Graduation and Degree Requirements

General Requirements for Graduation

Upon successful completion of an approved plan of study and provided the following requirements have been fulfilled, the student will be awarded an associate degree from Monroe County Community College. Students will be allowed to opt out if they chose not to graduate automatically.

  • The student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit, 15 of which must be earned at Monroe County Community College.
  • The student must attain a cumulative grade point average of “C” or higher (2.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale) at graduation.
  • The student must meet the general education requirements for his or her program of study – as specified in the Monroe County Community College catalog – under which the student has applied for graduation.
  • The student may fulfill requirements for graduation using any Monroe County Community College catalog published during their period of attendance, with the limitation that no student may usea catalog more than 10 years old at the time of graduation. Exceptions may be considered by the appropriate administrator

About MCCC Degrees and Programs

Any MCCC degree may be earned by fulfilling the general requirements and the requirements specific to the individual degree (AS, AA, AAS, AFA). This type of degree is called an undesignated degree and appears on the transcript as the degree only. In addition to earning the specific degree, students who complete one of the occupational degree programs will have the program designation entered on their transcript along with the degree.

Specific program outlines which reflect a high level of specialization are listed elsewhere in this catalog. Deviation from degree requirements or from a specified program may be made only with approval of the division dean, the vice president of instruction or their designee.

General Education

General education unites students from diverse areas of study in the pursuit of knowledge that community college graduates should possess. At Monroe County Community College, general education courses are the foundation of each associate degree. To earn an associate degree from MCCC, students must demonstrate competency in the following areas.

MCCC GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE SATISFIERS

C1 GE Natural Sciences Competency

BIOL 151  Biological Sciences I
BIOL 156  Introduction to Environmental Science
CHEM 150  Fundamental Principles of Chemistry
CHEM 151  General College Chemistry I
CHEM 155 Chemistry and Society 
ESC 151  Earth Science
MET 151 Introduction to Meteorology and Climate 
PHY 101  Technical Physics
PHY 151  General Physics
PHY 251  Engineering Physics I
PHYSC 151  Physical Science

C2 GE Mathematics Competency

MATH 105  Essential Math for College Students
MATH 124  Technical Mathematics II
MATH 126  Mathematics for Business
MATH 151  Intermediate Algebra
MATH 154  Mathematics Explorations 
or receive a qualifying score on accepted placement tests
MATH 156 Math for Elementary Teachers I

C3 GE Writing Competency

ENGL 151  English Composition I

C4 GE Computer Literacy Competency

BMGT 160  Managing in the Digital Enterprise
CIS 130  Introduction to Computer Information Systems
MDTC 160  Mechanical Drafting and CAD I
or competency

C5 GE Human Experience Competency

ART 155 Art Appreciation
ART 280 Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic
ART 281  Art History: Renaissance to Baroque
ART 282  Art History: Neo-Classical/Early Modern
DANCE 251  History of Dance
ENGL 240  African American Literature
ENGL 251  Introduction to Poetry and Drama
ENGL 252  Introduction to Short Story and Novel
ENGL 253  American Literature
ENGL 255  Women’s Literature
ENGL 256  Children’s Literature
ENGL 260  Introduction to Shakespeare
ENGL 261  Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 266  Non-Western Literature
ENGL 267  British Literature: Anglo Saxon to 18th
Century
ENGL 268  British Literature: Romantic to Modern
FREN 151  Elementary French I
HUMAN 151  Introduction to Humanities
HUMAN 152 Exploring Creativity 
HUMAN 250 Visual Media Literacy
HUMAN 256  Film & American Society:  1920s to Early 1960s
HUMAN 257  Film & American Society: 1960s to Present
MUSIC 150  Agora Chorale
MUSIC 265  History and Appreciation of Jazz
MUSIC 266  History of Rock Music
MUSIC 268  Popular Music in America
PHIL 152  Introduction to Western Philosophy
PHIL 253  Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 254 Introduction to Medical Ethics 
THEA 151  Introduction to Theater
THEA 251  Fundamentals of Acting

C6 GE Social Systems Competency

ANTHR 152  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 
COMM 151  Introduction to Mass Media
GWST 151 Introduction to Gender Studies 
HIST 151  Western Civilization to 1650
HIST 152  Western Civilization: 1650 to Present
HIST 153 History of Michigan
HIST 154 History of the U.S. 1607-1877
HIST 155 History of the U.S. 1877- present 
HIST 158  World History to 1500
HIST 159  World History: 1500 to Present
HIST 160 Civil War and Reconstruction 
HIST 173  20th Century History and Civilization
POLSC 151  Introduction to Political Science
POLSC 158 Introduction to Political Theory 
PSYCH 151  General Psychology
SOC 151  Principles of Sociology
SOC 160 Social Gerontology 
SOC 161  Death, Loss and Grief
SOC 253 Race and Ethnicity

General Education Goal: Critical Thinking

C1 Natural Science Competency

Understand and apply the elements of scientific inquiry and scientific principles in a natural science college laboratory course setting.

Learning Objectives: In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to:

1. Observe and describe natural phenomena and formulate hypotheses.
2. Plan and implement scientific experiments to test hypotheses.
3. Utilize scientific laboratory skills for data collection within a college laboratory setting.
4. Evaluate experimental data and propose solutions based on this data.
5. Evaluate the proposed implications of a solution.

Courses Meeting GE Competency (Take one.)

BIOL 151  Biological Sciences I
BIOL 156  Introduction to Environmental Science
CHEM 150  Fundamental Principles of Chemistry
CHEM 151  General College Chemistry I
CHEM 155 Chemistry and Society 
ESC 151  Earth Science
MET 151 Introduction to Meteorology and Climate 
PHY 101  Technical Physics
PHY 151  General Physics
PHY 251  Engineering Physics I
PHYSC 151  Physical Science

C2 GE Mathematics Competency

Use mathematics to effectively model and evaluate quantitative relationships.

Learning Objectives: In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to:

1.Use arithmetic and geometric concepts and representations to solve, estimate, calculate and check answers to problems to determine the reasonableness of results.
2. Utilize linear, exponential and other nonlinear models to evaluate the nature of relationships in real world problems.
3. Organize, analyze and interpret various representations of data, including functions, graphs and tables.
4. Utilize a variety of problem solving strategies to solve problems and communicate findings using appropriate mathematical language and symbolism.

Courses Meeting GE Competency (Take one course below or earn a passing score on the competency exam.)
MATH 105 Essential Math for College Students
MATH 124  Technical Mathematics II
MATH 126  Mathematics for Business
MATH 151  Intermediate Algebra
MATH 154 Mathematics Explorations 
or receive a qualifying score on accepted placement tests

General Education Goal: Communication

C3 GE Writing Competency

Write effectively.

Learning Objectives:
In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to:
1. Write clear and concise sentences using Standard American English with appropriate syntax and mechanics.
2. Write paragraphs that demonstrate unity and coherence with appropriate details and examples that support the topic and thesis.
3. Develop written compositions using organizational patterns or rhetorical modes appropriate for the desired audience and purpose.
4. Combine the composition skills of prewriting, revising and editing to complete a final, college-level draft.

Courses Meeting GE Competency (Take one.)
ENGL 151  English Composition I

C4 Computer Literacy Competency

Understand and apply current and appropriate technology tools and resources.

Learning Objectives: In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to: 
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the functionality and terminology associated with current information technology tools and resources.
2. Demonstrate the ability to conduct online research to locate and retrieve relevant information from credible sources.
3. Demonstrates the ability to use document processing software.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use presentation software to communicate information and ideas. 
5. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately and responsibly utilize current communication technology methods.

Courses Meeting GE Competency (Take one course below or earn a passing score on the competency exam.)
BMGT 160  Managing in the Digital Enterprise
CIS 130  Introduction to Computer Information Systems
MDTC 160  Mechanical Drafting and CAD I

General Education Goal: Social and Cultural Awareness

C5 GE Human Experience Competency

Recognize expressions of the human experience.

Learning Objectives:
In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to: 
1. Analyze key events (including historical, social, economic and/or personal) that influenced a particular form of creative human expression.
2. Analyze key events (including historical, social, economic and/or personal) that demonstrate how a particular form of creative human expression influenced other works.
3. Evaluate a particular form of creative human expression in the context of the appropriate academic discipline.
4. Create or reconstruct an expression of the human experience and share with others (if the class is performance based).

