University Preparation for a Specific Major: Associate of Arts Degree

University Preparation in a Specific Major1 offers a degree option for students in a defined academic area in which our college offers the courses but not the associate degree. Completion of the University Preparation major acknowledges that the student has established a foundation of knowledge in the respective area of study and is designed to align lower division coursework with at least one university's major preparation pathway, as selected by the student. The degree may facilitate for the student a more advanced course of study at the baccalaureate level. Examples include University Preparation in Communicative Disorders and University Preparation in International Studies.

Career Opportunities

Will vary according to the four year institution's career opportunities as described by the specific transfer program. The following are examples of majors for this degree option: 1. Communication Sciences and Disorders at Sacramento State University. 2. International Relations at UC Davis.

Degree Requirements
1. Select one major option at a U.S. regionally-accredited four-year institution from the official articulation repository database (ASSIST.org) or from an institution in which NVC has an official articulation agreement. Complete major preparation coursework in selected major.
2. The lower division major preparation coursework must consist of a minimum of 18 articulated units from the selected major. If the required courses within the articulation agreement is less than 18 units for the major, then recommended or support courses may be counted. All required coursework in the articulation agreement must be completed if offered to meet the 18 unit requirement.
3. Complete general education requirements from NVC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC.
4. To fulfill the requirements for this degree, students will not only complete the required courses in the major, and an appropriate general education pattern of courses, but electives if needed totaling 60 semester degree-applicable units. Students selecting a CSU or UC major are to complete 60 CSU-transferable units.
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University Preparation for a Specific Major is a modification to the Transfer In A Specific Major (former program). Students who have already earned Transfer in A Specific Major degree are not eligible to apply for the University Preparation degree.

To receive an Associate Degree, students must complete 60 degree applicable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students must also complete the NVC General Education Pattern, the CSU General Education Pattern, or the IGETC General Education Pattern to earn this degree. Consultation with a Counselor is highly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.