Getting Your Degree At Napa Valley College
An associate degree documents students’ educational achievements and provides them with a foundation for future learning. Since most jobs in the future will require some education beyond high school, the associate degree will make students more competitive in the job market.
Associate Degree (AA/AS) Requirements
To be awarded the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degrees (AA or AS), students must meet the following requirements:
- Unit Requirement – 60 semester units in courses numbered between 90 and 399. Units from other colleges may be used if they are determined acceptable by the Admissions and Records Office. These units must include both completion of major or area of emphasis requirements and general education requirements as specified in this AP and published in the NVC catalog.
- Scholarship Requirement - Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or better with a “C” or better in all classes in the major.
- Residence Requirement – Completion of 12 semester units at NVC and attendance at NVC during the semester prior to graduation or 30 semester units completed at NVC.
Graduation Requirements
Note: Students who have already earned a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university are exempted from the General Education and Graduation requirements.
1. General Education Requirement
Completion of 18-21 semester units of general education; one course of at least three units in each area.
2. Health, Wellness and Self Devlopment
(Minimum 1 course, total of 3 semester units required)
Exemptions are the following: students majoring in Health Occupations or Veterans with 6 months of service. May be double counted.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ARTS-100 | Survey of Studio Arts | 3 |
ARTH-101 | Introduction to Visual Culture | 3 |
BUSI-297 | Personal Money Management | 3 |
CFS-120 | Child Development | 3 |
CFS-121 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 |
CFS-140 | The Child, Family and Community | 3 |
CFS-196 | Music and Movement in Early Childhood | 3 |
COMS-101 | Computer Information Systems | 3 |
COUN-100 | College Success | 3 |
COUN-104 | Foundations of Well-being | 3 |
COUN-105 | Planning for Transfer Success | 1.5 |
COUN-110 | Career/Life Plan | 3 |
COUN-111 | Career Decision-Making | 1.5 |
DANS-128A | Salsa and Latin Social Dance I | 1-1.5 |
DANS-128B | Salsa & Latin Social Dance II | 1-1.5 |
DANS-128C | Salsa & Latin Dance Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-133 | Barre Fitness | 1-1.5 |
DANS-134 | Ballet Level I | 1-1.5 |
DANS-134B | Ballet II | 1-1.5 |
DANS-134D | Ballet Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-134D | Ballet Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-135 | Street Jazz (Beginning Hip Hop) | 1-1.5 |
DANS-135B | Street Jazz (Hip Hop) Level 2 | 1-1.5 |
DANS-135D | St Jazz (beginning Hip Hop) Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-136 | Jazz Dance I | 1-1.5 |
DANS-136B | Jazz Dance II | 1-1.5 |
DANS-136D | Jazz Dance Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-137A | Tap Dance 1 | 1-1.5 |
DANS-137B | Tap Dance 2 | 1-1.5 |
DANS-137C | Tap Dance Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-138 | Modern Dance Level I | 1-1.5 |
DANS-138B | Modern Dance II | 1-1.5 |
DANS-138D | Modern Dance Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-138D | Modern Dance Teaching Assistant | 1-1.5 |
DANS-140 | Dance Production | 1-1.5 |
DANS-141 | Dance Production - B | 0.5-1.5 |
DANS-142 | Choreography | 2 |
DANS-154 | Mat Pilates | 1-1.5 |
DANS-154B | Intermediate Pilates | 1-1.5 |
DANS-160 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
DANS-170 | Dance History | 3 |
DART-120 | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |
EDUC-100 | Teaching as a Profession | 3 |
ENGL-200 | Introduction to Creative Writing 1 | 3 |
ENGL-203 | Poetry Workshop 1 | 3 |
ENGL-205 | Fiction Workshop | 3 |
HELH-100 | Community First Aid & Safety | 3 |
HELH-106 | Personal & Community Health | 3 |
KINE-100 | Swimming | 1.5 |
KINE-100B | Intermediate Swimming | 1.5 |
KINE-101 | Muscle and Tension Release Techniques | 1.5 |
KINE-103 | Fitness for Life | 1.5 |
KINE-115 | Cross Training | 1.5 |
KINE-123 | Tennis | 1.5 |
KINE-123B | Intermediate Tennis | 1.5 |
KINE-129 | Spinning | 1.5 |
KINE-129B | Intermediate Spinning | 1.5 |
KINE-130 | Yoga | 1.5 |
