2005 LIT 2011, 2012, 2021,2022 LIT 2025, 2030 LIT 2055 MUS 1010, 1020, 1021 PHI 1011, 1012, 1013 SPA 1011, 1012 SPA 2011, 2012 THE 1005 |
| Natural & Physical Sciences | 3 | AST 1110, 1120 BIO 1005, 1006 BIO 1111, 1112 BIO 2101, 2102 BIO 2104, 2116, 2121 CHE 1011, 1012 CHE 1111, 1112 CHE 2111, 2112 ENV 1010, 1111 GEY 1111 GEY 1112 HWE 1050 PHY 1105 PHY 1111, 1112 PHY 2111, 2112 SCI 1105 SCI 1055, 1056 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | HIS 1310, 1320 HIS 1210, 1220 HIS 2135 ECO 2001, 2002 JOU 1005 PSC 2020, 2005 PSC 1011 PSC 1025 GEO 1005 ANT 1001, 1003 PSY 1001, 1002 PSY 2331, 2440 PSY 2441 PSY 2552 SOC 1001, 1002 SOC 2031 CRJ 1010 |
| Academic Electives: 15 credits | ||
| All courses not used to meet the general education requirements can be used as academic electives. | ||
| Career & Technical / Other Academic Electives: 30 credits | ||
| The student may complete an additional 30 semester hours of career and technical education prefixed courses or other academic electives in order to satisfy this component of the degree program. | ||
Academic 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 General Studies Degree.
D. Successfully complete all career and technical education program courses chosen with a minimal grade of “C” in each course
E. Complete the application for graduation form by January 31 of the Spring Semester or October 30 of the Fall Semester.
F. Be enrolled in Otero College classes for the semester in which a student intends to graduate.
G. Complete the requirements for graduation in effect at the time of first-time enrollment. (NOTE: Students who failed to be enrolled for two semesters or more will be required to complete all degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.)
H. Meet all financial obligations to the College.
Associate of Applied Science
The primary purpose of the Associate of Applied Science Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Otero College is to prepare students with skills necessary to obtain entrance level employment in the field of their educational program. These programs are designed so most students can complete them in two years of fulltime study.
Training includes job skill development and the related technical information necessary for the level or job competency which is the stated goal of each program. These programs vary widely in the technical information and skill levels required of students. Entering students should consult with advisors as to the academic background and proficiency required in a specific program.
Students receiving the Associate of Applied Science Degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of general education courses. This requirement is to fulfill the requirements of the Colorado Legislature, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, and the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, as well as the goals of the College.
Students should meet with their advisor each semester in order to plan the proper sequencing and kinds of courses needed in order to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission
Students desiring to enroll in an Associate of Applied Science degree program must meet or exceed the following entrance examination scores:
Otero College uses multiple measures to direct students into appropriate English and Mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses. You may be required to complete an assessment, please check with your academic advisor or call Student Services at 719-384-6831, for more information regarding course placement.
NOTE: While these programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment and not transferable by design, certain career and technical education courses that are the equivalent of college level academic course offerings may be accepted by some college disciplines if the student later decides to transfer to a four-year institution.
Program Requirements
A. Maintain at least a 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 credits.
D. Successfully complete all career and technical education program courses chosen with a minimal grade of “C” in each course of the prescribed curriculum.
E. Complete the application for graduation form by January 31 of the Spring Semester or October 30 of the Fall Semester.
F. Be enrolled in Otero College classes for 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.
Associate of Arts
Students who fulfill the following degree requirements will be eligible for the Associate of Arts degree. The Associate of Arts degree program is normally utilized by those students planning to transfer to a four-year institution at the completion of two years at Otero College to complete their Bachelor of Arts degree.
Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission
Otero College uses multiple measures to direct students into appropriate English and Mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses. You may be required to complete an assessment, please check with your academic advisor or 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:
- Enroll at the same community college for at least four consecutive semesters, excluding summer.
- Register within one week of the beginning of registration for each semester.
- Have completed all required remedial coursework before beginning the count of two years to degree completion.
- 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.
- 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.
- Follow the signed plan of study.
- Continue with the same degree (AA or AS) from entrance to graduation.
- Retain documentation demonstrating that all the above requirements were satisfied. (Advising records, transcripts, etc.).
Associate of Arts – General Education Core
To earn an A.A. degree, a student must complete the specified number of Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways general education courses in Written and Oral communication, Math, Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Natural and Physical Sciences, to total 37 credits, as listed on the chart on the following page. In addition, the student completes 23 credits of electives.
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 Arts Degree.
D. Complete with a grade of “C” or higher all required courses (38/39 semester credit hours) that are to be counted towards the general education core curriculum.
