Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Graduates from San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) receive an Associate of Arts degree or an Associate of Science degree. To earn an Associate degree, students must complete general education breadth requirements as specified in Option #1 or Option #2 below, as well as additional units of electives and/or lower division requirements for a major.

Students must file a Graduation Application in the Records Office by the deadlines listed below:

Graduation Application Deadline
Fall Graduation October 1
Spring Graduation March 1
Summer Graduation July 1

When printed deadlines fall on either Saturday or Sunday, the filing period will be extended to the Monday following the deadline date.

Associate Degree: Option #1

The Option 1 associate degrees are general degrees designed for students who plan to attend a four-year college or university.

Associate Degree: Option 1A

The general education breadth requirements are the same as the requirements for the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). Refer to section of the catalog for the IGETC requirements. In the process of completing this coursework, the student must fulfill these general requirements:

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units of college coursework, with at least 12-degree applicable semester units in residence at SBVC.
  2. Earn a letter grade of C or higher in each course.

Associate Degree: Option 1B

The general education breadth requirements for this degree are the same as the requirements for the California State University General Education Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth). Refer to section of the catalog for the CSU GE-Breadth requirements. In the process of completing this coursework, the student must fulfill these general requirements:

  1. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units of college coursework, with at least 12-degree applicable semester units in residence at SBVC.
  2. Earn at least a 2.0 grade point average for the CSU GE coursework. Earn a grade of C- or better for each course in the Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking and Mathematics/ Quantitative Reasoning categories.

Associate Degree: Option #2

This general Associate Degree is designed for students planning to seek immediate employment after graduation. The general education breadth requirements for this degree are listed below. In the process of completing this coursework, students must fulfill these general requirements:

  1. Complete SDEV 001 (formerly LST 001) is required of all students taking nine (9) or more units per semester. This course must be completed within a student's first two semesters of coursework.
    1. Exempt from this requirement upon completion of 30+ units of college credit or AA/AS degree or BA/BS degree.
    2. Career-track students with vocational disciplines, which have articulated programs with four-year colleges or universities, apply for an exemption through the Department Chair or Division Dean of the area of study.
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 semester units of college coursework, with at least 12-degree applicable semester units in residence at SBVC.
  3. Earn an overall grade point average of C (2.00) or higher.
  4. Complete coursework for an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science major as listed in Part IV of the San Bernardino Valley College Catalog. Note: you must declare a major in order to receive a degree. All courses used to satisfy the majors for the Associate degrees must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
  5. Demonstrate competency in English, mathematics and reading by satisfying the following criteria:
    1. Competency in English as demonstrated by completion of ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H with a grade of C or higher.
    2. Competency in mathematics as demonstrated by:
      1. Completion of Intermediate Algebra, or any transfer-level mathematics course with a grade of C or higher, or any mathematics course from another college demonstrating at or above the level of the course typically known as Intermediate Algebra with a minimum of three semester units.
      2. Completion of a mathematics proficiency exam which is equivalent to a comprehensive final examination in Intermediate Algebra with the equivalent grade of C or higher.
    3. Competency in reading as demonstrated by:
      1. Completion of any transfer-level reading course with a grade of C or higher.
  6. Complete 27 to 29 of the 60 semester units needed for graduation from the six subject categories as listed below:

Category I: Natural Science

(Minimum: 4 semester units if a laboratory is included; otherwise 6 semester units).

Courses in the following subjects carry credit for Natural Science:

ANTHRO 106Biological Anthropology3
or ANTHRO 106H Biological Anthropology - Honors
ANTHRO 106LBiological Anthropology Laboratory 11
ASTRON 120Introduction to Astronomy3
ASTRON 125Astronomy Laboratory 11
BIOL 100General Biology 14
BIOL 104Human Ecology3
BIOL 141Genetics3
BIOL 155Introductory Anatomy and Physiology 14
BIOL 205Cell and Molecular Biology 14
BIOL 206Organismal Biology 14
BIOL 207Evolutionary Ecology 14
BIOL 250Human Anatomy and Physiology I 14
BIOL 251Human Anatomy and Physiology II 14
BIOL 260Human Anatomy 14
BIOL 261Human Physiology 14
BIOL 270Microbiology 15
CHEM 101Introductory Chemistry 14
CHEM 104Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry 14
CHEM 105Introduction to General, Organic And Biochemistry 15
CHEM 150General Chemistry I 15
CHEM 151General Chemistry II 15
ENVSCI 100Introduction to Environmental Science3
FN 162Introduction to Food and Nutrition3
GEOG 110Physical Geography3
GEOG 111Physical Geography Laboratory 11
or GEOG 111H Physical Geography Laboratory - Honors
GEOG 114Weather and Climate 14
GEOL 101Introduction to Physical Geology3
GEOL 111Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory 11
GEOL 112Historical Geology 14
GEOL 122Environmental Geology3
GEOL 140Earth Science3
GEOL 141Earth Science Laboratory1
GEOL 250Geology of California3
GEOL 251Geology of the National Parks and Monuments3
OCEAN 101Elements of Oceanography3
OCEAN 111Elements of Oceanography Laboratory 11
PHYSIC 101Introductory Physics 14
PHYSIC 151General Physics for the Life Sciences I4
PHYSIC 152General Physics for the Life Sciences II4
PHYSIC 202Physics I4
PSYCH 141Introduction to Biological Psychology3
1

Laboratory class

Category II: Social and Behavioral Science

(Minimum: 6 semester units; the two courses must be from two different subject areas).

Courses in the following subjects carry credit for Social and Behavioral Sciences:

ANTHRO 100Introduction to Archaeology3
ANTHRO 102Cultural Anthropology3
or ANTHRO 102H Cultural Anthropology - Honors
ANTHRO 103Anthropology of Food3
ANTHRO 106Biological Anthropology3
or ANTHRO 106H Biological Anthropology - Honors
ANTHRO 108Introduction to Native American Studies3
or ETHS 108 Introduction to Native American Studies
ANTHRO 109Visual Culture and Art3
ANTHRO 111The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion3
or ANTHRO 111H The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion - Honors
ANTHRO 125Language and Culture3
CD 105Child Growth and Development3
or CD 105H Child Growth and Development - Honors
CD 108Early Childhood Development3
CD 126Child, Family, and the Community3
COMMST 135Mass Media and Society3
COMMST 174Intercultural Communication3
COMMST 176Gender Differences in Communication3
ECON 100Introduction to Economics3
ECON 200Principles of Macroeconomics3
or ECON 200H Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
or ECON 201H Principles of Microeconomics - Honors
ETHS 100Introduction to Ethnic Studies3
FTVM 101Introduction to Electronic Media3
GEOG 102Cultural Geography3
GEOG 106Geographic Perspectives on the Environment3
GEOG 118California Geography3
GEOG 120World Regional Geography3
GLST 101Introduction to Global Studies3
GLST 102Global Issues3
HIST 100United States History to 18773
or HIST 100H United States History to 1877 - Honors
HIST 101United States History: 1865 to Present3
or HIST 101H United States History: 1865 to Present - Honors
HIST 107Native American Experiences in U.S. History3
or ETHS 107 Native American Experiences in U.S. History
or HIST 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
or ETHS 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
HIST 137Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Groups in U.S. History3
or ETHS 137 Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Groups in U.S. History
HIST 138The African American Experience in U.S. History to 18773
or ETHS 138 The African American Experience in U.S. History to 1877
HIST 139The African American Experience in U.S. History From 18773
or ETHS 139 The African American Experience in U.S. History From 1877
HIST 140Chicano Experiences in U.S. History3
or ETHS 140 Chicano Experiences in U.S. History
or HIST 140H Chicano Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
or ETHS 140H Chicano Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
HIST 142Experiences of Asian Americans in U.S. History3
HIST 145History of California3
HIST 150Introduction to Latin American History3
HIST 170World History to 15003
HIST 171World History Since 15003
HIST 176Comparative History of Genocide and War Crimes3
KIN 202History of Physical Education and Sport In the United States3
PHIL 180Death and Dying3
POLIT 100American Politics3
POLIT 110Introduction to Political Theory3
or POLIT 110H Introduction to Political Theory - Honors
POLIT 140Introduction to Comparative Politics3
POLIT 141Introduction to World Politics3
or POLIT 141H Introduction to World Politics - Honors
POLIT 150Introduction to Public Policy3
PSYCH 100General Psychology3
or PSYCH 100H General Psychology - Honors
PSYCH 102Personal and Social Adjustment3
PSYCH 110Abnormal Psychology3
PSYCH 111Developmental Psychology: Lifespan3
PSYCH 112Developmental Psychology: Child and Adolescent Psychology3
RELIG 115Magic, Witchcraft, Cults, and New Religious Movements3
PSYCH 118Human Sexual Behavior3
RELIG 135Religion in America3
RELIG 180Death and Dying3
SOC 100Introduction to Sociology3
or SOC 100H Introduction to Sociology - Honors
SOC 110Social Problems3
or SOC 110H Social Problems - Honors
SOC 120Health and Social Justice3
or ETHS 120 Health and Social Justice
SOC 130Family Sociology3
SOC 135Introduction to Crime3
SOC 141Race and Ethnic Relations3
or ETHS 141 Race and Ethnic Relations
or SOC 141H Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
or ETHS 141H Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
SOC 145Sociology of Gender3
SOC 150Aging and the Life Course3

Category III: Humanities

(Minimum: 6 semester units; the two courses must be from different subject areas with no more than three semester units within the category of Applied Courses as identified below).

Courses in the following subjects carry credit for Humanities:

ANTHRO 108Introduction to Native American Studies3
ANTHRO 109Visual Culture and Art3
ANTHRO 111The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion3
or ANTHRO 111H The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion - Honors
ARAB 101College Arabic I5
ARAB 102College Arabic II5
ARCH 145History of Architecture: Early Design Through Gothic3
or ARCH 145H History of Architecture: Early Design Through Gothic - Honors
ARCH 146History of Architecture: Renaissance Through Modern3
or ARCH 146H Architecture History: Renaissance to Modern - Honors
ART 100Art History: The Stone Age to the Middle Ages3
ART 102Art History: Renaissance to Present3
or ART 102H Art History: Renaissance to Present - Honors
ART 103Art Appreciation3
ART 105History of Modern Art3
ART 107Art History: Africa, Oceania and the Americas3
ART 108Art of Mexico and Mesoamerica3
ASL 109American Sign Language I4
ASL 110American Sign Language II4
ASL 111American Sign Language III4
ASL 112American Sign Language IV4
CHIN 101College Mandarin Chinese I5
CHIN 102College Mandarin Chinese II5
DANCE 100Dance History and Appreciation3
ENGL 140Exploring the World of Science Fiction3
ENGL 141Mystery and Detective Fiction3
ENGL 151Freshman Composition and Literature3
or ENGL 151H Freshman Composition and Literature - Honors
ENGL 153Literature and Film3
ENGL 161Women Writers3
ENGL 163Chicana/o Literature3
or ETHS 163 Chicana/o Literature
ENGL 165African-American Literature3
or ETHS 165 African-American Literature
ENGL 175The Literature and Religion of the Bible3
ENGL 232Creative Writing3
ENGL 260American Literature to Mid 19th Century3
ENGL 261American Literature From 1865 to Present3
ENGL 270English Literature: Middle Ages to 18th Century3
or ENGL 270H English Literature: Middle Ages to 18th Century - Honors
ENGL 271English Literature: 18th Century to Present3
or ENGL 271H English Literature: 18th Century to Present - Honors
FRENCH 101College French I5
FRENCH 102College French II5
FTVM 102Introduction to Film and Media Aesthetics3
FTVM 103Ethnicity and Identity in Media3
or ETHS 103 Ethnicity and Identity in Media
HIST 100United States History to 18773
or HIST 100H United States History to 1877 - Honors
HIST 101United States History: 1865 to Present3
or HIST 101H United States History: 1865 to Present - Honors
HIST 107Native American Experiences in U.S. History3
or ETHS 107 Native American Experiences in U.S. History
or HIST 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
or ETHS 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
HIST 137Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Groups in U.S. History3
or ETHS 137 Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Groups in U.S. History
HIST 138The African American Experience in U.S. History to 18773
or ETHS 138 The African American Experience in U.S. History to 1877
HIST 139The African American Experience in U.S. History From 18773
or ETHS 139 The African American Experience in U.S. History From 1877
HIST 140Chicano Experiences in U.S. History3
or ETHS 140 Chicano Experiences in U.S. History
or HIST 140H Chicano Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
or ETHS 140H Chicano Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
HIST 142Experiences of Asian Americans in U.S. History3
HIST 145History of California3
or HIST 145H History of California - Honors
HIST 150Introduction to Latin American History3
HIST 170World History to 15003
HIST 171World History Since 15003
HIST 176Comparative History of Genocide and War Crimes3
HIST 185Women in United States History3
MUS 100Music Appreciation3
MUS 101Music Theory I: Fundamentals3
MUS 102Music Theory II: Scales and Modes3
MUS 104History of Rock and Roll3
MUS 105American Popular Music3
MUS 106History of Jazz3
MUS 107Music Cultures of the World3
MUS 108History of Hip Hop Music3
MUS 121Music History and Literature - Middle Ages Through Baroque3
or MUS 121H Music History and Literature - Middle Ages Through Baroque - Honors
MUS 122Music History and Literature - Classic through Contemporary3
or MUS 122H Music History and Literature - Classic Through Contemporary - Honors
MUS 201Music Theory III: Basic Harmony3
MUS 202Music Theory IV: Harmony3
PHIL 101Introduction to Philosophy3
or PHIL 101H Introduction to Philosophy - Honors
PHIL 105Introduction to Ethics3
PHIL 109Philosophy of Religion3
PHIL 112Philosophy in Literature3
PHIL 180Death and Dying3
RELIG 100Introduction to Religious Studies3
or RELIG 100H Introduction to Religious Studies - Honors
RELIG 101Introduction to World Religions3
RELIG 115Magic, Witchcraft, Cults, and New Religious Movements3
RELIG 135Religion in America3
RELIG 150Introduction to Mythology3
RELIG 175The Literature and Religion of the Bible3
RELIG 176Jesus and His Interpreters3
RELIG 180Death and Dying3
SPAN 101College Spanish I5
or SPAN 101H College Spanish I - Honors
SPAN 102College Spanish II5
or SPAN 102H College Spanish II - Honors
SPAN 103College Spanish III4
or SPAN 103H College Spanish III - Honors
SPAN 104College Spanish IV4
SPAN 157Spanish for Heritage Speakers I4
SPAN 158Spanish for Heritage Speakers II4
THART 100Introduction to the Theatre3
THART 105Script Analysis3
THART 110Voice and Diction for Actors3

Applied Courses (Humanities)

ART 120Two-Dimensional Design3
ART 121Three-Dimensional Design3
ART 124ABeginning Drawing3
ART 124BIntermediate Drawing3
ART 124CAdvanced Drawing3
ART 126ABeginning Painting3
ART 126BIntermediate Painting3
ART 126CAdvanced Painting3
ART 132ABeginning Life Drawing3
ART 132BIntermediate Life Drawing3
ART 132CAdvanced Life Drawing3
ART 145Introduction to Digital Applications for Graphic Design3
ART 148Fundamental Graphic Design Principles and Digital Practices3
ART 149Design Thinking in Visual Communication3
ART 161Digital Photography3
ART 175ABeginning Sculpture3
ART 175BIntermediate Sculpture3
ART 175CAdvanced Sculpture3
ART 212ABeginning Ceramics3
ART 212BIntermediate Ceramics3
ART 212CIntermediate/Advanced Ceramics3
ART 212DAdvanced Ceramics3
ART 240ABeginning Glassblowing3
ART 240BIntermediate Glassblowing3
ART 240CIntermediate/Advanced Glassblowing3
ART 240DAdvanced Glassblowing3
ART 270ABeginning Design in Glass3
ART 270BIntermediate Design in Glass3
ART 270CIntermediate/Advanced Design in Glass3
ART 270DAdvanced Design in Glass3
ART 280Beginning 3D Digital Animation and Visualization3
FTVM 122Acting and Directing for Television and Film3
FTVM 131Cinematography3
MUS 101LMusicianship I1
MUS 102LMusicianship II1
MUS 117AElementary Acoustic Guitar1
MUS 117BIntermediate Acoustic Guitar1
MUS 117CIntermediate/Advanced Acoustic Guitar1
MUS 117DAdvanced Acoustic Guitar1
MUS 123Electronic Music I3
MUS 124Electronic Music II3
MUS 130Elementary Voice3
MUS 131Intermediate Voice3
MUS 133Elementary Piano1
MUS 134Intermediate Piano1
MUS 135Advanced Piano1
MUS 141X2Applied Music I0.5
MUS 150X4Mixed Chorus1
MUS 152X4Chamber Singers2
MUS 153X4Chamber Chorale2
MUS 154X4College Singers2
MUS 156X4Concert Choir2
MUS 158X4Gospel Choir1
MUS 159X4Theatrical Music Workshop2
MUS 162X4Wind Ensemble1
MUS 166X4Concert Band1
MUS 170X2Jazz Improvisation and Theory I1
MUS 171X2Jazz Improvisation and Theory II1
MUS 180X4Instrumental Chamber Music1
MUS 201LMusicianship III1
MUS 202LMusicianship IV1
MUS 210Conducting3
MUS 241X2Applied Music II0.5
THART 114X4Rehearsal and Performance4
THART 120Acting Fundamentals I3
THART 121Acting Fundamentals II3
THART 132Lighting Design Fundamentals3
THART 135Directing Fundamentals3
THART 136Introduction to Theatre Design3
THART 139Fundamentals of Costume Design3
THART 147Theatre Movement3
THART 160X4Technical Theatre in Production3
THART 165Stage Makeup3
THART 166Improvisational Acting3

Category IV: Communication and Analytical Thinking

(Minimum: 6 semester units)

  1. English composition is required of all students. Courses meeting this requirement are ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H.
  2. Students may select from the following courses to complete the other portion of the requirement:

COMMST 100Elements of Public Speaking3
or COMMST 100H Elements of Public Speaking - Honors
COMMST 111Interpersonal Communication3
or COMMST 111H Interpersonal Communication - Honors
COMMST 125Critical Thinking Through Argumentation and Debate3
COMMST 140Small Group Communication3
ECON 208Business and Economic Statistics4
ENGL 102Intermediate Composition and Critical Thinking4
or ENGL 102H Intermediate Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors
MATH 102College Algebra4
MATH 120Mathematical Financial Planning4
Or any transfer-level mathematics course.
PHIL 102Critical Thinking and Writing3
PHIL 103Introduction to Logic: Argument and Evidence3
PSYCH 105Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (completed Fall 2009 and later)4
READ 100College Academic Reading3
READ 102Critical Reading As Critical Thinking3
READ 104Critical Reading, Thinking and Literacy3

Category V: Lifelong Learning and Self Development

(Minimum 2 semester units)

Courses in the following subjects carry credit for this requirement: (Note: A maximum of four semester units of Kinesiology activity courses can apply for graduation requirements.)

BUSAD 039Strategies for Successful Employment3
CD 101Parent-Child Interaction3
CD 105Child Growth and Development3
or CD 105H Child Growth and Development - Honors
CD 126Child, Family, and the Community3
DANCE 101ABeginning Modern Dance2
DANCE 101BBeginning/Intermediate Modern Dance2
DANCE 102AIntermediate Modern Dance2
DANCE 102BIntermediate/Advanced Modern Dance2
DANCE 103ABeginning Ballet2
DANCE 103BBeginning/Intermediate Ballet2
DANCE 105ABeginning Jazz Dance2
DANCE 105BBeginning/Intermediate Jazz Dance2
DANCE 106AIntermediate Jazz Dance2
DANCE 106BIntermediate/Advanced Jazz Dance2
DANCE 107X2Beginning Tap Dance2
DANCE 114X4Dance Rehearsal and Performance4
DANCE 206X4Dance Production4
FN 162Introduction to Food and Nutrition3
GEOG 106Geographic Perspectives on the Environment3
HEALTH 101Personal Health and Wellness3
HEALTH 103Introduction to Holistic Health3
HEALTH 104Women's Health3
KIN 236Stress Management and Wellness3
KINAAll Courses
KINFAll Courses
KINSAll Courses
KINXAll Courses
PSYCH 100General Psychology3
or PSYCH 100H General Psychology - Honors
PSYCH 102Personal and Social Adjustment3
PSYCH 111Developmental Psychology: Lifespan3
PSYCH 118Human Sexual Behavior3
READ 103Reading and Literacy for Lifelong Learning3
SDEV 001Orientation to College1
SDEV 015Puente: Strategies for College Success1
SDEV 102Pathways for College and Life Success3
SDEV 103Career Exploration and Life Planning3
or SDEV 103H Career Exploration and Life Planning - Honors
SOC 130Family Sociology3
SOC 150Aging and the Life Course3

A DD214 waives this requirement for former military personnel

Students are exempt from this requirement if they have completed any of the following programs of study at SBVC: Nursing, Psychiatric Technology, or POLICE 002 Basic Law Enforcement Academy. KIN 231 First Aid and CPR does not satisfy this graduation requirement.

Category VI: Ethnic Studies

(Minimum of 3 semester units)

ETHS 100Introduction to Ethnic Studies3
ETHS 103Ethnicity and Identity in Media3
or FTVM 103 Ethnicity and Identity in Media
ETHS 107Native American Experiences in U.S. History3
or ETHS 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
or HIST 107 Native American Experiences in U.S. History
or HIST 107H Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
ETHS 108Introduction to Native American Studies3
or ANTHRO 108 Introduction to Native American Studies
ETHS 141Race and Ethnic Relations3
or ETHS 141H Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
or SOC 141 Race and Ethnic Relations
or SOC 141H Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
ETHS 163Chicana/o Literature3
or ENGL 163 Chicana/o Literature
ETHS 165African-American Literature3
or ENGL 165 African-American Literature

Important note:
The purpose of categorical subject requirements for graduation is to assure that the graduate will have adequate breadth outside of the area of specialization. For this reason, no courses in any of the preceding categories may be used to meet more than one requirement. However, units in a student's subject major may be used to fulfill the requirements in Categories I through VI above.