KINE-130B | Intermediate Yoga | 1.5 |
KINE-131 | Cardio Kickboxing | 1.5 |
KINE-131B | Intermediate Cardio Kickboxing | 1.5 |
KINE-133 | Body Sculpting | 1.5 |
KINE-133B | Intermediate Body Sculpting | 1.5 |
KINE-139 | Kickboxing With Jeet Kune Do Concepts Level 1 | 1.5 |
KINE-139D | Kickboxing With Jeet Kune Do Concepts Level 1 | 1.5 |
KINE-146 | Fitness Flexibility | 1.5 |
KINE-146B | Intermediate Fitness and Flexibility | 1.5 |
KINE-148 | Walking for Fitness | 1.5 |
KINE-148B | Intermediate Walking for Fitness | 1.5 |
KINE-151 | Weight Training | 1.5 |
KINE-151B | Intermediate Weight Training | 1.5 |
KINE-151C | Olympic Weight Training | 1.5 |
KINE-154 | Mat Pilates | 1.5 |
KINE-154B | Intermediate Pilates | 1.5 |
KINE-160 | Adaptive Physical Education | 1.5 |
KINE-174 | Skills and Conditioning for Team Sports | 1-3 |
KINE-176 | Team Sports | 1-1.5 |
KINE-176B | Intermediate Team Sports | 1-1.5 |
KINE-178 | Pre-Season Conditioning | 1-3 |
KINE-190 | Introduction to Personal Training | 3 |
KINE-200 | Coaching & Athletic Administration | 3 |
KINE-201 | Introduction to Kinesiology | 3 |
KINE-203 | Introduction to Applied Sports Psychology | 3 |
KINE-285 | Men's Basketball Team | 0.5-3 |
KINE-286 | Women's Basketball Team | 0.5-3 |
KINE-287 | Baseball Team | 3 |
KINE-290 | Golf Team | 3 |
KINE-291 | Soccer Team | 3 |
KINE-292 | Softball Team | 3 |
KINE-297 | Women's Volleyball Team | 3 |
LIBR-100 | Information & Library Research Skills | 1 |
PHOT-120 | Foundations of Photography | 3 |
PSYC-C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
PSYC-124 | Psychology of Adjustment | 3 |
PSYC-135 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
3. Completing a Major
Refer to the Programs of Study section of the catalog for the list of required courses to complete the major. Students should consult with a counselor and their program coordinator to ensure that all requirements for the major are being met. Multiple Associates Degrees: Students can complete the requirements for more than one degree upon graduation, providing that all requirements are met for each academic program.
4. Petition to Graduate
All candidates for AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T graduation must schedule a counseling appointment to apply for graduation and must file a petition in the Admissions and Records Office by the ninth week of the semester they wish to graduate. During the summer, students must file during the fifth week if they want to graduate in the summer semester. Candidates applying for Certificate of Achievement must apply for graduation with the program coordinator. Graduation petition deadlines are posted on the Admissions and Records website (select the Admissions and Records Calendar).
Only eligible students earning a degree or certificate of achievement from the previous summer and fall semester, as well as the current spring semester are eligible to participate in the annual commencement ceremony, which is traditionally held on the second to last Thursday in May. Check the Office of Student Affairs website for more information about commencement.
Associate of Arts Degrees (A.A.)
- Art History: AA
- Culinary Arts-Professional: AA
- Dance: AA
- Digital Art: AA
- Ethnic Studies: AA
- Graphic Design: AA
- Music-Instrumental Emphasis: AA
- Music-Vocal Emphasis: AA
- Musical Theater: AA
- Photography: AA
- Psychology: AA
- Spanish for Heritage Speakers: AA
- Spanish for Non-Heritage Speakers: AA
- Studio Arts: AA
- Theater Arts-Acting: AA
- Theater Arts-Technical Theater: AA
- University Preparation for a Specific Major: AA
Associate of Science Degrees (A.S.)
- Accounting: AS
- Addiction Studies: AS
- Administration of Justice: AS
- Business Administration: AS
- Child and Family Studies: AS
- Digital Design Graphics Technology: AS
- EMT-P Paramedic: AS
- Entrepreneurship: AS
- Human Services: AS
- LGBT Education: AS
- Machine Tool Technology: AS
- Natural Science: AS
- Nursing: AS
- Pre-Health Science: AS
- Psychiatric Technician-Three Semester: AS
- Respiratory Care: AS
- Viticulture: AS
- Welding Technology: AS
- Wine Marketing and Sales: AS
- Winemaking: AS
California Community Colleges offer Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) to the California State University (CSU) campuses. These degrees are specifically called the Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.
Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units.
