Academic Programs

Programs of Study

Las Positas College is authorized by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to confer the Associate Degree, Associate Degree for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Accomplishment, Certificate of Competency and Certificate of Completion upon students who complete the necessary requirements. Please see Degree & Certificate requirements for further information.

Associate Degree

Las Positas College offers the Associate Degree. These degrees include Career Technical Education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry, Transfer Preparation programs designed to prepare students for transfer to a University in baccalaureate program, and Local programs designed as a record of academic achievement. These consist of the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree and Associate of Science (AS) Degree. The AS Degree is primarily for any Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field and Career Technical Education programs, and the AA Degree is primarily for all other disciplines.

The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. Within each AA and AS Degree, there is a required general education component. General Education courses are grouped into several broad areas and are designed to cultivate intellect and imagination and to broaden awareness of the relationship and interdependence of ideas and disciplines. Students may elect to earn the degree following the CSU GE-B or IGETC (for CSU) pattern if they so choose, but this may require the student to take more than 60 units to earn for degree. All courses for the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a C or P.

Associate Degree for Transfer (AD-T)

Las Positas College offers the Associate Degree for Transfer (AD-T) to the CSU. These consist of the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Degree and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degree. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. Students who are awarded an AA-T Degree or AS-T Degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. In addition to the guaranteed admission, students will be given a special GPA advantage. Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units for programs deemed similar. To view the most current list of Las Positas College Associate Degrees for Transfer and to find out which CSU campuses accept each degree, please go to www.sb1440.org. Current and prospective students are encouraged to meet with a Counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

The Associate Degree for Transfer is conferred upon those students who complete the 60 semester units of the degree pattern that are eligible for transfer to the California State University with a gradepoint average of 2.0 or better of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. Within each AD-T Degree, there is a required general education component (see the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) and California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-B) charts in this Catalog). To earn an AD-T, a student is required to complete either the CSU GE-B Pattern, or the IGETC (for CSU) Pattern. In some special cases the IGETC for STEM (for CSU) or the CSU GE-B for STEM Pattern may be required instead. AD-Ts also require the students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. All courses for the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a “C” (or “P”).

Certificate of Achievement

Las Positas College offers the Certificate of Achievement. These certificates include Career Technical Education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry, Transfer Preparation programs designed to prepare students for transfer to a University in baccalaureate program, and Local programs designed to as a record of academic achievement.

The Certificate of Achievement conferred upon those students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and complete at least (50%) of the required program at Las Positas College (or Chabot College).

Certificate of Accomplishment

Las Positas College offers the Certificate of Accomplishment. The courses of study within these certificates includes Career Technical Education programs designed to prepare for direct job entry and Local programs designed to as a record of academic achievement. Individual courses will appear on a student’s transcript. The name of the certificate and completion of industry-based professional development will also be noted.

The Certificate of Accomplishment is awarded those students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and completes at least 50% of the required program at Las Positas College, including the final course.

Certificate of Competency

A Certificate of Competency is a noncredit certificate intended for students who do not need credit for transfer or for employment but wish to improve their basic skills in English or Mathematics or learn English as a second language.

The Certificate of Competency is awarded those students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate.

Certificate of Completion

A Certificate of Completion is a noncredit certificate intended for students who do not need credit for transfer but who wish to obtain the knowledge and preparation of skills needed for entry level positions in the workforce or obtain short-term vocational skills needed for immediate employment.

The Certificate of Completion is awarded those students who successfully complete the required courses for the certificate.