E. Complete the application for graduation form by January 31 of the Spring Semester or October 30 of the Fall Semester.
F. Be enrolled in Otero College classes for 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
- May not use Basic Skills courses (those numbered below the general education core curriculum) toward the degree program.
- May not apply career and technical education courses toward the degree program other than those specified above.
Core requirements = 37 credits Elective requirements = 23 credits
AA 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.
Associate of Arts Degree Courses Guideline |
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|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours | Available Courses | |
| (Written) Communication | 9 | ENG 1021 ENG 1022 COM 1150 or 1250 |
| Mathematics | 3 | MAT 1240 MAT 1340 MAT 1420 MAT 1400 MAT 1260 MAT 2410 MAT 2420 |
| Arts & Humanities | 6 | 2 GT courses from 2 different categories (AH1-AH4) Category One: ART 1110 ART 11112 1112 MUS 1020,1021 MUS 1022 MUS 1025 THE 1005 Category Two: HUM 1003 HUM 1015 HUM 1021,1022,1023 LIT 1015 LIT 2001, 2002 LIT 2005 LIT 2011, 2012 LIT 2021, 2022 LIT 2025 Category Three: PHI 1011 PHI 1012 PHI 1013 Category Four: SPA 2011, 2012 |
| Natural & Physical Sciences | 7 credits or 2 GT courses with at least one w/lab An ANT1005 course taken BEFORE the 201610 semester will still count as a CORE Social & Behavioral Science (SS3) course. | AGY 2140 ANT 1005 AST 1110 AST 1120 BIO 1004, 1005 BIO 1111, 1112 BIO 2101, 2102 BIO 2104 CHE 1011, 1012 CHE 1111, 1112 ENV 1010, 1111 GEY 1111, 1112 GEY 1155 PHY 1105 PHY 1111, 1112 PHY 2111, 2112 SCI 1105 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 6 | 2 GT courses from any category (SS1-SS3) Category One: AGE 1102 ECO 2001, 2002 PSC 2020 PSC 1011 PSC 1025 PSC 2005 Category Two: GEO 1005 Category Three: AGR 2160 ANT 1001 ANT 1003 CRJ 1010 PSY 1001, 1002 PSY 2331, 2440 PSY 2441, 2552 SOC 1001, 1002 SOC 2031 |
| History | 3 | HIS 1310,1320 HIS 1210,1220 HIS 2135 |
| Electives: 23 credits | ||
| Arts & Humanities / Social & Behavioral Science / History: 3 additional credits | ||
Associate of Science
Students who choose to fulfill the following degree requirements will be eligible to receive the Associate of Science degree. The Associate of Science degree program is normally utilized by those students planning to transfer to a four-year institution at the completion of two years at Otero College in order to complete their Bachelor of Science degree.
Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission
Otero College uses multiple measures to direct students into appropriate English and Mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses. You may be required to complete an assessment, please check with your academic advisor or 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:
- Enroll at the same community college for at least four consecutive semesters, excluding summer.
- Register within one week of the beginning of registration for each semester.
- Have completed all required remedial coursework before beginning the count of two years to degree completion.
- 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.
- 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.
- Follow the signed plan of study.
- Continue with the same degree (AA or AS) from entrance to graduation.
- 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 1110: Planetary Astronomy with Lab (4 credits), and AST 1120: Stellar Astronomy with Lab (4 credits). This student could then complete the Natural and Physical Sciences requirement by taking Geology 1111: 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 January 31 for the Spring Semester and October 30 for the Fall Semester.
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
- May not use basic skills courses (those numbered below the general education core curriculum) toward the degree program.
- 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.
