LIST OF DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Associate Degrees: California Community Colleges have unique relationships with the University of California and California State University systems so that students can move easily from a two-year to a four-year college. With proper planning, students can earn an associate degree while fulfilling the lower division requirements of a four-year school. When choosing courses at Merced College, students are encouraged to keep their options open for transfer.

Certificates of Achievement: Students interested in taking only the occupational major area classes will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Merced College upon the successful completion of the final occupational major area course. A minimum 2.0 grade point or better is required in the area of concentration, and a minimum of 12 units must be taken at Merced College.

Certificate of Proficiency: Certificates of proficiency are short-term certificates requiring fewer than 16 units of coursework that introduce students to one aspect of a trade or occupation. A certificate of proficiency is a good choice for students who wish to test a potential career area, who want to be competitive for entry-level jobs in one part of an industry, or who prefer to enter the industry and pursue further education in that field after they start working.

Adult Education & Noncredit Certificates: Noncredit instruction includes an array of tuition free, zero unit courses that help students reach their personal, academic and professional goals. Ten noncredit categories are established to classify a noncredit course in accordance with its primary objective: parenting, basic skills, ESL, citizenship, courses for adults with disabilities, short-term vocational, courses for older adults, home economics, health and safety, and workforce preparation.

Merced College awards Associate Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer, or Certificates in the following areas: