The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges has authorized the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees to confer the degrees of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science.
The awarding of an Associate Degree symbolizes a successful attempt on the part of the college to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, to use mathematics, to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines, to be aware of other cultures and times, to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems, and to develop the capacity of self-understanding. In addition of these accomplishments, the student should possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.
A continuing student is one who has completed a minimum of one course per calendar year. Students who interrupt their attendance become subject to any new requirements which are in effect at the time they re-enroll.

LACC Core Competencies

These are the skills and abilities graduates of Los Angeles City College are expected to possess.

Area 1:     ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC SKILLS

                • Information Competency: Critical and Creative Thinking

                • Written and Oral Communication

                • Mathematical Competency/Quantitative Reasoning

                • Technological Literacy

Area 2:     PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

                • Self Assessment and Growth

                • Intellectual Engagement and Physical Wellness

                • Ethical Reasoning

                • Aesthetic Awareness and Appreciation

Area 3:     INTERPERSONAL/ INTERCULTURAL/ GLOBAL AWARENESS

                • Interpersonal Interaction and Community Participation

                • Intercultural Knowledge and Exploration

                • Discovering Global Issues

A “continuing student” is one who has completed a minimum of one course per calendar year.  Students who interrupt their attendance become subject to any new requirements which are in effect at the time they re-enroll.

Graduation Requirements

IV. Residence Requirement. Completion of at least 12 units or work in residence and attendance at the college during the semester in which the graduation requirements are completed. Exceptions may be made under special circumstances.
 

V. Course Requirements. Students who are majoring in programs of study for which 18-35 units are required in the major and/or are planning to transfer should complete Graduation Requirements “Plan A.” Students who are majoring in programs of study for which 36 or more units are required in the major and may not plan to transfer should complete Graduation Requirements “Plan B.” Students who are following Graduation Requirements “Plan B” and plan to transfer should select the eighteen units for graduation requirements from Graduation Requirements “Plan A” to ensure all the courses for the Graduation Requirements transfer.

Los Angeles City College offers over 115 degree and certificate programs in areas including the Arts, Business, Child Development, Cinema/Television, Cultural Studies, Computer Science, English, Foreign Languages, Health Care, Journalism, Law, Liberal Arts, Math, Psychology, Office Assistance and more. Associate degree programs designated as “Transfer Program” are designed for students planning to transfer to four-year universities and colleges as juniors. Students are urged to consult with one of our counselors to plan their academic programs and ensure successful transfer.

Associate degree programs designated “Career Program” are designed to prepare the student to enter occupational and technical fields upon graduation. Students interested in Career Programs who also plan to attend a four-year university, immediately after graduation or at a later point, should consult with one of our counselors on what other courses may be required to successfully transfer. Our Career Education programs also include certificate programs which require fewer general education courses.

Graduation “Plan A” has been designed for students who plan to transfer to either the California State University (CSU) system or the University of California (UC) system. The courses have been selected to parallel the CSU General Education plan. A transfer correlation outline that compares “Plan A,” the CSU General Education plan, and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) can be found at the end of this section. Verify the course description area of this catalog for transferability of courses found in these sections.

Major Requirements:
A minimum of eighteen (18) semester units of study taken in a single discipline or related disciplines.

General Requirements:
Successful completion of a minimum of thirty to thirty-one (30-31) semester units of General Education which shall include not less than the minimum number of units indicated in each of the following areas:

A.     Language and Rationality — Minimum twelve (12)

        semester units in the following pattern:

1.     Written Composition — at least 3 semester units English 28+ or 31+, 101, 101H; Journalism 101+.

2.     Communication and Analytical Thinking — complete two or three courses from the area with no more than one course from each section:

a.     Speech Communication 101, 102+, 121.

b.     English 102, 102H, 103; Philosophy 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Psychology 66; Speech Communication 104.

c.     Mathematics 125+, 215, 225, 227, 230, 230H, 235, 236, 237, 240, 245, 260, 261, 261H, 262, 262H, 263, 272.

NOTE: Students may use two English courses in section “A1” to complete the 12‑unit requirement.

B.     Natural Sciences — Minimum three (3) semester units. NOTE: Transfer students should take a lab science. (*Denotes lab science)

1.     Physical Universe: Astronomy 1, 10, or 11 with 5*; Chemistry 51*, 60*, 68*, 101*, 102*, 211*, 212*, 221*; Earth Science 1; Electronics 101; Environmental Science 1#, 8; Geography 1 with 15*, 3; Geology 1 with 6*, 11; Meteorology 3; Oceanography 1; Physical Science 1 with 14*; Physics 1*, 6*, 11*, 12 with 14*,  21*, 101*, 102*, 103*.

2.     Life Forms: Anatomy 1*; Anthropology 101 or 101H with 111*; Biology 1, 3*, 3H*, 6*, 23, 25; Microbiology 1*, 20*; Oceanography 12; Physiology 1*; Psychology 2.

