Okaloosa-Walton Community College offers two types of degree programs and several certificate options, as well as adult education, high school equivalency instruction, and non-credit continuing education. A program of study may also be custom developed to meet the needs of an individual student. Many of the program options are designed to provide educational ladders for students who wish to alternate their college studies with employment or to work while attending college.

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A. Degree)

The A.A. Degree represents the first two years of the four-year bachelor's degree and is generally referred to as the two-year transfer degree. Completion of the A.A. Degree, which consists of 36 general education credits and 24 college credit electives, prepares the student to continue studies at the university level. Although the number of credits and specific courses required for a bachelor's degree may vary across upper-division schools, the Florida community colleges and universities enjoy an articulation agreement which guarantees certain transfer rights for students who complete the A.A. Degree. See the "Student Bill of Rights" and the A.A. Degree requirements later in this section.

Associate of Science Degree (A.S. Degree) ¹

The A.S. Degree provides the student with college credit curricula not generally intended for transfer to upper-division, but rather to prepare the student for immediate employment. OWCC offers a number of A.S. Degree programs in various semi-professional, technical, and managerial fields. The programs include a minimum of 60 college credit hours, of which at least 18 are general education courses. Students may earn multiple A.S. Degrees with the specific program reflected on their diploma and college transcript. See the specific A.S. Degree program requirements later in this section.

Certificate Vocational Education Programs¹

OWCC offers a variety of short-term programs referred to as certificates. All are designed to provide students will the skills necessary for entry into employment. A College Credit (Technical) Certificate is awarded for the completion of a program of instruction of fewer than 60 credits of college-level courses, which are a part of any A.S. Degree program offered in the State of Florida. Many technical certificates represent all or part of the non-general education requirements for a specific A.S. Degree and can serve as the first step toward completion of that degree. An Advanced Technical Certificate is awarded for a program of instruction of between 9 and 45 credits beyond the A.S. Degree; the advanced certificate may be issued for completion of a specialized area of instruction which supplements the A.S. Degree. A Vocational Certificate is awarded for the completion of the vocational credits prescribed in a planned program of study in a specific professional, technical, or career area. Normally, a vocational certificate is a short-term program designed to be completed in less than a year.

Adult General Education¹

OWCC offers a comprehensive program of non-credit instruction designed to improve the employability and life skills of adult students. Courses are offered in literacy, adult basic education, English-as-a-Second-Language, GED preparation, basic skills review, and vocational preparatory skills.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Non-credit continuing education courses provide an opportunity to increase occupational efficiency, to enhance leisure time, or to pursue personal development goals. Typical subjects range from computer skills, interpersonal relations, marketing, insurance, and supervision, to painting, gardening, cooking, and exercise. Instruction is offered through a variety of programs, including PRIME TIME (Positive Retirement through Imaginative Education) and the Institute for Professional Development. Continuing Education Units (CEU's) may be earned upon completion of certain continuing education courses. CEU's allow individuals to accumulate, update, and transfer their records of professional development.

¹At catalog press time, the State of Florida was reviewing the nature and titles of those programs which comprise the Florida Workforce Development Education Program. Certain program definitions and requirements may be subject to change per the results of that review. Questions should be directed to the Office of the Vice President for Instruction or the Office of Technical Education and Workforce Development. vA.A. Degree Requirements