Degrees and Certificate Types

HCC Degrees, Certificates & Letters of Recognition: Which is right for your pathway?

You can find areas of study that lead to an associate degree, certificate, or letter of recognition. Students may enter a program designed for transfer to a four-year institution or one that prepares for immediate entry to or advancement in a career. For assistance, contact the Office of Admissions and Advising.

Associate Degrees

• A.A. Degree (Associate of Arts) The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree recognizes mastery in the arts and sciences. A.A.S. Degree (Associate of Applied Science)
• The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is designed primarily to lead to immediate employment.
• A.A.T. Degree (Associate of Arts in Teaching) The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree is designed for transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification.
• A.S.E. Degree (Associate of Science in Engineering) The Associate of Science in Engineering (A.S.E.) degree is designed for transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

View all Associate Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

A certificate is awarded to full-time or part-time students who have concentrated study in a specialized subject matter area and have satisfied ALL of the following requirements:

• Completion of the approved curriculum in the college catalog Achievement of a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Completion of a minimum of 25% of the credit hours at Howard Community College.
• Recommendation of the faculty
• Approval by the Board of Trustees

View All Certificate Programs

Letters of Recognition

A letter of recognition is awarded to full-time or part-time students who have completed a designated group of courses totaling fewer than 12 credits. Letters of recognition are associated with certificates and degrees. For more information, please visit the appropriate academic division office. Students should submit applications for Letters of Recognition to the appropriate academic division office.

View All Letters of Recognition

Continuing Education Units, Certification & Licensure

Many of the noncredit programs in our Continuing Education (CE) division can be as career-enhancing as our credit programs. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and certificates are available for many CE courses. CEUs cannot be applied toward a degree program, but they can be useful in maintaining certification or licensure in certain careers. They may also be useful in documenting continuing professional education for an employer. Criteria for CEUs vary and are usually based on attendance or competencies or both. In addition, certificates of completion or certificates of attendance are available for many continuing education classes.