2008-2009 Volume 83, No. 1

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DEGREES, CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
(College Policy 6Hx23-4.24)(11/2007)

The College awards bachelors degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas for satisfactory completion of a planned program of post-high school studies.

1. The following general requirements for graduation from St. Petersburg College must be met by all students who are candidates for the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees.
   
   
   1. Students must satisfactorily complete at least 120 hours of college-level credits. For residency purposes, at least 30 of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned at St. Petersburg College. Students who have left the College must be eligible to return for transfer credits to be accepted to meet graduation requirements. All other specific degree requirements must also be met. Credit awarded for college preparatory instruction (0000 designation courses) may not be counted toward fulfilling the total number of credits or the number of credits in residency required for a degree.
   
   
   
   2. For purposes of conferring a bachelor degree, students must complete at least 40 semester hours of courses numbered 3000 level or above. At least 30 of the 40 hours must be earned at St. Petersburg College.
   
   
   
   3. Fulfill all requirements for the chosen major.
   
   
   
   4. Students must generally achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all work at St. Petersburg College considered alone and for all work at the College and transfer credits combined, except for the College of Education, which requires that students achieve 2.5 or better average in all coursework. The quality point value of transfer work accepted by the College will be included in grade point average computations for all purposes including determination of achievement of the required 2.0 grade point average to be graduated from St. Petersburg College. Individual programs may require a higher grade point average for graduation.
   
   
   
   5. Students must complete the general education requirements for the Associate in Arts degree including any assessment of educational outcomes that are required by the College.
   
   
   
   6. Students must satisfactorily complete the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) unless exempt.
   
   
   
   7. Students who achieve a score of 500 on the Verbal and/or Math portions of the SAT I, or a score of 21 on the Enhanced ACT in Mathematics I or the English and/or a score of 22 on the Reading may be exempt from all or a portion of the CLAST.
   
   
   
   8. Students who complete appropriate coursework with a 2.5 GPA in each individual area where CLAST skills are taught (Reading, Writing, Computation and Essay Skills) shall be qualified for a CLAST exemption.
      
      
   9. Students must complete the writing requirement (met with an AA Degree).
      
      
      
   10. Students must complete 2 credits/consecutive years of the same foreign language or American Sign Language in high school (documented by an official high school transcript) or 8-10 credit hours in the same language or American Sign Language at the college level. Students may also provide official proof of successful completion of CLEP or other proficiency examination. Students admitted without this requirement met must satisfy it prior to graduation for any bachelor’s program.
   
   
   
   11. Students have a 15-term period, beginning with the academic year of initial acceptance and enrollment into a specific baccalaureate degree at the junior level, in which to complete graduation requirements under the terms of the College catalog which was in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. However, students may opt to meet the program course requirements for any catalog year within the 15-term period based on advisement provided by the program director and/or the counselor/advisor. Students who have not graduated within the 15-term period will begin a new 15-term period upon their enrollment following the expiration of their previous 15-term period.
   
   
   
   12. Students must submit a graduation application to the campus Admissions/Registration Office. Graduation application deadlines will be published in the College catalog. Students must apply for graduation by the published deadline to be assured of final clearance for graduation, timely receipt of the diploma and participation in the graduation ceremonies. Late applications for graduation will be accepted until the last day of classes for the term in which the student wishes to graduate. However, students who apply late will not be listed in the graduation program and may not be able to order caps and gowns or participate in the graduation ceremonies.
   
   
   
   13. Special graduation requirements must be met for individual programs as follows:
       
       
       1. Bachelor of Science in Education - For graduation requirements, please refer to Section D of Board Rule 6Hx23-4.72 College of Education Programs - Special Rules.
       
       
       
       2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing
          1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Nursing coursework.
          2. RN to BSN students must complete each NUR upper-division course with a grade of "C" or better in order to receive credit and progress in the program. If a student fails to obtain a "C" or better in any NUR upper-division course, the student may retake the course in order to attempt to achieve a "C" or better. In no event, however, shall a student be permitted to take any NUR upper-division course more than three (3) times by reason of failure to achieve a "C" or better.
          3. RN to BSN students who fail to receive a "C" or better in the same NUR upper-division course three (3) times will be academically dismissed from the program.
       
       
       3. Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management
          1. Completion of a minimum of 21 semester hours in a single technical discipline, certificate or program of study.
          2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Technology Management required major courses.
       
       
       4. Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
          1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Dental Hygiene coursework. Ten (10) semester hours may be earned by the presentation of a valid and current dental hygiene license, from the state in which the applicant is practicing.
          2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Dental Hygiene.
       
       
       5. Bachelor of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
          1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Veterinary Technology coursework. Ten (10) semester hours may be earned by transfer of AS degree credit hours in excess of 41.
          2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Veterinary Technology courses.
       
       
       6. Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration – Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Public Safety Administration coursework.
       
       
       
       7. Bachelor of Applied Science in International Business
       1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division International Business coursework (3 credit hours of intermediate foreign language may be eligible to be counted towards this requirement).
       2. Intermediate level foreign language proficiency as demonstrated by:
          1. One (1) semester (3 credit hours) of an intermediate level or conversational foreign language course;
          2. A qualifying score on the AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) exam;
          3. A qualifying rating on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview); or
          4. A Study Abroad Program approved by the College of Technology and Management will be counted towards the Intermediate Foreign Language Requirement.
       3. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division International Business required major courses.
       
       
       8. Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics - In addition to SPC graduation requirements, students must meet these special graduation requirements:
          1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Orthotics and Prosthetics coursework.
          2. A grade of "C" or better in all courses in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program.
          3. For transfer students, completion of the "individual learning plan."
          4. Students must satisfactorily complete an end of program competency assessment examination in theory and an end of program clinical evaluation.
          
          
       9. Bachelor of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
          1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Paralegal Studies coursework.
          2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Paralegal courses.
          
          
       10. Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Organizational Leadership
           1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Management and Organizational Leadership coursework.
           2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Management and Organizational Leadership required major courses.
              
              
       11. Bachelor of Applied Science in Interdisciplinary Health and Human Studies
           1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division Interdisciplinary Health and Human Studies coursework.
           2. A grade of "C" or better in all upper-division coursework in the Interdisciplinary Health and Human Studies program.
              
              
       12. Bachelor of Applied Science in Banking
           1. Completion of 40 semester hours of upper-division coursework in the Banking program.
           2. A grade of "C" or better in all coursework in the upper-division Banking required major courses.
              
              
2. The following general requirements for graduation from St. Petersburg College must be met by all students who are candidates for the Associate in Arts degree:
   
   
   1. Students must satisfactorily complete at least 60 hours of college-level credits. At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for graduation must be earned at St. Petersburg College. Students who have left the College must be eligible to return for transfer credits to be accepted to meet graduation requirements. All other specific degree requirements must also be met. Credit awarded for college preparatory instruction (0000 designation courses) may not be counted toward fulfilling the total number of credits or the number of credits in residency, required for a degree.
   
   
   
   2. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, for all work at St. Petersburg College considered alone and for all work at the College and transfer credits combined. The quality point value of transfer work accepted by the College will be included in grade point average computations for all purposes including determination of achievement of the required 2.0 grade point average to be graduated from St. Petersburg College.
   
   
   
   3. Students must satisfactorily complete the general education requirements for the Associate in Arts degree including any assessment of educational outcomes that are required by the College.
   
   
   
   4. Students must satisfactorily complete the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), unless exempt.
      
      
   5. Students who achieve a score of 500 on the Verbal and/or Math portions of the SAT I, or a score of 21 on the Enhanced ACT in the Mathematics I or the English and/or a score of 22 on the Reading may be exempt from all or a portion of the CLAST.
      
      
   6. Students who complete appropriate coursework with a 2.5 GPA in each individual area where CLAST skills are taught (Reading, Writing, Computation, and Essay Skills shall be qualified for a CLAST exemption.
   
   
   
   7. Students have a 15-term period, beginning with the academic year of initial enrollment, in which to complete graduation requirements under the terms of the College catalog which was in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. However, students may opt to meet the program course requirements for any catalog year within the 15-term period based on advisement provided by the program director and/or the counselor/advisor. Students who have not graduated within this 15-term period will begin a new 15-term period upon their next enrollment following the expiration of their previous 15-term period.
   
   
   
   8. Students must submit a graduation application to the campus Admissions/Registration Office. Graduation application deadlines (usually the Friday of the 4th week of classes) will be published in the College catalog. Students must apply for graduation by the published deadline to be assured of final clearance for graduation, timely receipt of the diploma and participation in the graduation ceremonies. Late applications for graduation will be accepted until the last day of classes for the term in which the student wishes to graduate. However, students who apply late will not be listed in the graduation program and may not be able to order caps and gowns or participate in the graduation ceremonies.
   
   
   
3. The following general requirements for graduation from St. Petersburg College must be met by all students who are candidates for the Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree:
   
   
   1. Students must satisfactorily complete the general education requirements for the Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree including any assessment of educational outcomes that are required by the College. Students must satisfactorily complete 25 percent of the semester hours required for graduation at St. Petersburg College including at least 12 credit hours in the major.
   
   
   
   2. Students must satisfactorily complete the Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree End of Program Assessment.
   
   
   
   3. Students must achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, for all work at St. Petersburg College considered alone and for all work at the College and transfer credits combined. The quality point value of transfer work accepted by the College will be included in grade point average computations for all purposes including determination of achievement of the required 2.0 grade point average to be graduated from St. Petersburg College.
   
   
   
   4. Students have a 15-term period, beginning with the academic year of initial enrollment, in which to complete graduation requirements under the terms of the College catalog which was in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. However, students may opt to meet the program course requirements for any catalog year within the 15-term period based on advisement provided by the program director and/or the counselor/advisor. For students in limited enrollment programs, students must receive approval from the appropriate program director. For students enrolled in linkage programs, the 15-term period begins with their initial enrollment at their local college. Students who have not graduated within this 15-term period will begin a new 15-term period upon their next enrollment following the expiration of their previous 15-term period. In each of the selected admission A.S. degree programs, students have a 15-term period, beginning with the session of initial enrollment into the program, to complete the specialty courses required for the degree.
   
   
   
   5. Students must submit a graduation application to the campus Admissions/Registration Office. Graduation application deadlines (usually the Friday of the 4th week of classes) will be published in the College catalog. Students must apply for graduation by the published deadline to be assured of final clearance for graduation, timely receipt of the diploma and participation in the graduation ceremonies. Late applications for graduation will be accepted until the last day of classes for the term in which the student wishes to graduate. However, students who apply late will not be listed in the graduation program and may not be able to order caps and gowns or participate in the graduation ceremonies.
   
   
   
4. The following general requirements for completion must be met by all students who are candidates for College Credit Certificates or Applied Technology Diplomas:
   

   Candidates must achieve a 2.0 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale in all coursework applicable to either the College Credit Certificate or Applied Technology Diploma.

5. Graduation

   Graduation is not automatic. Each candidate for a degree or certificate must file an application for graduation by the deadline date published in the catalog as part of the College calendar to be assured of final clearance for graduation, timely receipt of the diploma or certificate and participation in the graduation ceremony.

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Last revised May 28, 2008
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