Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science Degrees+ and Certificate Programs

+ The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree currently is being reviewed at the state level with the possibility that it will no longer be available effective Fall 2012.

Career education programs at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) have been designed to prepare students for immediate employment in their chosen careers.

Students in a career program should follow the program outline with great care; otherwise, they may find themselves out of sequence and deficient in graduation requirements.

Graduates of these programs combine the advantages of a college education with specialized training that enables them to become technically competent for jobs in engineering industries, government, healthrelated services and business. Because of their special abilities, these students typically find positions with salaries comparable to four-year college graduates.

Complete programs designed to meet the needs of the society, as well as the interests of students, are offered on the following pages. Each program is designed specifically to provide the knowledge and skills fundamentally appropriate for application in one field of study. The student should choose wisely regarding interests, aptitudes, scholastic preparation and future career plans. Once the choice of a program is made, the student should follow the program carefully to avoid sequencing and scheduling problems. A program manager thoroughly familiar with that particular program will be assigned to the student for guidance. No substitution of courses can be made without approval of the program manager, department chair, dean or the appropriate administrator(s).

It is the intent of SCF to provide courses leading to the fulfillment of associate degrees and certificate programs in a timely manner. Such provision is accomplished by courses being offered at SCF campuses and at numerous off-campus sites throughout the two-county service district. It may be necessary for students to enroll in classes at more than one location for the total fulfillment of degree requirements.

Certificate Programs

One-year certificate programs are available in various disciplines for students needing training in specific skills areas. These programs are designed so that the student may continue toward an associate’s degree in the same field.

Certificates:

Advanced Technical Certificate Programs

Several Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) programs are offered. An ATC program is an extension of a specific Associate in Science (A.S.) and/or Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and is limited to students who have completed the related A.S. and/or A.A.S. degree. The ATC programs, which vary in length depending upon the specific area, offer customized training that will upgrade and add to those skills learned in the A.S. and/or A.A.S. degree program.

Advanced Technical Certificates:

Associate in Science Degree (A.S.) Academic Programs and Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Students earn a State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) A.S. degree in the following programs unless they elect to earn an A.A.S. degree (nontransferable) by completing the A.A.S. degree program’s minimum math requirement in place of the A.S. Gordon Rule level mathematics course requirement. Exceptions are noted. Admissions criteria have been established for all A.S. and A.A.S. degree programs. Please contact the appropriate program manager or department chair for details.

These programs have been designed for the student who may wish to enter employment at the end of two years. 

* Based on the provision of Rule 6A-10.024- Articulation between universities, community colleges, and school districts, and the career ladder agreements, this program is eligible to receive advanced placement credit toward a baccalaureate degree (B.S.) in designated university programs for students who choose to pursue the B.S., or equivalent, degree. Career opportunities still are available for students who choose to enter the workforce with an A.S. degree.

# This program is available as an SCF A.S. degree and is not designed to transfer to a B.S. degree program.

** This program is an articulated program between Manatee Technical Institute (MTI), Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI), SCF and USF - Sarasota/Manatee.

*** This program is an articulated program between MTI, SCTI and SCF.

**** SCF and its Health Professions programs reserve the right to make changes in the regulations, offerings, requirements and any provisions announced in this Catalog at any time as circumstances require.

+ This program is an articulated program between SCF and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).

Linkage Programs

The Linkage System is a cooperative agreement among four community/state colleges in the Tampa Bay Area — Hillsborough Community College (HCC), State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF), Polk State College (PSC) and St. Petersburg College (SPC).

The Linkage System offers students in the SCF district the opportunity to enter certain highly specialized career/technical programs which are offered only at other Linkage Colleges through a quota-based arrangement. Some courses appropriate to the respective programs may be taken at SCF, but students selected for admission to a Linkage Program will be required to conform to all program requirements and to institutional policies and procedures of the Linkage Colleges.

Students who wish to enter a Linkage Program must meet all program requirements, institutional policies and procedures of both SCF and the Linkage College. Linkage Colleges admit students once a year and only on the recommendation of the director.

The following institutions are the designated colleges to provide limited access Linkage Programs in the respective disciplines.

For information on limited access as well as other nonlimited access programs, contact the office of career and technical education, 941-363-7231.