Associate Degree Requirements

The awarding of an Associate Degree is intended to represent more than an accumulation of units. It is to
symbolize a successful attempt on the part of the College to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop individual capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics; to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the capacity for self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

Graduation from Skyline College with the Associate Degree (AA or AS) is based upon the completion of 60-degree applicable units, including Residency, G.P.A., Graduation, Major, and General Education requirements. (See college catalog for major requirements).
Students are held to graduation requirements listed in the catalog at the time enrollment begins, referred to as “Catalog Rights”, and may choose to use these rights for any subsequent year of continuous enrollment. “Continuous enrollment” is defined as attendance in at least one term (fall, spring, or summer) each academic year. If a break in attendance occurs before graduation, the degree requirements shall become those listed in the college catalog which is current at the time studies are resumed.
A maximum of 12 units from courses in which the student has elected a “Pass/No Pass” option may be applied to the Association Degree. For general education Option 2, see the Cal-GETC General Education pattern for limitations.
Students who intend to transfer to four-year colleges and universities should meet with a Skyline College counselor to discuss limitations transfer institutions may place on the transferability of credits completed at institutionally accredited institutions, course modality, and other factors.
It is the student’s responsibility to file a petition for graduation (refer to online academic calendar for deadline).

ATTENTION: This is a guide to help you in selecting courses and keeping track of your progress. You are strongly encouraged to meet with your counselor to review your selections and to complete a Student Education Plan, which will assist you in keeping track of your progress and in reaching your educational goals.