To view the most current list of Napa Valley College Associate Degrees for Transfer and to find out which CSU campuses accept each degree, please check the website www.adegreewithaguarantee.com. Current and prospective community college students are strongly encouraged to meet with an NVC Counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop a comprehensive educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
Associate Degree For Transfer (ADT) Requirements
To be awarded the Associate in Arts for Transfer or the Associate in Science for Transfer degrees (AA-T or AS-T), students must meet the following requirements:
- Unit Requirement: A student is eligible for graduation with the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 CSU transferable units.
- Scholarship Requirement: Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better with a "C" or better in all classes in the major.
- Residency Requirement: Completion of at least 12 semester units at Napa Valley College and be in attendance during the semester prior to graduation or have accumulated 30 units of coursework at Napa Valley College.
Graduation Requirements
1. General Education Requirement
Students seeking an Associate in Arts for Transfer or an Associate in Science for Transfer may complete one of two patterns for general education - the California State University General Education (CSU-GE) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern. Students completing the IGETC pattern for transfer to a CSU campus should complete the Oral Communications requirements to meet additional admission criteria. Students completing the IGETC pattern for transfer to a UC campus should have the Language Other Than English (LOTE) Requirement completed.
2. OPTIONAL: CSU GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN U.S. HISTORY, CONSTITUTION & AMERICAN IDEALS
Not part of Cal-GETC; may be completed prior to transfer
(One course from Group 1 and One course from Group 2; 6 semester or 8 quarter units)
*Note: Courses for this requirement may double count for Area 4.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Group 1: U.S. History | ||
Select one course from the following; | ||
HIST-120 | United States History 1 | 3 |
HIST-121 | United States History 2 | 3 |
HIST-150 | History of American Women 1600-1900 | 3 |
HIST-152 | History of American Women Since 1900 | 3 |
HIST-165 | African American History | 3 |
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Group 2: Political Science | ||
Select one course from the following; | ||
POLS-C1000 | American Government and Politics Of American Government | 3 |
3. OPTIONAL: UC GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
(Not part of Cal-GETC; may be completed prior to transfer)
Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school study in the same language with a minimum grade of “C” or better.
Alternate ways to meet this requirement (Official High School/College transcript and/or Exam Score must be on file for verification)
- College course (must list course and college)
- High school course (must list course and college)
- Completion by examination (must list name of exam, score and date taken)
- SAT II : Subject Test in Languages other than English
- International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination with a score of 5 or higher
- Language other than English "O" level exam with a grade of A, B, or C
- Language other than English International "A" level exam with a score of 5, 6, or 7
- An achievement test administered by a community college, university or other college in a language other than English
- Two years of formal schooling at the sixth grade level or higher in an institution where the language of instruction is not English
- Faculty member verification of a student's competency
4. Completing a Major
This requirement is satisfied by completing the courses listed as required for the major under various disciplines in the college catalog. Refer to the Programs of Study section of the catalog for the list of required courses to complete the major. Students should consult with a counselor and their program coordinator to ensure that all requirements for the major are being met.
Multiple Associate Degrees: Students can complete the requirements for more than one degree upon graduation, providing that all requirements are met for each academic program.
5. Petition to Graduate
All candidates for AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T graduation must schedule a counseling appointment to apply for graduation and must file a petition in the Admissions and Records Office by the ninth week of the semester they wish to graduate. During the summer, students must file during the fifth week if they want to graduate in the summer semester. Candidates applying for Certificate of Achievement must apply for graduation with the program coordinator. Graduation petition deadlines are posted on the Admissions and Records website (select the Admissions and Records Calendar).
Only eligible students earning a degree or certificate of achievement from the previous summer and fall semester, as well as the current spring semester are eligible to participate in the annual commencement ceremony, which is traditionally held on the second to last Thursday in May. Check the Office of Student Affairs website for more information about commencement.
AA-T and AS-T Degree Applicable Courses
Only courses numbered 100 or higher can be applied to the AS-T or AA-T degrees. Courses numbered below 100 are applicable for other NVC degrees, but not for the AA-T or AS-T degrees.
Associate of Arts Degrees for Transfer (AA-T)
- Anthropology: AA-T
- Art History: AA-T
- Communication Studies 2.0: AA-T
- Economics: AA-T
- Elementary Teacher Education: AA-T
- English: AA-T
- History: AA-T
- Kinesiology: AA-T
- Music: AA-T
- Political Science: AA-T
- Psychology: AA-T
- Social Justice Studies: Ethnic Studies: AA-T
- Social Justice Studies-Gender Studies (AA-T)
- Social Justice Studies-LGBTQ Studies (AA-T)
- Social Work and Human Services: AA-T
- Sociology: AA-T
- Spanish: AA-T
- Studio Arts: AA-T
- Theater Arts: AA-T
Associate of Science Degrees for Transfer (AS-T)
Certificates of Achievement
Certificates of Achievement must be approved by the Chancellor's Office and must consist of at least 8 units or more of degree-applicable course work. The certificate of achievement is designed to demonstrate that the student has completed coursework and developed capabilities relating to a career or general education. After successful completion of the required courses with a "C" or better, students must complete the petition form with their respective program coordinator. Once complete, certificates of achievement will appear on a student's transcript.