Courses Meeting GE Competency (take one)
ART 155 Art Appreciation
ART 280  Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic
ART 281  Art History: Renaissance to Baroque
ART 282  Art History: Neo-Classical/Early Modern
DANCE 251  History of Dance
ENGL 240  African American Literature
ENGL 251  Introduction to Poetry and Drama
ENGL 252  Introduction to Short Story and Novel
ENGL 253  American Literature
ENGL 255  Women’s Literature
ENGL 256  Children’s Literature
ENGL 260  Introduction to Shakespeare
ENGL 261  Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 266  Non-Western Literature
ENGL 267  British Literature: Anglo Saxon to 18th Century
ENGL 268  British Literature: Romantic to Modern
FREN 151  Elementary French I
HUMAN 151  Introduction to Humanities
HUMAN 152 Exploring Creativity 
HUMAN 250 Visual Media Literacy
HUMAN 256  Film & American Society:  1920s to Early 1960s
HUMAN 257  Film & American Society: 1960s to Present
MUSIC 150  Agora Chorale
MUSIC 265  History and Appreciation of Jazz
MUSIC 266  History of Rock Music
MUSIC 268  Popular Music in America
PHIL 152  Introduction to Western Philosophy
PHIL 253  Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 254 Introduction to Medical Ethics 
THEA 151  Introduction to Theater
THEA 251  Fundamentals of Acting

C6 GE Social Systems Competency

Understanding the processes that influence human values, thoughts, social systems, and behavior

Learning Objectives:
In order to achieve the learning outcome, the student will be able to: 
1. Recognize the processes by which individuals acquire social knowledge attitudes and beliefs. 
2. Recognize major influences on social behavior and social systems. 
3. Demonstrate knowledge of human diversity including characteristics of a culture outside the student’s own. 
4. Demonstrate knowledge of at least one systematic method for obtaining knowledge about social influences according to a recognized social science discipline. 

Courses Meeting GE Competency (Take one.)
ANTHR 152  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 
COMM 151  Introduction to Mass Media
GWST 151 Introduction to Gender Studies 
HIST 151  Western Civilization to 1650
HIST 152  Western Civilization: 1650 to Present
HIST 153 History of Michigan
HIST 154 History of the U.S. 1607-1877
HIST 155 History of the U.S. 1877- present 
HIST 158  World History to 1500
HIST 159  World History: 1500 to Present
HIST 160 Civil War and Reconstruction 
HIST 173  20th Century History and Civilization
POLSC 151  Introduction to Political Science
POLSC 158 Introduction to Political Theory 
PSYCH 151  General Psychology
SOC 151  Principles of Sociology
SOC 160 Social Gerontology 
SOC 161  Death, Loss and Grief
SOC 253 Race and Ethnicity 

Important Notes Regarding General Education

Courses required in the curriculum for particular programs may also fulfill General Education requirements. Students should carefully compare course requirements for their programs with General Education requirements to ensure they enroll in the most efficient manner possible.

Particular programs may recommend students take specific courses meeting General Education requirements for the purpose of transfer. Students should check the transfer requirements for the college or university they plan to attend to ensure they enroll for the appropriate required courses.

Students meeting General Education requirements by earning passing scores on the competency exam may need to make up credit hours for degree requirements. A student must earn a minimum of 60 semester
hours of credit, 15 of which must be earned at MCCC.

Transfer courses not having an equivalency at MCCC may be evaluated for competency by a faculty content expert and approved by the dean of that division. This process is initiated by the transfer student
and will be done on a case-by-case basis.

Degree Requirements

To earn the associate of arts degree, the student must successfully complete courses from the following areas:

General Education (See General Education Requirements for an approved list of courses.)

Goal: Critical Thinking
Competency 1: Understand and apply the elements of scientific inquiry and scientific principles in a natural science college laboratory course setting.
Competency 2: Use mathematics to effectively model and evaluate quantitative relationships.

Goal: Communication
Competency 3: Write effectively.
Competency 4: Understand and apply current and appropriate technology tools and resources.

