San Jacinto College offers a variety of certificates and degrees. The College encourages students to complete the requirements of an associate degree at San Jacinto College even if they are planning to transfer to another college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. One advantage of completing a degree is the fact that this action reflects commitment to a specific educational goal and success in meeting that goal. Earning an associate degree is evidence of taking one definable step beyond a high school diploma or the high school equivalency examination, and it is the minimum educational requirement for employment in certain positions in area businesses and industries. The Associate of Arts (AA) and the Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university. This type of degree includes general education courses such as English, mathematics, history, and government, which are considered to be core requirements for most baccalaureate degree programs. Students may include no more than two PHED activity courses in any degree plan.
Earning an associate degree at San Jacinto College includes a 42-semester credit hour (SCH) Core Curriculum and an 18-SCH Transfer Path as outlined below.
Core Curriculum
Core Curriculum: 42 SCH of Core courses including EDUC 1100 Learning Framework/PSYC 1100 Learning Framework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (010) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Composition II | ||
| Technical and Business Writing | ||
| Mathematics (020) | ||
| If you select a 4 SCH MATH course, the overflow hour may be accounted for in the Component Area Option of the Core or in the Transfer Path. | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Plane Trigonometry | ||
| Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences 1 | ||
| Calculus for Business and Social Sciences 1 | ||
| Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) 1 | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods (Statistics) | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Pre-Calculus Math | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Life and Physical Science (030) | ||
| Labs for the sciences courses may be accounted for in the Component Area Option. | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: 2 | 6 | |
| Stars and Galaxies (lecture) | ||
| The Solar System (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors I (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors II (lecture) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) 3 | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) 3 | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) 4 | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) 4 | ||
| Introductory Chemistry I (lecture) 3 | ||
| General Chemistry I (lecture) | ||
| General Chemistry II (lecture) | ||
| Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) 3 | ||
| Physical Geology (lecture) | ||
| Historical Geology (lecture) | ||
| College Physics I (lecture) | ||
| College Physics II (lecture) | ||
| University Physics I (lecture) | ||
| University Physics II (lecture) | ||
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) (040) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| British Literature I | ||
| British Literature II | ||
| American Literature I | ||
| American Literature II | ||
| World Literature I | ||
| World Literature II | ||
| Forms of Literature: Literature and Film | ||
| Mexican American Literature | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| World Civilization I | ||
| World Civilization II | ||
| Introduction to the Humanities I | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Creative Arts (Fine Arts) (050) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) | ||
| Art History II (14th century to the present) | ||
| World Dance | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Theater Appreciation | ||
| Film Appreciation | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Music Literature | ||
| American Music | ||
| American History (060) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| United States History I | ||
| United States History II | ||
| Texas History | ||
| Mexican American History I | ||
| Mexican American History II | ||
| African American History I | ||
| African American History II | ||
| Government/Political Science (070) | ||
| Select two of the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics) 5 | ||
| Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics) 5 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | ||
| Select one of the following courses for 3 SCH: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| General Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Minority Studies | ||
| Child Growth and Development | ||
| Component Area Option (090) | ||
| The following courses as well as courses not previously used from the other eight areas of the Core may be used to fulfill the Component Area Option requirement. | ||
| Select from the following courses for 6 SCH: | 6 | |
| Stars and Galaxies (lab) | ||
| The Solar System (lab) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Biology for Science Majors II (lab) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) | ||
| Introductory Chemistry I (lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (lab) | ||
| Beginning Chinese I | ||
| Beginning Chinese II | ||
| Learning Framework | ||
or PSYC 1100 | Learning Framework | |
| Beginning French I | ||
| Beginning French II | ||
| Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lab) | ||
| Physical Geology (lab) | ||
| Historical Geology (lab) | ||
| Beginning German I | ||
| Beginning German II | ||
| Federal and Texas Constitutions | ||
| Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness | ||
| College Physics I (lab) | ||
| College Physics II (lab) | ||
| University Physics I (lab) | ||
| University Physics II (lab) | ||
| Beginning American Sign Language I | ||
| Beginning American Sign Language II | ||
| Beginning Spanish I | ||
| Beginning Spanish II | ||
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences, MATH 1325 Calculus for Business and Social Sciences, and MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) do not meet the requirements for students pursuing mathematics or science.
