CCV offers students a choice of many different programs leading to the associate of arts (A.A.), associate of science (A.S.), and the associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degrees. Our most popular degree program is liberal studies, which allows students to take a broad array of courses in the liberal arts.
Most students who complete the associate degree in liberal studies intend to transfer to four-year bachelor’s degree programs at other colleges. Other students at CCV intend to continue in or enter the workforce after completing a two-year degree program in such areas as accounting, human services and computer systems management.
At CCV, students may enroll either full- or part-time in all degree programs, and the vast majority of our degree students attend part-time (or fewer than four courses per semester). Part-time students at CCV are eligible for financial aid counseling, academic advising, and all the same assistance in completing a program as full-time students.
Degree Programs
Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degrees
Early Childhood Education
Education
Graphic Design
Liberal Studies
Multimedia Communications
Visual Arts
Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees
Accounting
Administrative Management
Business
Computer Assisted Drafting & Design
Computer Systems Management
Criminal Justice
Emergency Management
Environmental Science
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degrees
Network Administration
The objectives and course requirements for all programs are described here .
Additional graduation requirements are listed in the Degree Completion Policy, available at www.ccv.edu.
General Education Program
General Education
The purpose of the general education program at CCV is to develop engaged, self-directed, and collaborative learners who demonstrate core competencies, recognize and apply strategies of inquiry, and embrace the challenge, complexity, and wonder of our interconnected world.
Core Competencies are fundamental to academic learning, and personal and professional development. Courses fulfilling the core competencies requirement introduce students to the framework of the four Vermont State College’s graduation standards and foster development of communication, information and technological literacy, quantitative reasoning, and writing skills. These skills are crucial for successful participation in public, private, and professional work and decision-making as well as further education.
Areas of Inquiry provide a variety of intellectual tools to understand the world and our place in it. CCV broadly defines these areas as the study of the natural world through the scientific method, the study of human expression through the arts and humanities, and the study of human behavior through history and the social sciences. Students can satisfy the areas of inquiry requirement by choosing from a wide variety of courses and learning to:
- understand vocabulary, theories and problem-solving methodologies that define scientific literacy and scientific method in the natural world;
- explore how human expression and creative processes are used within the arts and humanities to convey ideas, offer perspectives, and make meaning; and
- explain some of the ways in which social scientists and/or historians gather and interpret evidence to explain human behavior.
Integrative Approaches help us explore the complexity of the natural and social world over time and with respect to others. As relations between individuals, societies, and their environments become more complex, educated individuals need to draw upon a variety of perspectives in order to guide the direction of their lives, live as informed and involved community members, and act creatively. Students can satisfy the integrative approaches requirement through successful completion of CCV’s required interdisciplinary capstone course, Seminar in Educational Inquiry, and a choice of one course that promotes global awareness and an understanding of the human and natural processes that impact the future of individuals, societies and environments across the globe.
General Requirements for the Associate Degree
CCV’s associate degree requires a minimum of 60 college-level credits distributed among a program concentration and three areas of general education: core competencies, areas of inquiry, and integrative approaches.
Core Competencies (18 credits total)
First Semester Seminar (3 cr)
Technological Literacy (3 cr)
Communication (3 cr)
English Composition (3 cr)
Mathematics (3 cr)
Research & Writing Intensive (3 cr)
Areas of Inquiry (9 credits total)
Scientific Method (3 cr)
Human Expression (3 cr)
Human Behavior (3 cr)
Integrative Approaches (6 credits total)
Global Perspectives & Sustainability (3 cr)
Seminar in Educational Inquiry (3 cr)
Program Concentration Core (24 - 26 credits)
See specific concentration requirements here .
Elective Studies (0 - 9 credits)
This includes courses from program concentration areas or other areas of interest.
Residency Requirement
Students must successfully complete at least 15 credit hours of CCV-sponsored coursework.
Vermont State Colleges Graduation Standards
Students who complete a degree program at CCV–as well as anywhere within the Vermont State Colleges–are required to demonstrate proficiency in four specific skill areas: oral communication, quantitative reasoning, writing, and information literacy. Students who gain competence in these areas are better able to work effectively with others, live as informed and involved community members, and think critically in order to solve problems and make decisions.
Oral Communication
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- determine the nature and purpose of a presentation;
- prepare a well-organized presentation utilizing appropriate supporting evidence;
- communicate in a manner that engages and holds the attention of the audience; and
- use language and syntax appropriate for the audience and purpose.
Skills focused in:
Skills strengthened in:
- First Semester Seminar course
- Courses that integrate oral communication
- Seminar in Educational Inquiry
Graduation standard demonstrated by:
- Oral presentation component of Communication course
Quantitative Reasoning
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- select and perform appropriate procedures to solve mathematical problems arising in various disciplines;
- interpret quantitative information accurately;
- present quantitative information effectively; and
- evaluate the reasonableness of quantitative conclusions.
