Technical Credit Certificates

Technical Credit Certificate (Clock Hour Programs)―Overview

The Technical Credit Certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned technical credit certificate program of postsecondary studies in a specialized area. A minimum of 25 percent of the program, other than credit-by-examination, must be earned in residence at PHSC. A grade point average of not less than 2.0 or "C" must be achieved to receive a certificate. Only those courses that are part of the program are included in computing the program GPA for technical certificate programs.

In order to receive a certificate, students must achieve the state-required Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) score. TABE remediation is provided in the Teaching-Learning Centers on each campus. Nursing assistant, phlebotomy, and law enforcement and corrections students do not have a TABE requirement. Students who have an AA degree or higher, have satisfactory scores on the CPT, or are exempt from common placement testing, may not be required to complete a TABE test.

Additionally, students who complete a Technical Certificate or Applied Technology Diploma program requiring state licensure for employment can exempt the TABE test passing score requirement by passing the state licensure exam. To receive an exemption, students must petition the director of admissions and student records in writing and provide official documentation indicating they have passed the licensure exam.

Courses in these programs are not considered college credit and will not transfer to a university. Technical credit programs are designed to prepare students for an entry-level job. (See Listing of Technical Courses for instructional hours.)