1. RESIDENCY & GPA REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of 12 units must be completed at any of the SMCCCD Colleges. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in all degree-applicable coursework. The GPA from courses taken in SMCCCD and those courses from outside SMCCCD will be used in the calculation for graduation. Honors and Phi Theta Kappa are calculated and recorded at each college.
2. LOCAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
2a. Information Literacy Option A Successful completion of LIBR 890 Information Literacy (noncredit course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis). or LIBR 100 Foundations of Information Literacy; or LIBR 102 Advanced Information Literacy (1 unit credit courses offered on a Pass/No Pass basis). OR Option B Satisfactory completion of an equivalent college-level information literacy or information competency course or requirement with a grade of C or better, or Pass. Students must submit an Information Literacy Equivalency Petition for review and approval. Consult the Skyline College Library website at skylinecollege.edu/library for details on completing both options of the Information Literacy requirement.
2b. American History and Institutions (AH&I) Students must complete one course chosen from any of the courses that meet Areas US-1 (American History), US-2 (The U.S. Constitution), and US-3 (CA State & Local Goverment) US-1 (American History): HIST 429 effective Fall 2012 US-1 & US-2 (American History & The U.S. Constitution): HIST C1001, C1002, 235, 244 POLS 210* US-2 (The U.S. Constitution): LEGL 275 effective Fall 2014 US-3 (California State & Local Government): HIST 240 310 POLS 310* US-2 & US-3 (Constitution & California State & Local Government): POLS C1000* POLS courses, former discipline prefix PLSC, prior to Fall 2025 Note:* Course used to meet the AH&I requirement may also be applied to meet General Education requirements.
3. MAJOR REQUIREMENT
A minimum of 18 units must be completed in a major. Some majors require the completion of more than 18 semester units. In addition to completing the course and unit requirements for the major, a student must: Complete with a grade of “C” or better (or Pass) all courses used to satisfy both core and elective requirements for the major. Complete 12 units or 50% of the units required for the major, whichever is fewer, at one or more of the San Mateo County Community College District colleges. Note: Specific requirements for majors may be found in the Skyline College Catalog under “Associate Degree and Certificate Programs.”
4. GENERAL ELECTIVES
Additional courses to meet the minimum 60 unit degree requirement (non-degree applicable courses do not meet this requirement).
5. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Students may complete one of two different general education patterns: Option 1 Skyline General Education (24 units): This option is recommended for students who intend to earn an associate degree. Some courses may also apply to Option 2 Option 2 Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum) (34 units): This option is recommended for students who intend to earn an associate degree while also planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. Cal-GETC is also the required general education pattern for students who intend to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). Please refer to the Skyline College Cal-GETC general education pattern for requirements and limitations. Important Notes: Although a course may be listed in more than one area, a student may use a course to satisfy only one subject area; Students completing an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) must select Option 2 (Cal-GETC); Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution, shall be deemed to have fulfilled the Skyline College General Education requirements (Option 1). Option 1 (Skyline GE) does not apply to the Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT).
Skyline College General Education (24 units)
LEGEND: CCN + Cross-listed Course • Includes Lab Activity in the course # Note ◊ Skyline GE only (not Cal-GETC) Area 1 - English Composition, Oral Communication and Critical Thinking* (6 units required; 3 units from Area 1A and 3 units from Area 1B) Note: Courses in Area 1 must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better. 1A - English Composition: ENGL C1000, C1000E, C1002◊* 1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking: COMM C1000, 127◊, C1004◊, 140◊, 150◊ ENGL C1001, C1002 PHIL 103, 200◊ Note: Students intending to use courses from 1A and 1B to meet UC minimum admission and general education requirements, including Cal-GETC, will need to complete these courses with grades of "C" or better. Students are advised to check with their Skyline College counselor for further information.
Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units required) Note: Courses in Area 2 must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better. BUS.113◊, 120, 123 CIS 262 MATH 130◊, 145#, 150◊, 211, 212, 222, 225, 241, 243, C2210, C2220, 253, 270, 275 PSYC 171 STAT C1000* #MATH 145, formerly MATH 201 effective FA2026 Note: Students intending to use an Area 2 course to meet UC minimum admission and general education requirements, including Cal-GETC, will need to complete the course with a grade of "C" or better. Students are advised to check with their Skyline College counselor for further information.
Area 3 - Arts and Humanities (3 units required. Complete one course from Area 3A or Area 3B. 3A - Arts: ART 175, 221◊, 350 ARTH 105, 107, 115+, 120, 130, C1100, C1200 DANC 100, 102, 103 ETHN 288 FILM 100 MUS. 100, 105◊, 115+, 202, 205, 206, 240, 250, 275, 277 + ARTH 115 same as MUS. 115 3B - Humanities: ARBC 111◊, 112◊ ARTH 117 ASL 100◊, 110◊ CHIN 111◊,112◊, 121◊, 122◊ DANC 102 ECE. 191 ENGL C1002* ESOL 400 ETHN 265 FILI 110◊ 120◊ HIST 100, 101, 104, 106, 203, 235, 240, 244, 248, 310, 335, 420, 429, 435, C1001, C1002 LIT. 101, 154, 155, 201, 202, 231, 232, 251, 265, 266, 267, 370, 432 MUS. 277 PHIL 100, 160, 240, 280+, 300, 312, 320 POLS 280+ SPAN 110◊, 120◊, 130, 140, 160, 220, 230 + POLS 280 same as PHIL 280
Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units required. Complete one course.) ADMJ 100 ANTH 110, 150, 155, 165, 170, 180, 360 BUS. 100◊, 101◊ CDEV C1000+, 901+ COMM* 150, 160 COUN 110 ECE. 212+, 912+ ECON 210, 220, C2001, C2002 ETHN 101, 103, 107, 108, 109, 120, 130, 140, 142, 265 GBST 101, 102 GEOG 110, 150 HIST 100, 101, 104, 106, 203, 235, 240, 244, 248, 310, 335, 420, 429, 435, 436, C1001, C1002 HSCI 122 JOUR 110 KINE 330+, 510◊ LEGL 275 PHIL 280+ POLS 115, 130, C1000, 210, 280+, 310 PSYC* C1000, 105, 110+, 200, 201+, 220, 230, 268, 300, 310, 330+, 340, 410 SOCI* C1000, 105, 110+, 141,160 SJS* 110, 130 SOSC 270 + CDEV C1000, 901 same as PSYC 201 + ECE. 212 same as ECE. 912 + PHIL 280 same as POLS 280 + PSYC 110 same as SOCI 110 + KINE 330 same as PSYC 330 # POLS formerly PLSC effective FA2025
Area 5 - Natural Sciences (3 units required. Complete one course from Area 5A or 5B.) Note: Students intending to transfer to a 4-year college or university may also be required to complete a laboratory course that corresponds to a lecture course. Please consult with a Skyline College counselor 5A - Physical Sciences: ASTR C1001* CHEM 112•, 114+•, 192•, 210•, 220•, 234, 235, 410• ENVS 100 GEOG 100,106+• GEOL 100, 105, 106+•, 210•, 220• OCEN 100 PHYS 100, 114+•, 210•, 220•, 250•, 260•, 270• + CHEM 114 same as PHYS 114 + GEOG 106 same as GEOL 106 5B - Life Sciences: ANTH C1001* BIOL 101•, 111•, 130, 140,145, 150, 170+, 215•, 230•, 240•, 250•, 260•, C1000•* BTEC 170+ ENVS 100 PSYC 220 + BIOL 170 same as BTEC 170
Area 6 - Ethnic Studies (3 units required. Complete one course.) ETHN 101, 103, 108, 109, 120, 130, 142, 265
Area 7 - Kinesiology Activity, Personal Development and Wellness (3 units required. Minimum of one unit from 7A) 7A - Kinesiology Activity ADAP 358, 359 COMB 105.1-105.3, 301, 302, 401.1-401.4 DANC 117.1-117.2, 119.1-119.4, 121.1-121.4, 125.1-125.4, 128.1-128.4, 130.1-130.4, 140.1-140.4, 150.1-150.2, 151.1-151.4, 152.1-152.4, 157.1-157.4 161,162, 163, 164, 330.1-330.4, 350.1-350.4, 391, 395.1-395.4, 400.1-400.4, 410.1-410.4 FITN 106, 107, 112.1-112.4, 116.1-116.4,199.1-199.2, 201.1-201.4, 219.1- 219.4, 301.1-301.4, 304.1-304.4, 305.1- 305.4, 332.1-332.4, 334.1-334.4, 335.1- 335.4, 400.1-400.4 INDV 101.1-101.4, 251.1-251.4 TEAM 105 111.1-111.4, 112, 116, 132.1-132.4, 141.1-141.4, 148.1-148.4,188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 201, 203 VARS 100, 110, 150, 200, 300, 340, 342, 350, 360, 390 7B - Personal Development and Wellness BIOL 310◊ COUN 100◊, 101◊#. 102◊#, 650.1◊#, 650.2◊#, 655.1◊#, 655.2◊# CRER 116◊#, 126◊, 127◊, 137◊, 665◊# HSCI 100◊ KINE 101◊, 135◊, 136◊, 305◊ LIBR 100◊, 102◊, 103◊ P.E. 105◊ WELL 716◊, 718◊ #COUN 101, 102, 650.1, 650.2, 655.1, 655.2 effective FA2026 #CRER 116 and 665 effective FA2026 Area 7 Exemptions Area 7A - Students with a note, as certified by a licensed physician due to a medical condition, may substitute courses from 7B Personal Development and Wellness to meet the 7A Kinesiology activity requirement. Check with the Dean of KAD for further information. Area 7A & 7B - Veterans who have completed Basic Training and submitted their Joint Services Transcript (JST) will receive 3 units of credit toward compeletion of 7A and 7B.
COMMON COURSE NUMBERING (CCN)* Starting in Fall 2025, some Skyline College course titles course numbers, and discipline prefixes changed to align with Common Course Numbering (CCN); these changes are happending state-wide at all California Community Colleges. For more information about CCN, please visit the Skyline College Transfer Center Common Course Numbering webpage.

1. RESIDENCY & GPA REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 12 units must be completed at any of the SMCCCD Colleges.
A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in all degree-applicable coursework.
The GPA from courses taken in SMCCCD and those courses from outside SMCCCD will be used in the calculation for graduation. Honors and Phi Theta Kappa are calculated and recorded at each college.

2. LOCAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

2a. Information Literacy

Option A

Successful completion of LIBR 890 Information Literacy (noncredit course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis).

LIBR 100 Foundations of Information Literacy; or LIBR 102 Advanced Information Literacy (1 unit credit courses offered on a Pass/No Pass basis).

Option B

Satisfactory completion of an equivalent college-level information literacy or information competency course or requirement with a grade of C or better, or Pass. Students must submit an Information Literacy Equivalency Petition for review and approval. Consult the Skyline College Library website at skylinecollege.edu/library for details on completing both options of the Information Literacy requirement.

2b. American History and Institutions (AH&I)

Students must complete one course chosen from any of the courses that meet Areas US-1 (American History), US-2 (The U.S. Constitution), and US-3 (CA State & Local Goverment)

US-1 (American History): HIST 429 effective Fall 2012

US-1 & US-2 (American History & The U.S. Constitution): HIST C1001*, C1002*, 235, 244 POLS 210*

US-2 (The U.S. Constitution): LEGL 275 effective Fall 2014

US-3 (California State & Local Government): HIST 240 310 POLS 310*

US-2 & US-3 (Constitution & California State & Local Government): POLS C1000*

*POLS courses, former discipline prefix PLSC, prior to Fall 2025

Note: Course used to meet the AH&I requirement may also be applied to meet General Education requirements.

3. MAJOR REQUIREMENT

A minimum of 18 units must be completed in a major. Some majors require the completion of more than 18 semester units. In addition to completing the course and unit requirements for the major, a student must:

Complete with a grade of “C” or better (or Pass) all courses used to satisfy both core and elective requirements for the major.
Complete 12 units or 50% of the units required for the major, whichever is fewer, at one or more of the San Mateo County Community College District colleges.

Note: Specific requirements for majors may be found in the Skyline College Catalog under “Associate Degree and Certificate Programs.”

4. GENERAL ELECTIVES

Additional courses to meet the minimum 60 unit degree requirement (non-degree applicable courses do not meet this requirement).

5. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Students may complete one of two different general education patterns:

Option 1 Skyline General Education (24 units): This option is recommended for students who intend to earn an associate degree. Some courses may also apply to Option 2
Option 2 Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum) (34 units): This option is recommended for students who intend to earn an associate degree while also planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. Cal-GETC is also the required general education pattern for students who intend to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). Please refer to the Skyline College Cal-GETC general education pattern for requirements and limitations.

Important Notes:

Although a course may be listed in more than one area, a student may use a course to satisfy only one subject area;
Students completing an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) must select Option 2 (Cal-GETC);
Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution, shall be deemed to have fulfilled the Skyline College General Education requirements (Option 1).
Option 1 (Skyline GE) does not apply to the Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT).

Skyline College General Education (24 units)

LEGEND:

*CCN

+ Cross-listed Course

• Includes Lab Activity in the course

# Note

◊ Skyline GE only (not Cal-GETC)

Area 1 - English Composition, Oral Communication and Critical Thinking (6 units required; 3 units from Area 1A and 3 units from Area 1B)

Note: Courses in Area 1 must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

1A - English Composition:

ENGL C1000*, C1000E*, C1002◊*

1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking:

COMM C1000*, 127◊, C1004◊*, 140◊, 150◊ ENGL C1001*, C1002* PHIL 103, 200◊

Note: Students intending to use courses from 1A and 1B to meet UC minimum admission and general education requirements, including Cal-GETC, will need to complete these courses with grades of "C" or better. Students are advised to check with their Skyline College counselor for further information.

Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units required)

Note: Courses in Area 2 must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

BUS.113◊, 120, 123 CIS 262 MATH 130◊, 145#, 150◊, 211, 212, 222, 225, 241, 243, C2210*, C2220*, 253, 270, 275
PSYC 171 STAT C1000*

#MATH 145, formerly MATH 201 effective FA2026

Note: Students intending to use an Area 2 course to meet UC minimum admission and general education requirements, including Cal-GETC, will need to complete the course with a grade of "C" or better. Students are advised to check with their Skyline College counselor for further information.

Area 3 - Arts and Humanities (3 units required. Complete one course from Area 3A or Area 3B.

3A - Arts:

ART 175, 221◊, 350 ARTH 105, 107, 115+, 120, 130, C1100*, C1200* DANC 100, 102, 103 ETHN 288 FILM 100 MUS. 100, 105◊, 115+, 202, 205, 206, 240, 250, 275, 277

+ ARTH 115 same as MUS. 115

3B - Humanities:

ARBC 111◊, 112◊ ARTH 117 ASL 100◊, 110◊ CHIN 111◊,112◊, 121◊, 122◊ DANC 102 ECE. 191 ENGL C1002* ESOL 400 ETHN 265 FILI 110◊ 120◊ HIST 100, 101, 104, 106, 203, 235, 240, 244, 248, 310, 335, 420, 429, 435, C1001*, C1002* LIT. 101, 154, 155, 201, 202, 231, 232, 251, 265, 266, 267, 370, 432 MUS. 277 PHIL 100, 160, 240, 280+, 300, 312, 320 POLS 280+ SPAN 110◊, 120◊, 130, 140, 160, 220, 230

+ POLS 280 same as PHIL 280

Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units required. Complete one course.)