- 2
Students must be simultaneously co-enrolled in the co-requisite science lab.
- 3
BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture), BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) and CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture), and GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture) do not meet the requirements for science majors.
- 4
BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) are designed for allied health majors and not for academic transfer as science majors.
- 5
Students who have taken GOVT 2301 or GOVT 2302, but not both, should check with an educational planner on how to complete the 6 SCH.
If a student successfully completes San Jacinto College’s 42-hour Core Curriculum, that block of courses must be substituted for the receiving institution’s Core Curriculum. The receiving institution may not require a student to take additional Core Curriculum courses to meet the requirements of the Core. Students who transfer without completing the Core Curriculum shall receive academic credit in the Core Curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses the student has successfully completed in the San Jacinto College Core Curriculum. Students should plan Core Curriculum courses that would meet baccalaureate degree requirements at the four-year institution.
The Transfer Path
Associate of Arts Degree
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in General Studies, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business, Fine Arts, or Communications. For more information, students may refer to the Core Curriculum and Field of Study sections of the catalog.
General Studies
The Transfer Path for an AA in General Studies requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from academic courses. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to General Studies (1G-STUDY).
Social & Behavioral Sciences
The Transfer Path for an AA in Social & Behavioral Sciences requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from ANTH, CRIJ, GEOG, GOVT, HIST, HUMA, PHIL, PSYC, or SOCI. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Social & Behavioral Sciences (1SOC-BEHV).
Criminal Justice
The Transfer Path for an AA in Criminal Justice requires 15 SCH in CRIJ courses as well as Directive Electives selected by the transfer institutions for inclusion in the Field of Study (FOS) embedded in this AA degree. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts (1CRIMJUS).
Sociology
The Transfer Path for an AA in Sociology requires 12 SCH in SOCI courses as well as Directive Electives selected by the transfer institutions for inclusion in the Field of Study (FOS) embedded in this AA degree. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Sociology, Associate of Arts (1SOCIOLOGY).
Business
The Transfer Path for an AA in Business requires a combination of business courses as well as Directive Electives selected by the transfer institutions for inclusion in the Field of Study (FOS) embedded in this AA degree. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Business, Associate of Arts (1BUSINESS).
Fine Arts
The Transfer Path for an AA in Fine Arts requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH from the student’s chosen discipline including at least one of the following:
- ARTS 1316 Drawing I,
- ARTS 2348 Digital Media,
- DANC 1151 Freshman Dance Performance,
- DANC 2151 Sophomore Dance Performance,
- DRAM 1330 Stagecraft I, or
- DRAM 1351 Acting I.
The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. Students interested in a music concentration should reference the AA in Music. For more specific information, students may refer to Fine Arts (1FINEARTS).
Communications
The Transfer Path for an AA in Communications requires 18 SCHs with at least 12 SCHs in any combination from CHIN, COMM, ENGL, FREN, GERM, SGNL, SPAN, or SPCH, including at least one of the following:
- CHIN 1412 Beginning Chinese II,
- FREN 1412 Beginning French II,
- GERM 1412 Beginning German II,
- SGNL 1402 Beginning American Sign Language II,
- SPAN 1412 Beginning Spanish II,
- COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communications,
- ENGL 2322 British Literature I,
- ENGL 2323 British Literature II,
- ENGL 2327 American Literature I,
- ENGL 2328 American Literature II,
- ENGL 2332 World Literature I,
- ENGL 2333 World Literature II,
- ENGL 2341 Forms of Literature: Literature and Film,
- ENGL 2351 Mexican American Literature, or
- SPCH 1318 Interpersonal Communication.
The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Communications (1COMM)
Associate of Science Degree
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in mathematics, one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, physics, biotechnology, or related fields), engineering, or computer science. For more information, students may refer to the Core Curriculum and Field of Study sections of the catalog. Students who were pursuing a Life Sciences AS or Physical Sciences AS prior to fall 2021 may go to the Previous Catalogs link to find the correct version.