Associate of Science Degree Courses Guideline |
||
|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours | Available Courses | |
| (Written) Communication | 9 | ENG 1021 ENG 1022 COM 1150 or 1250 |
| Mathematics | 3 | MAT 1340 MAT 1420 MAT 1440 MAT 2410 MAT 2420 |
| Arts & Humanities | 6 | 2 GT courses from 2 different categories (AH1-AH4) Category One: ART 1110 ART 1111, 1112 ART 1113 MUS 1020, 1021 MUS 1022 MUS 1025 THE 1005 Category Two: HUM 1003 HUM 1015 HUM 1021 HUM 1022 HUM 1023 LIT 1015 LIT 2001, 2002 LIT 2005 LIT 2011, 2012 LIT 2021, 2022 LIT 2025 Category Three: PHI 1011 PHI 1012 PHI 1013 Category Four: SPA 2011, 2012 |
| Natural & Physical Sciences | 12 credits – 3 courses w/labs Two of three GT-SC1 lab science courses must be sequential. Example: AST 1110 AST 1120 GEY 1111 An ANT 1005 course taken BEFORE the 201610 semester will still count as a CORE, 3-credit Social & Behavioral Science (SS3) course. | AGY 2140 ANT 1005 AST 1110, AST 1120 BIO 1004 BIO 1111, 1112 BIO 2101, 2102 BIO 2104 CHE 1011, 1012 CHE 1111, 1112 GEY 1111, 1112 GEY 1155 PHY 1111, 1112 PHY 2111, 2112 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 6 A student can fulfill this requirement by taking either two guaranteed transfer Social & Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS3, GT-SS3) OR by taking one guaranteed transfer Social & Behavioral Science course (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3) and one guaranteed transfer History course (GT-HI1) in addition to the guaranteed transfer History (GT-HI1) credit required below. | 2 GT courses from any category (SS1-SS3) Category One: AGE 1102 ECO 2001, 2002 PSC 2020 PSC 1011 PSC 1025 PSC 2005 Category Two: GEO 1005 Category Three: AGR 2160 ANT 1001 ANT 1003 CRJ 1010 PSY 1001, 1002 PSY 2331, 2440 PSY 2441, 2552 SOC 1001, 1002 SOC 2031 |
| History | 3 | HIS 1310,1320 HIS 1210,1220 HIS 2135 |
| Electives: 21 credits | ||
Career and Technical Certificates
Career and Technical Education certificate programs provide students with the skills necessary to obtain entrance-level employment in the field of their educational program. The following programs generally run for one to four semesters depending on the student’s interests and objectives.
Students with previous occupational courses in high school or training in military services, or training via some other source may be given allowance for credit or advanced standing in the Career and Technical Education program of their choice.
Training includes job skill development as well as the necessary related technical information necessary to enhance an individual’s productivity in the world of work.
Certificate Programs
The programs outlined on the following pages are for guidance of students and advisors; they may be changed only on approval.
Minimum Competency Standards for Program Admission
Otero College uses multiple measures to direct students into appropriate English and Mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses. You may be required to complete an assessment, please check with your academic advisor or call Student Services at 719-384-6831, for more information regarding course placement.
Certificate Requirements
- Students must pass all program courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
- Students must complete through Otero College, 25% of required credits to earn a certificate.
- Complete the Application to Graduate by the application deadline of October 30th for fall semester and January 31st for the spring semester.
- Meet all financial obligations to the College.
General Information
Career and Technical Education programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment. Many of these courses are equivalent to college level academic course offerings and may be accepted by some college disciplines later if the student decides to transfer to a four-year institution.
Gainful Employment Resource Information
The US Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
Find the specific program you are interested in to learn more about salaries and future employment projections. If you have questions about the data provided, contact Otero Student Services at 719-384-6831.
The listing of a course or program in this or any other college publication does not constitute a guarantee, nor contract, that the particular course or program will be offered during the time listed. All courses or programs are subject to scheduling changes or cancellations. Every effort to inform students of such changes and/or cancellations will be made.
Transfer Degrees
Associate of Arts & Associate of Science Transfer Degrees
Colorado public four-year higher education institutions will honor the transfer of an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree earned at a Colorado public institution that offers A.A. or A.S. degrees. A student who earns an A.A. or A.S. degree at a Colorado public college, which includes completing the state guaranteed general education courses with a grade of “C” or better in all courses, will transfer with junior standing into any arts and science degree program offered by a Colorado public four-year college. The receiving institution will evaluate credit for prior learning, advanced placement, and correspondence courses following its standard policy.
Programs of Study: Transfer Degrees
The transfer degree program curricula are designed to prepare the student to transfer to a four-year college or university with Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements developed by the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The purpose of a statewide transfer articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete a bachelor’s degree program (B.A. or B.S.) at any public four-year college or university that offers that bachelor’s degree program.
Transfer of General Education
Colorado’s state guaranteed general education transfer (GT) courses are designed to allow students to begin their general education courses at one Colorado public higher education institution and later transfer to another without loss of general education credits. That is, the state guaranteed general education may be applied to the general education graduation requirement or the graduation requirements of the declared major, whichever is in the student’s best interest. Effective fall 2003, Colorado policy ensures that students who successfully complete a state guaranteed general education course will receive transfer credits applied to graduation requirements in all majors at all public institutions unless a specific statewide articulation agreement exists. The state’s guaranteed general education curriculum is organized into five categories: communication, mathematics, fine arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and life sciences. To complete the Colorado state guaranteed general education core, students are required to take 11 courses or 38 to 39 semester credit hours and earn a “C” grade or better in each course. The guarantee is limited to the number of semester credit hours in each general education category.