Pending Governing Board Approval, 8/27/19. For the most current information regarding common policies degree requirements, log on to https://
curriculum.maricopa.edu/curriculum/degrees-certificates/associate-degrees/academic-policies
1 9 2 CGCC Catalog & Student Handbook 2019-2020 | Degree Requirements
GPH Physical Geography 111/ 112&113/211/212&214/213&215
PHS Physical Science 110/ 120
PHY Physics 101/ 101AA/ 111/ 111AA/ 112/ 115/ 116/ 121/ 131
PSY Psychology 275/290AB/290AC
Maricopa Communit y Colleges (MCCCD) 2019-2020
Academic Cer tificate (AC)
Purpose of the Academic Certificate
The Maricopa Community College District Academic Certificate (AC) is a defined and coherent program of study that is
recommended for students who wish to gain additional expertise in a specific area of emphasis in an academic discipline.
While this program of study can result in proficiency in specified skills and competencies, as well as mastery of a body of
knowledge, it is not designed to prepare someone for employment in a specific occupation. The coursework for an
Academic Certificate may be from a variety of disciplines or it can be discipline specific. There is no required general
studies component to an Academic Certificate; however, the program may include some courses that have specific
general studies designations such as Humanities, Arts and Design [HU], Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB], Literacy and
Critical Inquiry [L], or Cultural Awareness [C]. (See AGEC matrix for current course values.)
Academic Policies that Govern the Academic Certificate
• Although, the program of study for an Academic Certificate (AC) does not have a mandated minimum number of
credit hours, most ACs require approximately 12-39 credit hours in courses numbered 100 and above;
• Requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in required courses for completion;
• Follows the graduation policies listed in the college's general catalog for the appropriate catalog year;
• Any course cross-referenced under another prefix(es) (for example ENH291/EDU291/STO291-Children's Literature) covers
identical content and its credits can only be counted once toward certificate requirements;.
• Although ACs may include a subset of coursework required in particular transfer degree, the intent of an AC is not to
align with any specific university major. There is no presumption of block transfer to another college or university;
• May have admission criteria established by the college if and when appropriate;
• Generally offered at a limited number of colleges. For a listing of all ACs available in the district and their affiliated
college(s) see the CCTA website.
Maricopa Communit y Colleges (MCCCD) Allied Health
or Nursing Program (S-13)
Allied Health or Nursing Assumption of Risk/Release of Liability
Most of the allied health or nursing program pathways include a program of study in a clinical training environment that
may contain exposures to risks inherent in patient-oriented educational experiences (such as but not limited to bodily
injury or communicable and infectious diseases). Students enrolling in clinical educational courses will be asked to sign a
statement assuming all risks inherent in their coursework.
Use of Confidential Information
Students enrolled in allied health or nursing program pathways will have learning experiences in a health care setting
where they will have access to confidential information. Prior to beginning any clinical studies, the students will be
