VCCS Policies

5.0.2.0 Associate degree programs provide a coherent, shared experience for students to develop the general education core competencies expected of them as college-educated individuals. General education, as an integrated and cohesive whole, provides the educational foundation necessary to promote intellectual and personal development. Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates of Virginia's Community Colleges will demonstrate competency in student learning outcomes (SLOs) determined and assessed by each college in 1) civic engagement, 2) critical thinking, 3) professional readiness, 4) quantitative literacy, 5) scientific literacy, and 6) written communication.   

General Education Curriculum Matrix Form

5.0.2.1 The associate degree programs within the Virginia's Community College System support a collegiate experience that meets the general education requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).  The following general education core competencies shall be included in the catalog of each college.

Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both as social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society. 

Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions. 

Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education. 

Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings. 

Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to us the scientific method, and to evaluate empirical information. 

Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms. 

5.0.2.2 Each college with the Virginia Community College System will be responsible for identifying appropriate learning outcomes relative to each of the six general education core competencies defined above, and for assessing those outcomes in accordance with SACSCOC accreditation standards and SCHEV policy. 

A common curriculum is a set of courses leading to a degree or certificate that has been developed by a statewide faculty group. (See Section 5.2 for policy on development of common curricula.) Such curricula may be established for transfer or career-technical programs. If a common curriculum exists, it will be posted to the VCCS intranet maintained by Academic and Workforce Programs Unit, VCCS System Office, and followed by all colleges that offer the program. 

A common curriculum is a set of courses leading to a degree or certificate that has been developed by a statewide faculty group. (See Section 5.2 for policy on development of common curricula.) Such curricula may be established for transfer or career-technical programs. If a common curriculum exists, it will be posted to the VCCS intranet maintained by Academic and Workforce Programs Unit, VCCS System Office, and followed by all colleges that offer the program. 

Associate Degree (Transfer)

College transfer programs encompass the first two years of baccalaureate study in the arts, sciences, and preprofessional fields. These programs must meet standards acceptable for transfer and maintain content and quality equivalent to four-year institutions to ensure a smooth transition for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree. View Qualifications of Faculty for Hiring and Credentialing here. 

Applied Associate Degree (Career/Technical Education)

Career and technical education programs prepare students for employment in industry, business, the professions, and government as technicians, semiprofessionals, apprentices, and skilled tradespersons. These programs typically require two years or less of training beyond high school and may include fields such as agriculture, business, health, industrial, and service occupations. Curricula should align with regional workforce needs, though the State Board may designate certain colleges to serve larger areas with specialized programs. View Qualifications of Faculty for Hiring and Credentialing here. 

Four-year institutions have the discretion to determine whether or not to accept and transfer credits from applied associates degrees, as well as establish Guaranteed Admission Agreements and/or Guaranteed Program Admissions Agreements.