Students are strongly advised to consult with a College Counselor when planning their Associate degree transfer program.

C.     Humanities — Minimum three (3) semester units.

1.   The Arts: African‑American Studies 60; Architecture 130, 131; Art 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 201,  209, 409, 501; Asian‑American Studies 6+; Chicano Studies 52; Cinema 3, 4; Dance 805; Music 101, 111, 111H, 121, 122, 133, 135, 138, 200; Photography 10, 17, 34; Theatre 100, 110, 400.

2.     The Humanities

a.     Foreign Language:

        American Sign Language 1, 2; Arabic 1, 2, 3; Armenian 1, 2; Chinese 1, 2, 3, 4; Filipino 1, 2; French 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22; German 1, 2, 3, 4;  Italian 1, 2, 3, 4; Japanese 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22; Korean 1, 2, 3, 4; Latin 1, 2; Portuguese 1, 2; Russian 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22; Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22, 35, 36.

b.     Humanities:

        Chicano Studies 44; Spanish; Course 10 in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Russian 12, Spanish; Humanities 6, 8, 20, 21+, 30, 31, 45, 47, 61, 63, 70, 76; Linguistics 1; Speech Communication 130.

c.     Literature:

        African‑American Studies 20, 21; English 203, 204, 205, 206, 208, 211, 212, 214, 215,  216, 218, 221, 239, 240, 252, 253, 255, 270; Course 11 in any foreign language; Spanish 15.

d.     Philosophy 1, 1H, 2, 12, 14, 19+, 20, 30, 32, 35, 40, 41.

d.     Social and Behavioral Sciences —

        Minimum of nine (9) semester units.

1.     American Institutions and Government:

        Minimum of 3 units. (** denotes requirement for American Institutions and Government.) Course limit: Credit is given for completion of one course in African‑American Studies 4**, 5**, or Chicano Studies 7**, 8**, or History 11**, 12**, 13**. Credit is given for completion of one course  in African-American Studies 7** or Political Science 1** or 1H**.

2.  Social and Behavioral Sciences:

        Minimum of 6 semester units. (Classes may be selected from section 2 or 3). African‑American Studies 2, 3, 6, 10; Anthropology 102, 150+;  Child Development 1+,11+, 42+; Family & Consumer Studies 21#, 31#; Geography 2, 2H, 7; History 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 20+; Linguistics 2,3; Psychology 1, 1H, 8+, 13, 18, 31+, 41#, 43#; Sociology 1, 2, 11, 12#.

3.     Economic and Political:

        African‑American Studies 7**; Asian‑American 1, 10; Business 1; Chicano Studies 19; Computer Science Information Technology 103; Economics 1,2; Journalism 105; Law 3; Political Science 1**, 1H**, 2, 7.

E.     Health and Physical Education  — Minimum  three (3) units.

1.     Health Education:  Health 2, 8, 10+, 11.

        NOTE: Will accept Health 10+ from any of the LACCD campuses.

2.     Physical Education Activity, Dance and Dance Activity  — 1 unit OR

3.     Combined Health Education/Physical Education; Health 2:  3 units Authorized Physical Education activity exemptions include:

a.     Medical exemption

b.     Extenuating circumstances

c.     Licensed Registered Nurse

d.     Students who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States (DD 214)
 

Graduation “Plan B” has been designed for students who plan an occupational or vocational Associate degree. Some courses may or may not transfer to the University of California or the California State University system. Verify the course description area of this catalog for transferability of courses found in these sections.

Major Requirements:
At least a minimum of thirty-six (36) semester units of study taken in a single major or related disciplines.

General Requirements:
Successful completion of a minimum of eighteen (18) semester units in General Education which shall include not less than the minimum number of units indicated in each of the following areas:
 

A.     Language and Rationality  —  Minimum six (6) semester units in the following pattern.  (Select one course from each area.)

1.     Written Composition — at least three (3) semester units. English 28+, 31+, 101, 101H; Journalism 101+.

2.     Communication and Analytical Thinking — at least three (3) semester units. Computer Science\Information Technology 101+, 103, 108+; Computer Technology 1+; English 102, 102H, 103; Mathematics 125+, 215, 216, 225, 227, 230, 230H, 235, 236, 237, 240, 245, 260, 261, 261H, 262, 262H, 263, 272; Philosophy 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Psychology 66; Speech Communication 101, 102+, 104, 111+, 121.

B.     Natural Sciences — Minimum three (3)  semester units.

  NOTE: Transfer students should take a lab science. (*Denotes lab science)

1.     Physical Sciences: Astronomy 1, 10, or 11 with 5* ; Chemistry 51*, 60*, 68*, 101*, 102*, 211*, 212*, 221*; Earth Science 1; Electronics 101; Environmental Science 1, 8;  Geography 1 with 15*, 3; Geology 1 with 6*, 11;  Meteorology 3; Oceanography 1; Physical Science 1 with 14*; Physics 1*, 6*, 11*, 12 with 14*, 21*, 101*, 102*, 103*.

