A certificate is awarded for successful completion of a specialized set of skills or program of study. Certificates range in length from 9-30 credits. Several certificates are intended to be portions of diplomas or degrees. Thus, a student completing certain certificates will have completed a skill set that is part of a series of skills that may be used to complete a diploma or associate degree.
A diploma is awarded for successful completion of a program intended to provide students with a series of employment skill sets beyond the certificate. A diploma ranges in length from 31-72 semester credits. One-third of the credits in a diploma must be earned at RCTC.
An Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is intended to prepare students for employment. Increasingly, however, AAS degrees articulate to Bachelor of Applied Science degrees (BAS) with transfer institutions. An Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is awarded for the successful completion of a program of 60-72 semester credits. At least 20 semester credits must be earned at RCTC.
An Associate of Science Degree (AS) is intended to prepare the student for employment in a designated field or area OR to prepare the student in a designated field or area which transfers to a baccalaureate major (bachelor’s degree or BS) in a related scientific or technical field. Increasingly the AS degree is intended to meet the first two years of requirements for a specific baccalaureate program (BS). At least 20 semester credits must be earned at RCTC. Associate of Science degrees articulate with four-year programs.
An Associate of Arts degree (AA) is intended to complete the first two years of a baccalaureate degrees (BA and/or BS). An Associate of Arts degree is awarded after the successful completion of a program of 60-64 semester credits. At least 20 semester credits must be earned at RCTC. An Associate of Arts degree includes the entire Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
An Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree is awarded for study in music or art at Rochester Community and Technical College . The AFA is awarded for successful completion of a program of 60-64 semester credits; at least 20 semester credits must be earned at RCTC. The degree contains part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and is articulated with at least one other baccalaureate-granting institution with a comparable music or art degree program.