Programs of study

All CPEC students are enrolled into the Associate in Arts when they apply. This is the most common degree for students intending to transfer to a four year college or university. Students may change their program of study to another transfer degree (Associate in Science ,Associate in Engineering), if they would like to. Students may also change to an Associate in Applied Science degree, but should to be aware that some of these programs have prerequisites and a separate admissions process. Changes in to a degree program assignment happen with the Central Piedmont Academic Advisors.

All degree programs offered at Central Piedmont can be viewed here.

AA Checklist 2023.pdf

Associate in Arts

The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The components of the degree meet requirements for majors in the Liberal Arts. The degree will transfer as a block without loss of credit to many North Carolina public universities and other institutions with articulation agreements. Semester credit hours used to satisfy the AA degree will apply to university graduation requirements of the university major for which the AA is designed.

CPEC students are initially enrolled in the Associate in Arts degree. It is recommended for students planning to major in non-STEM fields, including English, social sciences, humanities, business, accounting, and nursing. It is also the best degree for students majoring in computer science.

AS BIO Checklist 2023.pdf

Associate in Science

The Associate in Science degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The components of the degree meet requirements for majors with more stringent mathematics and mathematics-based science programs. The degree will transfer as a block without loss of credit to many North Carolina public universities and other institutions with articulation agreements. Semester credit hours used to satisfy the AS degree will apply to university graduation requirements of the university major for which the AS is designed.

Students will complete a pathway within this major- either Bio/Life Sciences or Physical Science/Chemistry. This is recommended for students planning to major in a STEM field besides computer science.

AE Checklist 2023.pdf

Associate in Engineering

The Associate in Engineering (AE) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to 4-year colleges and universities to major in Engineering. The degree will transfer as a block to North Carolina public universities and other institutions which participate in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). Electives should be selected based on the intended major.

*This degree requires an intensive math sequence. To complete the degree, CPEC students need to have either completed CPCC's MAT 271 Calculus I and MAT 272 Calculus II or earned AP credit in Calculus AB/BC by the end of 12th grade.

For specific pathways within the AA degree program, click here to see course suggestions for students interested in transferring credits in Business, Communication, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, Healthcare, IT, Math/Sci, or Public Safety.

Associate in Applied Science

CPEC students can also enroll in many Associate in Applied Science degrees, which are degrees meant to prepare students to enter the workforce rather than to transfer to another college or university. Be aware that there is no guarantee the courses in these degrees will transfer (in fact, many of them will not). Also, several of these degree programs, including all Health Sciences programs, Cosmetology, American Sign Language Interpreter, and others, have prerequisites and/or a separate application process students must complete before they can enroll in the programs. Please contact Mrs. DeAntonio if you are interested in applying to these programs.

Associate in Applied Science Options

Course Transferability

The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement guarantees the courses in both the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees will transfer to any university in the UNC system. Completion of the degree will waive the university's general education requirements, with the exception of physical education and foreign language requirements, and guarantee admission to at least 1 of the 16 UNC system schools. Several private/independent colleges in North Carolina have agreed to this as well in the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the college from which they graduated, and a grade of “C” or better in all CAA courses.

The Uniform Articulation Agreement for the Associate in Engineering provides that completion of the degree will guarantee students transfer at least 60 credit hours to a participating school, but due to engineering programs being highly competitive, does not guarantee admission. To be eligible for the transfer of credits under the AE to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Articulation Agreement, community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Institutions outside of North Carolina will evaluate your credits on a class-by-class basis, and will grant credit according to their transfer policies. Students interested in applying to institutions outside of North Carolina are responsible for contacting those colleges to determine how credits will transfer.

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