Natural Science
The Transfer Path for an AS in Natural Science requires 18 SCH in sciences courses with at least 12 SCH in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS, including at least one of the following:
- BIOL 1307 Biology for Science Majors II (lecture)/BIOL 1107 Biology for Science Majors II (lab)
- CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I (lab),
- CHEM 2325 Organic Chemistry II (lecture)/CHEM 2125 Organic Chemistry II (lab),
- GEOL 1304 Historical Geology (lecture)/GEOL 1104 Historical Geology (lab), or
- PHYS 2326 University Physics II (lecture)/PHYS 2126 University Physics II (lab),
except
- BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/BIOL 1108 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab),
- BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture)/BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab),
- BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab),
- BIOL 1322 Nutrition and Diet Therapy,
- CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1105 Introductory Chemistry I (lab)), and
- GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/GEOL 1101 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lab).
The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Natural Science (2NATSCI).
Computer Science
The Transfer Path for an AS in Computer Sciences requires 18 SCH including:
and at least 6 SCH from:
- COSC 2436 Programming Fundamentals III,
- COSC 2325 Computer Organization,
- MATH 2413 Calculus I,
- MATH 2414 Calculus II,
- PHYS 2325 University Physics I (lecture)/PHYS 2125 University Physics I (lab), or
- PHYS 2326 University Physics II (lecture)/PHYS 2126 University Physics II (lab).
The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Computer Science (2COSCI).
Mathematics
The Transfer Path for an AS in Mathematics requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH selected from:
- MATH 2318 Linear Algebra,
- MATH 2320 Differential Equations,
- MATH 2413 Calculus I,
- MATH 2414 Calculus II, or
- MATH 2415 Calculus III.
The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Mathematics (2MATH).
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree
The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) is a collegiate degree program approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. The AAT degree, as defined by THECB, is fully transferable to all Texas public universities.
Students who complete the AAT at San Jacinto College will be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including grade point averages and/or testing requirements.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Teaching—Early Childhood to 6th Grade
The Transfer Path for an AAT in Teaching - Early Childhood to 6th Grade requires 18 SCH including:
- MATH 1350 Mathematics for Teachers I (Fundamentals of Mathematics I),
- MATH 1351 Mathematics for Teachers II (Fundamentals of Mathematics II),
- EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession,
- EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations,
- TECA 1354 Child Growth and Development,
and depending on teaching speciality and university requirements, one of the following:
- TECA 1303 Families, School and Community,
- HIST 2301 Texas History, or
- CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1105 Introductory Chemistry I (lab).
For more specific information, students may refer to Teaching - Early Childhood to 6th Grade (1TEACH-EC6).
Teaching—Grades 7-12
- The Transfer Path for an AS in Teaching - Grades 7 to 12 requires 18 SCH including EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession, EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations, and content area courses depending on teaching speciality and university requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Teaching - Grades 7 to 12 (1TEACH7-12).
Associate of Arts in Music
The College designed the AA in Music to apply to Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music Education (BMEd), or other baccalaureate-level music degrees as deemed appropriate by the awarding institution.
For more specific information, students may refer to Music (1MUSIC).
Associate of Science in Engineering Degree
The Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) is a collegiate degree approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to an engineering degree. The ASE, as defined by THECB, is fully transferrable to Texas public universities that participate in the Tuning In Texas articulation agreement (transfer compact).
The College recommends students seek the advice of an educational planner and an engineering faculty member or Department Chair. Students who complete the ASE will be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving institution, including grade point averages and/or testing requirements.
For more specific information, students may refer to Engineering (2ENGINEER).
Field of Study (FOS)
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has developed Fields of Study (FOS) to streamline transfer pathways that save students and families time, money, and effort. Students who complete the Texas Core Curriculum and Field of Study at any public two-year institution automatically qualify to receive an associate degree – the Texas Direct Transfer Degree. They are also qualified to transfer their courses as a block applied directly to their selected major. For more information on this THECB initiative, students may reference Texas Direct.