An instructional program is defined as a combination of courses and experiences that is designed to accomplish a predetermined objective or set of allied objectives such as preparation for advanced study, qualification for an occupation or range of occupations, or simply the increase of knowledge and understanding. Southern Union State Community College is authorized to award the Associate in Science (AS) degree, the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, the Associate in Occupational Technologies (AOT) degree as well as certificates in specified occupational areas.
Students desiring to earn an Associate in Science degree and then continue their education at a senior institution should schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. The academic advisor can provide information to the student concerning the college and program in which they wish to transfer. Southern Union State Community College provides transfer guides and agreements for state colleges and universities through the Alabama Transfers system.
Students must accept the final responsibility of becoming familiar with the requirements of the senior college to which they may transfer. The student is advised that in many cases changing from one major to another, at the same transfer school, may result in the student having to take additional courses. Because requirements frequently change between printings of catalogs, students should consult program advisors at their transfer schools.
Programs leading to the Associate in Applied Science and the Associate in Occupational Technologies degrees are college-level programs of study designed to prepare students to enter occupational, semi-professional, or para-professional employment. Though many of the courses in these programs transfer to four-year colleges and universities, the primary intent is to prepare students for immediate employment after successful completion of a two-year program. Certificates are awarded to students who successfully complete the requirements of specific technical or occupational programs. These programs vary in length from one to four semesters.
Every effort is made to ensure that courses and programs described in this catalog are offered to students in an appropriate and reasonable sequence. Students should be aware, however, that admission to the College or registration for a given semester does not guarantee the availability of a specific course or a program of courses. Course and program availability is determined by student demand, instructor availability, and periodic program reviews. Whenever a program is determined to have insufficient numbers to continue institutional support, students currently enrolled will, whenever possible, be given notification of the decision and sufficient time to complete the program with continuous enrollment. If new students are enrolled after this decision, they will be advised of the tentative status of the program and their potential inability to complete the program.