Requirements:
- Complete major courses (with a grade of "C" or better, unless otherwise specified) as outlined in the catalog for a program approved as a Certificate of Achievement. Work with your Program Coordinator to certify that all requirements are met.
- Complete the petition form (Program Coordinator's signature is required) on the Admissions and Records website by the deadline and submit to the Office of Admissions and Records, North Lobby of Building 1300-Student Services Building. Petitions received after the deadline will be processed the following semester.
- Accounting-Bookkeeping: Certificate of Achievement
- Addiction Studies: Certificate of Achievement
- Architectural Drafting and Design: Certificate of Achievement
- CalGETC: Certificate of Achievement
- Career Communications: Certificate of Achievement
- Child and Family Studies: Certificate of Achievement
- Child and Family Studies-Associate Teacher: Certificate of Achievement
- Child and Family Studies-Associate Teacher with Administration: Certificate of Achievement
- Combination Welding Technician: Certificate of Achievement
- Content Marketing: Certificate of Achievement
- Culinary Arts-Advanced: Certificate of Achievement
- Digital Design Graphics Technology: Certificate of Achievement
- Early Childhood Intervention: Certificate of Achievement
- EMT-P Paramedic: Certificate of Achievement
- Entrepreneurship: Certificate of Achievement
- Geographic Information Systems: Certificate of Achievement
- Hospitality Management: Certificate of Achievement
- Human Services: Certificate of Achievement
- Law Enforcement-Administration of Justice: Certificate of Achievement
- Law Enforcement-Career Preparation (Certificate of Achievement)
- Law Enforcement-Community Policing: Certificate of Achievement
- Law Enforcement-Crime Scene Investigation (Certificate of Achievement)
- Law Enforcement-Juvenile Justice: Certificate of Achievement
- Law Enforcement-Mental Health and Addiction: Certificate of Achievement
- LGBT Education for Educators: Certificate of Achievement
- LGBT Education for Health Care Professionals: Certificate of Achievement
- LGBT Studies: Certificate of Achievement
- Machine Tool Technology: Certificate of Achievement
- Mechanical Drafting and Design: Certificate of Achievement
- Music-Mariachi: Certificate of Achievement
- Photography: Certificate of Achievement
- Psychiatric Technician-Fast-Track: Certificate of Achievement
- Psychiatric Technician-Three Semester: Certificate of Achievement
- Theater Arts-Acting: Certificate of Achievement
- Viticulture and Enology: Certificate of Achievement
- Welding Technician Basic: Certificate of Achievement
- Welding Technology: Certificate of Achievement
- Wine Marketing and Sales: Certificate of Achievement
- Wine Production (Certificate of Achievement)
Local and Skills Certificates
Skills Certificates and Local Certificates are not transcriptable, but usually give students a specific skillset or are achieved while working towards a degree. After successful completion of the required courses with a "C" or better, students must complete the petition form with their respective program coordinator to receive their local or skills certificate.
Requirements
- Complete major courses (with a grade of "C" or better, unless otherwise specified) as outlined in the catalog for a program approved as a Local or Skills Certificate. Work with your Program Coordinator to certify that all requirements are met.
- Complete the petition form (Program Coordinator's signature is required) on the Admissions and Records website, and submit this form to the Office of Academic Affairs, Room 1532- Building 1500 Administration Building.
- Child and Family Studies-Assistant: Local Certificate
- Child and Family Studies-Master Teacher Specialization: Local Certificate
- Intermediate Basic Culinary Skills: Skills Certificate
- Introductory Basic Culinary Skills: Skills Certificate
- Machine Tool Technology One-Year: Local Certificate
- Specialization in Administration and Mentoring: Skills Certificate
- Vineyard Management Local Certificate
- Vineyard Pest Scout Local Certificate
- Vineyard Pruning Local Certificate
- Viticulture Operations Local Certificate
- Welder's Assistant: Local Certificate
- Wine Laboratory Technician Local Certificate
- Winery Management Local Certificate
- Winery Operations Local Certificate