Associate in Science Degrees

Associate in Science―Overview

The Associate in Science (AS) degree program prepares students for employment in selected fields. A certificate may be awarded in some programs after one year or less of prescribed work. An official high school transcript indicating graduation or official GED scores indicating successful completion and an official transcript sent directly from each college and university previously attended are required for admission to a College Credit Certificate program. Students who wish to transfer should pursue the Associate in Arts (AA) degree or the AS degree in one of the statewide articulated AS to BS/BA degree programs.

Associate in Science Degree Program

The Associate in Science (AS) degree will be awarded upon completion of the program hours shown in the PHSC Catalog and Student Handbook. All Associate in Science degrees include at least 15 credit hours of General Education courses. All PHSC AS degrees include English Composition I, (ENC 1101) and Microcomputer Applications, (CGS 1100). A grade of "C" or higher is required for all General Education courses, whether they are being used to fulfill program or elective requirements. At least 25 percent of the credits toward the degree, other than Credit-by-Exam, CLEP, or Advanced Placement, must be earned in residence at PHSC. A cumulative, degree-level grade point average of not less than 2.0 or "C" must be achieved prior to graduation.

Objectives of the AS Degree

The purpose of the AS degree is to prepare students to enter the workforce. Students who wish to transfer should contact the university to determine the transferability of courses. Statewide articulation exists between PHSC and the State University System and between selected public and private colleges and universities for some of the AS degrees to provide the opportunity to continue in a bachelor's degree program.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

The General Education curriculum at PHSC provides students with varied opportunities to integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are essential for personal, intellectual and professional enrichment. The College's General Education curriculum assures breadth that cannot be found in any specific discipline. It exposes all degree-seeking students to a diversity of disciplines.

A student learning outcome is a statement of knowledge, skills, or attitudes that a student will be able to demonstrate, represent, or product as a result of a given educational experience. The College's General Education Student Learning Outcomes are:

• Communication: Students will display effective reading, writing, speaking, listening and nonverbal communication skills.
• Critical Thinking : Students will think creatively, logically, critically, and reflectively analyze, synthesize, use and evaluate information.
• Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning: Students will apply scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning to solve problems.
• Information Literacy and Technological Fluency: Students will demonstrate the fluent use of technology to locate, organize, analyze and document information from a variety of resources.
• Cultural Literacy and Global Awareness: Students will develop a critical understanding of the social, behavioral, cultural, ethical, global and historical processes that define human diversity.

AS and College Credit Certificate Programs

PHSC is authorized to award the Associate in Science (AS) degree and College Credit Certificates in career/technical fields upon satisfactory completion of the established standard number of credit hours required for each specific AS program as approved by the Division of Florida Colleges. Individuals must complete the 15-hour General Education courses for the AS degree and the remaining hours from an approved program. Only courses designated at the 1000 and 2000 levels are applicable to this degree. At least 25 percent of the credits toward the degree, other than Credit-by-Exam, CLEP, or Advanced Placement, must be earned in residence at PHSC. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of not less than 2.0 or "C" must be achieved by graduation. In all College Credit Certificate programs, a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.0 or "C" must be achieved. After completing the specified number of hours in a College Credit Certificate program, a student may continue in an AS degree. Students who wish to transfer credits from any AS program to another institution must accept the responsibility for securing approval in advance from that institution.

Health Programs Accreditation

The Dental Hygiene Program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP).

The Nursing (Associate Degree) R.N. Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).