Harold Washington College Orientation Guide

DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
                Degree                        Degree Abbreviation               Minimum Credit Hours Req.

Associate in Arts                                  AA                              Minimum 62 Credit Hours*

Associate in Applied Science**            AAS                              Minimum 60 Credit Hours*

Associate in Engineering Science            AES                            Minimum 64 Credit Hours

Associate in Fine Arts ***                     AFA                             Minimum 62 Credit Hours

Associate in General Studies                  AGS                              Minimum 60 Credit Hours

Associate in Science                               AS                               Minimum 64 Credit Hours

*  Hours needed vary according to concentration.
**Not considered a transfer degree; however, some 4-year colleges and universities will accept
coursework pursued for an AAS degree toward similar majors.
***Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) approval for art programs is pending.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
            Certificate                        Certificate Abbreviation            Credit Hours Req.

Advanced Certificate                            AC                                    30-59 Credit Hours

Basic Certificate                                    BC                                    1-29 Credit Hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Only courses numbered “101” or higher (except for Chemistry 100) can be used to meet
   degree requirements. 
   Mathematics courses must be numbered 118 or higher to meet graduation requirements for
   the AA, AAS, AGS, & AFA degrees.
2. Candidates for graduation MUST complete examinations of the Constitution of the
   United States and the State of Illinois, the Code of the American Flag, and the Declaration
   of Independence.  (This requirement is waived for students who have completed the test for
   Illinois high school graduation, a GED Certificate, and for students who have earned
   credit in History 111 or Political Science 201.)
3. Candidates for graduation MUST earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses needed
   for concentration and in all general education core courses.
4. No more than four (4) credit hours of voluntary (not required for a specialized program)
   physical education courses may be used as elective credit.
5. To receive a diploma or certificate from Harold Washington College, the student’s last
   fifteen (15) credit hours must be taken at Harold Washington College.