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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND DISTANCE LEARNING
 

Many graduation requirements may be fullfilled by Distance Learning coursework. West Valley College will confer the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree upon a student who successfully completes the requirements listed below and has filed a petition in the Records Office by deadline dates printed in the current Schedule of Classes. A student who has remained in continuous attendance, and enrolled in at least one course per academic year, may elect to meet the degree requirements in effect at anytime during the student's period of continuous attendance. The associate degree may be sought as either a final educational goal or a major step toward a baccalaureate degree elsewhere. For many students, the successful completion of the A.S. degree will result in preparation to enter an occupation.

Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees
  1. Complete a minimum of 60 passing units of college work, 12 of which must be in residence. A maximum of 20 "CR" (credit/no credit) units may be applied toward the completion of the associate degree (see Grading Systems).
     
  2. Achieve a "C" (2.00) grade point average in 60 units of work reflected on all college transcripts submitted for graduation.
     
  3. Fulfill a major. Degrees are offered, upon completion of all the major requirements, only in majors listed in the college catalog.
     
  4. The Associate of Science degree is granted only in the areas of Engineering, Physics, Physical and Biological Science, and occupational curricula. All other majors are granted an Associate of Arts degree.
     
  5. Proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics is required for graduation with either associate degree.
     
    1. Reading: A grade equivalency score of at least 12th grade level on a standardized test such as the Nelson Denny or a grade of C or better in Reading 53, Speed and Critical Reading, or the completion with a grade of C or better in a California State University transferable 3 unit reading course taken at an accredited college or university that is substantially equivalent to Reading 53.
       
    2. Writing: Completion of the English composition requirements with a grade C or better.
       
    3. Mathematics: A grade of C or better in Math 104, 105, 106, 106R, 107 or G. or higher, or completion of comparable high school courses with a grade of C or better.

      The following classes are available via Distance Learning to help satisfy the Reading and Writing requirements:
     
    • English 1A (online)

      Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

General Education Requirements: 25 units

  1. Language and Rationality (6)
     
    1. English Composition (written composition) (3)

      2.  
    2. Communication and Analytical Thinking (3)

     
  2. Natural Sciences (3)
     
  3. Humanities (3)
     
  4. Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 - 6)
     
  5. Lifelong Understanding and Development (3)
    or select three (3) units from areas A, B, C, or D that are not part of the student's major.
     
  6. Cultural Diversity (3)
     
  7. Physical Education Activity (1)
     

General Education Course Options A - G

  1. Language and Rationality

    A minimum of six (6) semester units. A minimum of three (3) semester units is required in English Composition, 1A and a minimum of three (3) semester units in communication and analytical thinking courses:

    CIS 2, 4A; Engineering 21, 21A; English 1B, 1C (Honors); Mathematics 103/103R, 104, 105, 106/106R, 107, D, G, 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 8, 8 (Honors) 10, 10 (Honors), 12, 14, 18, 18 (Honors); Park Management 16A; Philosophy 2, 3, 9, 17; Reading 53; Communication Studies 1, 10, 10 (Honors), 20, 20 (Honors)

    The following classes are available via distance learning to help satisfy the Language and Rationality requirements:

    • English 1A (online)
    • English 1B (online)
    • English 1C (online)
    • Mathematics 106R (online)
    • Philosophy 17 (online)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

  2. Natural Sciences

    A minimum of three (3) semester units to include inquiry into the physical universe and its life forms.

    Anthropology 1; Astronomy 1, 2, 10, 11; Biology 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 (Honors), 24, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48; Chemistry 1A, 1B, 2, 30A, 30B; Geography 1; Geology 1A, 2B, 3B, 5, 15, 20; Health Care Technologies 4; Nutritional Science 1, 15; 0ceanography 1; Park Management 14; Physical Science 10, 20, 30; Physics 2AB, 4A, B, C, 10; Psychology 2, 2 (Honors)

    The following classes are available via distance learning to help satisfy the Natural Science requirement:

    • Astronomy 11 (telecourse)
    • Biology 24 (online)
    • Geography 1 (online)
    • Geology 1A (telecourse)
    • Nutritional Science 15 (online)
    • Nutritional Science 15 (telecourse)
    • Oceanography 1 (telecourse)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

  3. Humanities

    A minimum of three (3) semester units which cultivate the intellect, imagination, sensibility and sensitivity.

    American Sign Language 60A 60B; Art 1A, 1B, 1D, 1A (Honors), 1B (Honors) 1D (Honors) 4, 4 (Honors) 7, 10, 12A, 12B, 31 A, 31B, 33A, 33C, 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 36, 37, 38, 39A, 39B, 47A, 47B, 47C, 47D, 49A, 49B, 49C, 49D, 52, 54, 65A, 65B, 67A, 67B, 75A, 75B, 75C, 75D, 85A, 85B, 88A, 88B; Chinese 50A ; English 2 (Honors), 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6A (Honors), 6B (Honors), 7A, 7B, 12, 13, 16, 41, 43, 43 (Honors), 44, 47, 48, 49, 49 (Honors) 70; Fashion Design 32; French 1 A, 18, 2A, 28, 50A, 50B, 51A, 51B, 062; German 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 50A, 50B, 51A, 51B; Greek 50A; Humanities 1A, 1B, 2, 5; Italian 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 50A, 50B, 51A, 51B; Japanese 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 50A, 50B, 51A, 51B; Latin 50A, Music 3A, 4A, 4B, 5, 9, 10, 11, 20, 27, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A 33B, 34,35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43A, 43B, 48, 49, 51, 53, 60, 61, 63A, 63B; Philosophy 1, 3, 4, 4 (Honors) 6, 8, 8 (Honors), 12; Photography 1, 1L, 2, 2L, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 30, 45A, 45B, 45C, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75; Physical Education 3.1-3.24, 5.1, 5.2, Physical Education Theory 50; Russian I A, 1B, 50A, 50B; Spanish 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 50A, 50B, 51A, 51B; Theater Arts 1, 2A, 3A, 3B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, 10, 14A, 14B, 15, 15 (Honors), 16A, 16B, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 20, 21A, 21B, 21C, 22A, 22B, 22C, 30A, 33A, 33B, 35A, 35B, 40A 40B, 41A, 41B, 42, 44A, 44B, 47A, 47B, 60-72

    The following classes are available via distance learning to help satisfy the Humanities requirement:

    • Art 1A (online)
    • Art 1B (online)
    • Art 12A (online)
    • English 70A (online)
    • English 70B (online)
    • French 1A (online)
    • French 50A, 50B (telecourse)
    • French 51A, 51B (telecourse)
    • Music 5 (online)
    • Music 10 (online)
    • Music 10 (telecourse)
    • Philosophy 1 (online)
    • Spanish 50A, 50B (telecourse)
    • Spanish 51A, 51B (telecourse)
    • Theatre Arts 6A (online)
    • Theatre Arts 6B (online)
    • Theatre Arts 14A (online)
    • Theatre Arts 15 (online)
    • Theatre Arts 19A (online)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

  4. Social Science

    Series 1: Social and Behavioral Sciences:

    A minimum of three (3) semester units dealing with human, social, psychological, political, and economic institutions and behavior and their historical backgrounds, selected from among the following:

    Administration of Justice 1; Anthropology 2, 3, 3 (Honors), 4; Economics 1A, 1B, 1A, 1B (Honors); Geography 2, 2 (Honors); History 4B, 8B, 12, 14, 16, 20; Political Science 2, 3, 3 (Honors), 4; Psychology 1; Sociology 1

    Series 2: American History and institutions

    Demonstrate proficiency in American history or American government on a departmental examination OR complete the American History and Institutions requirement for California State University OR complete three (3) semester units with a credit or a grade of C or better either of the following:

    History 17B or Political Science 1, 1 (Honors); Honors Program Unit: Thought and Politics

    If history is used to fulfill the Series 2 requirement, a course from a discipline other than history must be used to satisfy the Series 1 requirement. If political science is used to fulfill the Series 2 requirement, a course from a discipline other than political science must be used to satisfy the Series 1 requirement.