Goal: Social and Cultural Awareness
Competency 5: Recognize expressions of the human experience.
Competency 6: Understand the processes that influence human values, thoughts, social systems and behavior.

Additional Requirements

Written Communication – 3 Semester Hours

In addition to the course taken to meet the General Education Competency (C3), the student must successfully complete one additional writing course selected from English 102,152, 155 or 254.

Social Science – 9 Semester Hours
In addition to the courses taken to meet the General Education Competencies (C5) and (C6), the student must successfully complete nine additional semester hours selected from two different subject areas listed below:
Anthropology, economics, geography (except Geography 151), history, political science, psychology, social work, sociology or criminal justice.

Humanities – 6 Semester Hours
In addition to the courses taken to meet the General Education Competencies (C5) and (C6), the student must successfully complete six additional semester hours selected from two different subject areas listed below:
Art, communications, English (excluding English courses taken to meet the Writing Effectively competency and the written communications requirement), humanities, journalism, music,
philosophy, speech or theater.

Foreign Language – 8 Semester Hours
The student must successfully complete eight semester hours of one foreign language. Students with a minimum of four semesters of one foreign language in high school may petition the dean of humanities/social sciences for a waiver of one course (four credits) of this requirement. Students receiving waivers do not earn college credit and will need to earn additional hours to meet the 60-hour degree requirement.

Students can earn a Global Studies Degree Designation at MCCC

To earn the associate of science degree, the student must successfully complete courses from the following areas:

General Education (See General Education Requirements for an approved list of courses.)

Goal: Critical Thinking
Competency 1: Understand and apply the elements of scientific inquiry and scientific principles in a natural science college laboratory course setting.
Competency 2: Use mathematics to effectively model and evaluate quantitative relationships.

Goal: Communication
Competency 3: Write effectively.
Competency 4: Understand and apply current and appropriate technology tools and resources.
 

Goal: Social and Cultural Awareness
Competency 5: Recognize expressions of the human experience.
Competency 6: Understand the processes that influence human values, thoughts, social systems and behavior.

Additional Requirements

Written Communication – 3 Semester Hours
In addition to the course taken to meet the General Education
Competency (C3), the student must successfully complete one
additional writing course selected from English 102, 152, 155 or 254.
 

Social Science – 6 Semester Hours
In addition to the courses taken to meet the General Education Competencies (C5) and (C6), the student must successfully complete an additional six semester hours selected from two subject areas listed below:
Anthropology, economics, geography (except Geography 151), history, political science, psychology, social work, sociology or criminal justice.

Students can earn a Global Studies Degree Designation at MCCC.

To earn the associate of applied science degree students must successfully complete courses from the following areas.

General Education (See General Education Requirements for an approved list of courses.)

Goal: Critical Thinking
Competency 1: Understand and apply the elements of scientific inquiry and scientific principles in a natural science college laboratory course setting.
Competency 2: Use mathematics to effectively model and evaluate quantitative relationships.
 

Goal: Communication
Competency 3: Write effectively.
Competency 4: Understand and apply current and appropriate technology tools and resources.
 

Goal: Social and Cultural Awareness
Competency 5: Recognize expressions of the human experience.
Competency 6: Understand the processes that influence human values, thoughts, social systems and behavior.
 

Additional Requirements

Technical and Specialty Areas
32 or more semester hours as outlined in specific AAS degree programs or specialty areas. Deviation from a specified program may be made only with approval of the division dean, vice president of
instruction or their designees.

Apprenticeship Training
A maximum of 32 credits for apprentice training completion may be awarded toward required coursework for the associate degree. Students interested in applying apprentice training toward credit for this degree need to produce documentation of successful completion of the apprenticeship training throughthe following: 1) Authenticated or official copies of completion certificate, and 2) Transcripts of courses completed toward fulfillment of the apprentice training that clearly show course names and titles, where available.

Students can earn a Global Studies Degree Designation at MCCC.

To earn the associate of fine arts degree, students must successfully complete courses from the following areas.

General Education (See General Education Requirements for an approved list of courses.)

