Degrees and Programs
Pensacola State College offers a wide variety of academic programs to the residents of the College’s service area. The focus of each program is to assist each student reach his or her educational or career goals.
The College offers baccalaureate degrees that prepare the student for a career or for career advancement in a business or healthcare field. Baccalaureate courses are available at a variety of times and in a variety of learning environments including online, hybrid, and face-to-face in order to accommodate both the full-time student as well as the working professional who is enrolled part-time.
Several Advanced Technical Certificates (ATCs) are available for the student who has completed an associate degree and wishes to gain specialized knowledge and earn an additional academic credential. In some cases, coursework required for an ATC articulates into an appropriate baccalaureate program at Pensacola State College allowing the student to move easily from an ATC into a baccalaureate degree program.
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares the student for transfer into a baccalaureate degree program. Advising tracks are available to assist each student with identifying appropriate courses for the intended four-year degree. A student earning the Associate in Arts degree may remain at Pensacola State College to complete a baccalaureate degree or transfer seamlessly to any state college or university in the state of Florida system.
Associate in Science (AS) degrees are specialized programs that prepare a student to enter a career field. These programs allow the student to gain career-specific information with an abbreviated general education curriculum; therefore, the Associate in Science degree focuses mainly on coursework specific to the discipline of the program. Associate in Science programs are built around curriculum frameworks produced by the Florida Department of Education. Personnel from each program coordinate with an Advisory Council of local professionals to ensure that the program includes current information as well as marketable skills. Associate in Science programs do not have guaranteed transfer to universities; however, many AS programs will transfer into Pensacola State College baccalaureate programs.
A number of college credit certificate (CCC) programs are available for the student who wishes to learn specific skills or information and earn an academic credential. These programs are limited only to courses needed to deliver the knowledge that is specified in the curriculum frameworks provided by the Florida Department of Education. Most college credit certificates are embedded in AS programs, enabling a student to complete the CCC while progressing toward the AS degree.
Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) programs prepare the student for immediate entry into a career. These programs require prescribed technical courses. Most credits earned in ATD programs will transfer into AA or AS programs.
Career Certificate or Vocational Certificate (VC) clock hour programs include instruction in required skills as specified in the Florida Department of Education curriculum frameworks to prepare the student for entry into the workforce. Career certificates are closely tied to the local workforce needs and offer a student a quick path to employment.
Developmental education courses enable a student to attain the skills in communication and computation that are necessary for success at the college level. Once the necessary developmental education coursework in a subject area is complete, the student is
prepared to enroll in college level courses that require placement at the college level.
Baccalaureate Degrees
The Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business and Management, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are baccalaureate programs designed to accommodate the unique demands for entry and advancement within specific workforce sectors. These programs provide degree completion opportunities for the student from any of a variety of educational backgrounds but are primarily designed for the student with an earned associate degree.
Per Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.030, prior to entry into the upper division, a student must complete with a grade of C or higher ENC 1101, ENC 1102, and 6 semester hours of additional coursework designated as writing emphasis (12 semester hours of writing emphasis coursework). In addition, a student must complete 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework, with a grade of C or higher, at the level of College Algebra or above. These 18 semester hours of writing emphasis and mathematics coursework count toward the 36 credit hour general education curriculum each baccalaureate student must complete. Each baccalaureate student must also satisfy the foreign language requirement and civic literacy requirement as defined in the general education section of this College Catalog.
Excess Hours Advisory Statement
Florida Statute establishes an excess hour surcharge for a student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a state university. It is critical that students, including those entering Florida state colleges, are aware of the potential for additional course fees.
Excess hours are defined as hours that go beyond 120% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program. For example, if the length of the program is 120 credit hours, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 144 credit hours (120 x 120%).
All students whose educational plan may include earning a bachelor’s degree should make every effort to enroll in and successfully complete those courses that are required for their intended major on their first attempt. Florida college students intending to transfer to a state university should identify a major or transfer program early and be advised of admission requirements for that program, including the approved common prerequisites. Course withdrawals and/or repeats as well as enrollment in courses non-essential to the intended major may contribute to a potential excess hours surcharge.
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