Degree Program
A degree program is a broadly structured curriculum leading to the award of an associate’s degree and is listed on the diploma.

Major
A major is a grouping of 100 and 200-level courses that define a discipline or interdisciplinary specialty.

Career Studies Certificate
A career studies certificate program is defined as a program of study of not less than 9 nor more than 29 semester credit hours. Career studies certificate programs are not required to include general education.

Certificate
A certificate program is defined as a curriculum of study less than two years in length that consists of a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 59 semester credit hours.  A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of a certificate’s credit hour requirement shall be in general education and must must include one (1) three (3) credit hour English class.

Diploma
A diploma program is defined as a two-year curriculum of study that consists of a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 72 semester hours with an emphasis in a career/technical area.  Exceptions to credit hour limits must be justified on the basis of documented business and industry requirements or standards.  A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of a diploma’s credit hour requirement shall be in general education.  The general education requirements must include one (1) three (3) credit hour English class.