Goal: Critical Thinking
Competency 1: Understand and apply the elements of
scientific inquiry and scientific principles in a natural science
college laboratory course setting.
Competency 2: Use mathematics to effectively model and
evaluate quantitative relationships.
Goal: Communication
Competency 3: Write effectively.
Competency 4: Understand and apply current and
appropriate technology tools and resources.
Goal: Social and Cultural Awareness
Competency 5: Recognize expressions of the human
experience.
Competency 6: Understand the processes that influence
human values, thoughts, social systems and behavior.
 

Additional Requirements

Social Science – 3 Semester Hours
In addition to the courses taken to meet the General Education Competencies (C5) and (C6), the student must successfully complete an additional three semester hours selected from two subject areas listed below:
Anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, social work, sociology or criminal justice.

Humanities – 3 Semester Hours
In addition to the courses taken to meet the General Education Competencies (C5) and (C6), the student must successfully complete an additional three semester hours selected from two subject areas listed below:
Art, communications, English (except English 151), foreign
language, humanities, journalism, music, philosophy, speech or
theater.

Area of Specialization – 32 semester hours of ART courses
The student must successfully complete one of the art curricula that reflects a high degree of specialization.

Students can earn a Global Studies Degree Designation at MCCC.

Other Information

Honors Designation

MCCC has an Honors Program that provides high-achieving and highly motivated students with opportunities for service leadership, community-based civic-engagement and advanced academic scholarship. Students who complete the requirements for the program will receive an Honors Designation on their transcript.

Honors Program Curriculum Outcomes
Students in the Honors Program will focus on one or more of the following areas:

  • Leadership – Students will demonstrate leadership skills by
    taking initiative, working effectively in teams for a common
    purpose, and involving and motivating others.
  • Citizenship - Students will demonstrate engagement with the
    civic life of the local or global community and promote quality
    of life in their communities through political or non-political
    processes
  • Scholarship - Students will demonstrate the ability to acquire,
    analyze, and synthesize knowledge in a field of study or from
    multiple disciplines, using appropriate methodologies and
    theoretical frameworks, to present a unique contribution to a field
    (or multiple fields) of study.

Getting Started

To begin your journey in earning an Honors Designation, complete an application for membership into the Honors Program. Following review and acceptance, the Honors Program coordinator will assist you in outlining your curriculum towards fulfillment of requirements and completion of your degree. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 734.384.4104.

Global Studies Degree Designation

The Global Studies Degree Designation is a campus-wide opportunity for students to gain knowledge about global issues and multicultural influences while earning any MCCC degree. The Global Studies Degree Designation is earned while pursuing the degree of choice.

Most of the requirements of the Global Studies Degree Designation can be met while the student pursues their chosen degree requirements as stated in their chosen degree program or transfer guidelines. Students accomplish this by selecting particular courses to meet their graduation, departmental and distribution course requirements, in addition to selecting particular elective courses. Courses that meet these requirements are designated in the MCCC College Catalog as a satisfier course for the Global Studies Degree Designation.”

Global Studies Curriculum Outcomes

Students who complete the Global Studies Degree Designation will be able to
• Articulate international trends and issues
• Appreciate and understand international cultures outside their own
• Communicate effectively with individuals from international cultures outside their own
• Explore how globalization affects their individual field of study
• Attain awareness of how global growth will impact their world

Getting Started
To get started in earning a Global Studies Degree Designation, complete a Global Studies designation application and plan your program in conjunction with your program advisor or the Global Studies Coordinator. See https://www.monroeccc.edu/global-studies-program for additional information.

Requirements for Graduation from a Certificate Program

The student must attain a grade point average of “C” or higher (2.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale) at graduation in the course work required for the certificate.

Graduation with Honors

Students who maintain a 3.5 overall average or higher upon graduation are awarded graduation honors at the commencement. As grades are not available in time for the ceremony, honors in the commencement program are based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the term preceding graduation. Graduation with honors is , however placed on the transcript and the diploma using the GPA upon completion of the requirements for the degree.

Honors Designation        GPA Required
Summa Cum Laude           3.900 to 4.000
Magna Cum Laude            3.700 to 3.899
Cum Laude                        3.500 to 3.699 

Second Degree

To earn a second associate degree from Monroe County Community College, the student must complete twenty (20) semester hours in a specific subject area beyond the requirements of the first associate degree.