Skills focused in:
Skills strengthened in:
- Technological Literacy course
- Scientific Method course
- Human Behavior course
Graduation standard demonstrated by:
- Quantitative Reasoning Assessment
Writing
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- demonstrate in their written work an awareness of the relationships among writer, subject, audience, and purpose;
- focus written work around an explicit or an implied central thesis;
- develop this central thesis systematically using specific details and supporting evidence;
- organize subject matter of written work using appropriate sentence structure and paragraphing;
- use correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling; and
- follow standard practices in quotation, summary, paraphrase and citation of textual material.
Skills focused in:
- English Composition
- Research & Writing Intensive course
Skills strengthened in:
- Courses that integrate writing
- Seminar in Educational Inquiry
Graduation standard demonstrated by:
- final research paper requirement in Seminar in Educational Inquiry
Information Literacy
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- define a research topic and the information needed;
- collect and organize information, utilizing a variety of traditional and electronic resources;
- evaluate the information and its sources critically; and
- acknowledge and document the sources needed.
Skills focused in:
Skills strengthened in:
- Research & Writing Intensive course
- Courses that integrate information literacy
- Seminar in Educational Inquiry
Graduation standard demonstrated by:
- Final research paper requirement in Seminar in Educational Inquiry
From Start to Finish: A Typical Course Sequence
From the time you enter CCV until the moment of graduation, you will have both the opportunity and responsibility to develop and demonstrate academic skills, explore areas of study, choose a degree program, and select coursework that best meets your needs and interests. The following is a typical sequence that supports a student’s successful progression from entry to graduation.
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Skills Assessments, Advising, & Development
Proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing, arithmetic, and computing is critical to your success. Before you enroll at CCV, you will take basic skills assessments. Not only will the assessments guide you in the course selection process, but they will provide you with feedback on your readiness to undertake college-level courses. Working with an academic advisor, you can develop a plan that meets your personal goals and builds skills necessary for success. Many students find that they need some developmental work to be ready for college-level courses. |
Opportunities for Skill Development:
Introduction to College Studies
Introduction to Reading & Writing for College
Foundations of Reading & Writing
Basic Mathematics
Foundations of Computing
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First Semester Seminar
The First Semester Seminar course is an ideal choice for a first class at the college level. Two themes for this course are offered at CCV: Dimensions of Freedom and Dimensions of Work. |
Seminar Theme Choices:
Dimensions of Freedom
Dimensions of Work
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Basic Algebra
Many students find they have the reading, writing, arithmetic, and computing skills necessary to begin college-level work in the First Semester Seminar, but still require additional work in developing basic algebra skills. Basic Algebra is an ideal pre-college mathematics course to take with or immediately after the First Semester Seminar in preparation for other courses requiring college-level mathematics skills. |
Opportunities for Skill Development:
Basic Algebra
Self-Study
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Core Competencies & Introductory/ Exploratory Program Courses
Courses fulfilling the general education Core Competencies requirement for technological literacy, communication, writing and research, and mathematics, as well as an introductory course in the program(s) of interest to you, are ideal next choices in your academic program. Your advisor can help you choose from a variety of courses for the balance of interest, workload, and skill development that is best for you.
Your communication course will include an oral presentation, successful completion of which fulfills the first of four VSC graduation standards. |
General Education Core Competency Requirements:
Technological Literacy
Communication*
English Composition
Mathematics
Research & Writing Intensive
Example Introductory Program Courses:
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Criminal Justice
* Fulfills VSC graduation standard
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Areas of Inquiry & Core Program Courses
By this point you are into the middle part of your academic program at CCV. You will have the opportunity to focus on courses that complete your degree program concentration as well as choose from a wide variety of courses across three general education areas of inquiry: scientific method, human expression, and human behavior. |
General Education Areas of Inquiry:
Scientific Method
Human Expression
Human Behavior
Core Program Courses:
See here .
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Integrative Approaches & Capstone Program Experiences
You are getting close to graduation! At this point in your studies, you are ready to take on the challenge of more complex interdisciplinary courses, field experiences, and fulfillment of the graduation standards.
At any time following completion of a college-level mathematics course, you may register for CCV’s Quantitative Reasoning Assessment. Successful completion of this assessment fulfills the VSC graduation standard in quantitative reasoning.
When you take CCV’s Seminar in Educational Inquiry (SEI), you will develop and present a culminating thesis that integrates relevant source material. Successful completion of the final paper in SEI fulfills the final two VSC graduation standards in writing and information literacy. As you prepare to finish your degree at CCV, your advisor is also available to discuss opportunities for job placement and/or transfer to four-year programs. |
General Education Integrative Approaches:
Global Perspectives & Sustainability
Seminar in Educational Inquiry*
Quantitative Reasoning Assessment*
Example Program Experience:
Community & Work Experience
* Fulfills VSC graduation standard(s)
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