2.     Life Sciences: Anatomy 1*; Anthropology 101 or 101H with 111*; Biology 1, 3*, 3H*, 6*, 7*, 23, 25; Family and Consumer Studies 21#; Microbiology 1*, 20*; Oceanography 12; Physiology 1*; Psychology 2.

C.     Humanities  — Minimum three (3) semester units.

        1.     The Arts: African‑American Studies 60; Architecture 130, 131; Art, all  courses except 519‑607, 704, 705; Asian‑American Studies 6+; Chicano Studies 52; Cinema 3, 4; Dance 805; Music, all courses except 152, 241, 244, 247, 300, 301, 302, 303, 311, 400, 601, 602, 611,612, 621, 622, 631, 632, 650; Photography 10, 17, 34; Theatre 100, 110, 400.

   2.      The Humanities

a.     Literature: African‑American Studies 20, 21; English 203, 204, 205, 206, 208, 211, 212, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 239, 240, 252, 253, 255, 270; Course  11 in any Foreign Language; Spanish 15;

b.     Foreign Languages, all courses. American Sign Language; Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai.

c.     Humanities: Chicano Studies 44; Course 9 in any Foreign Language; Course 10 in any Foreign Language; Humanities 6, 8, 20, 21+, 30, 31, 45, 47, 61, 63, 73, 70, 76; Linguistics 1; Russian 12; Speech Communication 130.

d.     Philosophy 1, 1H, 2, 12, 14, 19+, 20, 30, 32, 35, 40, 41. 

D.     Social and Behavioral Sciences —Minimum three (3) semester units.

  1.     Note: American Institutions and Government is a requirement for the Associate degree. This requirement can be met by:

    a.     Passing a competency examination in History (the petition is available in the Admissions Office) or

    b.     Completing one course from: African‑American  4**, 5**, 7**; Chicano Studies 7**, 8**; History 5**, 11**, 12**, 13** or Political Science 1**, 1H**.

  2.     Students that pass the competency examination must complete one of the following courses to fulfill the Social and Behavioral Science graduation requirement: African-American Studies 2, 3, 6, 10; Anthropology 102, 150+; Asian‑American Studies 1, 10; Business 1; Child Development 1+, 11+, 42+; Chicano Studies 19; Economics 1, 2; Family and Consumer Studies 31#; Geography 2, 2H, 7; History 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 20; Journalism 105; Law 3; Linguistics 2, 3; Political Science 2, 7; Psychology 1, 1H, 8+, 13, 18, 31+, 41#, 43#; Sociology 1, 2,  11, 12#.

E.     Health and Physical Education —  Minimum three (3) semester units.

1.     Health Education:  Health 2, 8, 10+, 11. Note: Will accept Health 10+ from any of the LACCD campuses.

2.     Physical Education Activity, Dance, and Dance Activity — 1 unit or

3.     Combined Health Education/Physical Education; Health 2.

        Authorized Physical Education activity exemptions include:

a.     Medical exemption

b.     Extenuating circumstances

c.     Licensed Registered Nurse

d.     Students who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States (DD 214)

Students who are eligible for graduation from Los Angeles City College must file a Graduation Petition in the semester preceding when they anticipate graduating.

Career and Occupational Certificates are issued to students who have completed a selected sequence of courses leading toward an occupational objective. The sequence is designed to prepare a student for a position of employment indicated by the specific certificate. The total number of units required for a certificate varies with different curricula. Most courses taken for Certificates in Career and Occupational Education apply toward an Associate degree.

Students must attain a minimum of a "C" (2.0) grade point average in all required courses. The student cannot be awarded a certificate without making up any deficiencies such as "F" grades, Incompletes, or Withdrawals from required courses.

To obtain the Certificate, the student should:

1. Determine which courses are required for the Certificate by reviewing the department requirements (listed elsewhere in this catalog).

2. Obtain a copy of his or her transcript to verify completion of required courses.

3. Present the transcript to the Department Chairperson (or program coordinator) with the request that it be evaluated for awarding of the Certificate.

Department representatives will evaluate the transcript, and the student will be notified whether the requirements have been met. Each department will award its own certificates.
 

Students who qualify may graduate with honors from Los Angeles City College. There are three categories under which such students may graduate.

Summa Cum Laude is granted to students who have maintained a 3.9+ grade point average in all work taken at Los Angeles City College.

Magna Cum Laude is granted to students who have maintained a 3.7+ grade point average in all work taken at Los Angeles City College.

Cum Laude is granted to students who have maintained a 3.5+ grade point average in all work taken at Los Angeles City College.