    The following classes are available via distance learning to help satisfy the Social Science requirement:

    • Administraton of Justice 1 (online)
    • Anthropology 3 (online)
    • Economics 1A (online)
    • Economics 1B (online)
    • Geography 2 (online)
    • History 17B (online)
    • Political Science 1 (online)
    • Psychology 1 (online)
    • Sociology 1 (telecourse)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

  5. Lifelong Understanding and Development

    Option 1:
     
    Three (3) units from Area A, B, C or D, which are not part of the student's major.

    Option 2:
     
    Three (3) units from courses listed below. By assisting students in acquiring the skills necessary to adapt to change and set achievable goals, these courses cultivate self-understanding and the development of the student as an integrated individual in our modern society. Consideration is given to matters such as cognitive, effective and psychomotor development, health, stress management, and the key relationships of human beings with their social and physical environments.

    Business 61; Communication Studies 4, 8, 17, 18, 25; Counseling 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 25; Fashion Design 27; Health Education 7, 8, 9, 10, 12; Interdisciplinary Studies 4, 9A; Leadership 20A, 20B, 30A; Library 4; Psychology 12

    The following class is available via Distance Learning to help satisfy the Lifelong Understanding and Development requirement:

    • Counseling 12 (online)
    • Health Education 8 (online)
    • Health Education 12 (online)
    • Library 4 (online)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

  6. Cultural Diversity

    A minimum of three (3) semester units to prepare students for living harmoniously and working effectively in a multi-cultural society. Consideration is given to the experience, scholarship and accomplishments of the many cultures in our society, the promotion and fostering of a sense of inquiry about cultural diversity, and meeting the needs of our culturally diverse student population. A course used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill another general education requirement, i.e. double counting is not permitted.

    Child Study 5; Communication Studies 12; Counseling 50; English 12, 13, 18, 46, 46 (Honors); History 3; Philosophy 16, 21; Physical Education 51, 51 (Honors); Political Science 5; Psychology 9; Sociology 20; Women Studies 1

    The following class is available via Distance Learning to help satisfy the Cultural Diversity requirement:

    • Communication Studies 12 (online)
    • Counseling 50 (online)
    • Psychology 9 (online)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

     

  7. Physical Education Activity

    A one (1) semester unit activity course in physical education (P.E. 1 - 10) will be required to receive an Associate Degree. A course used to fulfil this requirement cannot be used to fulfill another associate degree requirement i.e. double counting is not permitted.

    The following class is available via Distance Learning to help satisfy the Physical Education Activity requirement:

    • P.E. 4.12 (telecourse)

    Check the current West Valley schedule of classes for section numbers and details.

Catalog Requirement for Degree Consideration (Continuous Enrollment)

A continuing student for degree consideration is one who attends West Valley College or Mission College at least one semester or summer session each academic year. A returning student for degree consideration is one who drops out for one year or more.

Second Associate Degree

Students may earn a second Associate Degree which recognizes the previously completed general education and major requirements of the first degree. However, major requirements for the second degree must be completed within five years of the awarding of the first Associate Degree. For continuing students, the general education and major requirements for the second degree are those listed in the College Catalog for the academic year in which the student first takes courses for the first degree or any subsequent catalog thereafter. For returning students, the requirements are those listed in the College Catalog for the year in which the student returns or any subsequent catalog thereafter. Students must complete all units required for the second degree. If fewer than 15 units are needed, additional units to total a minimum of 15 units must be completed in an area related to the major.

Double Major

Students may earn a double major, and the requirements for the double major shall be those major requirements listed in the College Catalog for the academic year in which the student begins the course work for the second major.

Graduation Proficiency Requirement

Any student who is a candidate for an associate degree will be required to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. Students who intend to complete an associate degree are advised to discuss the proficiency requirements with a College counselor.

Credit for Advanced Placement Tests

You may fulfill part of your degree requirements with credit allowed for the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Tests with scores of 3, 4, or 5.
 
It is the student's responsibility to check with other institutions to determine the acceptability of any credit earned by examination.
 
Students must apply for advanced placement credit through the Records Office.