Associate Transfer Degrees

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.

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: 26
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
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
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
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 Credits42
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).

Business

The Transfer Path for an AA in Business requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, ECON, or MARA, including at least one of the following:

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Business (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:

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: 

 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 click on the appropriate degree link to go to the catalog information for those degrees. For a degree link from before 2020-2021, students 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:

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:

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:

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. Because the AAT fulfills the requirements of the Field of Study AAT curriculum statutes and THECB rules, all Texas public universities must accept the AAT curricula if they offer the applicable baccalaureate degrees leading to initial teacher certification.

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:

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 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) allows a community college to combine a Field of Study (FOS) and a portion of the Core Curriculum, including government and history, to create a 60 semester credit hour (SCH) degree. The Associate of Arts (AA) in Music is a combination of the Music FOS and the College Core Curriculum.

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 state of Texas mandated field of study curricula in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997). Core curricula and field of study curricula are intended to facilitate free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities if a student successfully completes a field of study curriculum. Fields of study are developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), but not for all majors. Students may transfer the block of courses in the field of study to a general academic teaching institution in Texas, and the institution must substitute the field of study curricula for that institution’s lower-division (freshman and sophomore level) requirements for the degree program in that field of study. The student will receive full academic credit toward the degree program for the block of courses transferred.

A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another, without completing all courses in the field of study curriculum at the sending institution, will receive academic credit in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy the remaining course requirements in the field of study curriculum at the receiving institution. A student concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education should follow the field of study curriculum requirements of the institution at which the student is classified as a degree-seeking student. THECB maintains a list of available Field of Study (FOS) curricula.