ADMJ 100 ANTH 110, 150, 155, 165, 170, 180, 360 BUS. 100◊, 101◊ CDEV C1000+*, 901+ COMM 150, 160 COUN 110 ECE. 212+, 912+ ECON 210, 220, C2001*, C2002* ETHN 101, 103, 107, 108, 109, 120, 130, 140, 142, 265 GBST 101, 102 GEOG 110, 150 HIST 100, 101, 104, 106, 203, 235, 240, 244, 248, 310, 335, 420, 429, 435, 436, C1001*, C1002* HSCI 122 JOUR 110 KINE 330+, 510◊ LEGL 275 PHIL 280+ POLS 115, 130, C1000*, 210, 280+, 310 PSYC C1000*, 105, 110+, 200, 201+, 220, 230, 268, 300, 310, 330+, 340, 410 SOCI C1000*, 105, 110+, 141,160 SJS 110, 130 SOSC 270

+ CDEV C1000, 901 same as PSYC 201
+ ECE. 212 same as ECE. 912
+ PHIL 280 same as POLS 280
+ PSYC 110 same as SOCI 110
+ KINE 330 same as PSYC 330

# POLS formerly PLSC effective FA2025

Area 5 - Natural Sciences (3 units required. Complete one course from Area 5A or 5B.)

Note: Students intending to transfer to a 4-year college or university may also be required to complete a laboratory course that corresponds to a lecture course. Please consult with a Skyline College counselor

5A - Physical Sciences:

ASTR C1001* CHEM 112•, 114+•, 192•, 210•, 220•, 234, 235, 410• ENVS 100 GEOG 100,106+• GEOL 100, 105, 106+•, 210•, 220• OCEN 100 PHYS 100, 114+•, 210•, 220•, 250•, 260•, 270•

+ CHEM 114 same as PHYS 114
+ GEOG 106 same as GEOL 106

5B - Life Sciences:

ANTH C1001* BIOL 101•, 111•, 130, 140,145, 150, 170+, 215•, 230•, 240•, 250•, 260•, C1000•* BTEC 170+ ENVS 100 PSYC 220

+ BIOL 170 same as BTEC 170

Area 6 - Ethnic Studies (3 units required. Complete one course.)

ETHN 101, 103, 108, 109, 120, 130, 142, 265

Area 7 - Kinesiology Activity, Personal Development and Wellness (3 units required. Minimum of one unit from 7A)

7A - Kinesiology Activity

ADAP 358, 359 COMB 105.1-105.3, 301, 302, 401.1-401.4 DANC 117.1-117.2, 119.1-119.4, 121.1-121.4, 125.1-125.4, 128.1-128.4, 130.1-130.4, 140.1-140.4, 150.1-150.2, 151.1-151.4, 152.1-152.4, 157.1-157.4 161,162, 163, 164, 330.1-330.4, 350.1-350.4, 391, 395.1-395.4, 400.1-400.4, 410.1-410.4 FITN 106, 107, 112.1-112.4, 116.1-116.4,199.1-199.2, 201.1-201.4, 219.1- 219.4, 301.1-301.4, 304.1-304.4, 305.1- 305.4, 332.1-332.4, 334.1-334.4, 335.1- 335.4, 400.1-400.4 INDV 101.1-101.4, 251.1-251.4 TEAM 105 111.1-111.4, 112, 116, 132.1-132.4, 141.1-141.4, 148.1-148.4,188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 201, 203 VARS 100, 110, 150, 200, 300, 340, 342, 350, 360, 390

7B - Personal Development and Wellness

BIOL 310◊ COUN 100◊, 101◊#. 102◊#, 650.1◊#, 650.2◊#, 655.1◊#, 655.2◊# CRER 116◊#, 126◊, 127◊, 137◊, 665◊# HSCI 100◊ KINE 101◊, 135◊, 136◊, 305◊ LIBR 100◊, 102◊, 103◊ P.E. 105◊ WELL 716◊, 718◊

#COUN 101, 102, 650.1, 650.2, 655.1, 655.2 effective FA2026

#CRER 116 and 665 effective FA2026

Area 7 Exemptions

Area 7A - Students with a note, as certified by a licensed physician due to a medical condition, may substitute courses from 7B Personal Development and Wellness to meet the 7A Kinesiology activity requirement. Check with the Dean of KAD for further information.
Area 7A & 7B - Veterans who have completed Basic Training and submitted their Joint Services Transcript (JST) will receive 3 units of credit toward compeletion of 7A and 7B.

COMMON COURSE NUMBERING (CCN)*

Starting in Fall 2025, some Skyline College course titles course numbers, and discipline prefixes changed to align with Common Course Numbering (CCN); these changes are happending state-wide at all California Community Colleges. For more information about CCN, please visit the Skyline College Transfer Center Common Course Numbering webpage.