General Information

Degrees & Certificates | Academic Residency Requirements | Catalog Lifespan | DegreeWorks Web Audit | Transcript Evaluation Requests | Program Completion Application Processes & Deadlines | Graduation Ceremony | Academic Honors

Welcome to Clark College! We are pleased you have chosen to begin your college education with us. Our goal is to assist you in making the most of your educational experience and to guide you towards completion of your chosen program.

Clark College awards four (4) degrees: the Associate in Applied Technology degree, Associate in Arts degree, for completion of a program of study for transfer to a senior institution; the Associate in Science degree, for completion of a program of study in the sciences in preparation for transfer to a senior institution; and the Associate in Applied Science degree, for completion of a program of study in an occupational program. Each degree requires ninety (90) credits and a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Certificates of Proficiency are awarded upon completion of a minimum of forty-five (45) credits of specialized occupational training, including general education requirements. Certificates of Achievement are granted upon completion of a program of specialized occupational training of less than forty-five (45) credits. Individual departments offer Skills Awards with varying credit requirements.

Astudent may earn a degree in more than one (1) curricular program at Clark College. To qualify for an additional degree, a student must complete all requirements for the first degree and complete all specific program requirements for the additional degree.

In an effort to accommodate our mobile student population, Clark College has adopted a residency policy that recognizes the value of coursework completed from other institutions of higher learning.
To obtain a degree or certificate from Clark College, students are required to earn a minimum number of credits in residence at our institution. Clark College does allow students to transfer credits towards meeting degree or certificate program requirements. There is no restriction on the number of transfer credits allowed, however students must meet the minimum in-residence credit at Clark College for their specific program.
Refer to the chart below for specific requirements and restrictions for each type of program.

Associate Degree

1. Thirty credits, completed within the last 45 credits of study, must be earned at Clark College.
2. A maximum of 15 applicable credits earned at a transfer institution, completed during the last 45 credits of study, may apply to the degree program.

Certificate of Proficiency

1. Fifteen credits minimum must be completed at Clark College.
2. A maximum of 15 applicable credits earned at a transfer institution, completed during the last 45 credits of study, may apply to the degree program.

Certificate of Achievement

1. Ten credits minimum must be completed at Clark College.
2. The 10 credits must be completed in the final quarter of enrollment at Clark College.

Students may complete their degree under the requirements set forth in any catalog issued during their attendance at Clark College. However, no catalog will be valid for more than seven (7) years. Any student not in attendance at Clark College for two (2) or more calendar years is required to complete the program requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their re-entry to the college.

The Credential Evaluations Office has implemented an automated degree audit program called DegreeWorks. The software provides students who are enrolled in degree or certificate programs the ability to view an unofficial evaluation of credits earned at Clark College.

Transfer coursework from other regionally accredited instituions is also available if the student sent official transcripts during the admissions process.

To access the system, students need:

• Internet Access
• Student Identification Number (SID)
• Global Identification Number (GIN)

This system is a helpful tool in planning an educational program at Clark College. However, students should still meet with an advisor once a quarter to discuss their progress.
The link to the login page can be found from the Clark College homepage, www.clark.edu, under On-Line Services.

Application Process: A student who has earned fifteen (15) credits at Clark College and is currently enrolled may request an official transcript evaluation by submitting the request form, available in Gaiser Hall, to the Credential Evaluations Office. Official copies of transfer coursework must be on file with the Admissions Office before this process can be completed.

Students who do not meet these criteria have the option of meeting with a General Advisor in Gaiser Hall for an unofficial evaluation of their credits. Students transferring from another institution should take copies of their transcripts with them to assist in the evaluation process.

Students are encouraged to apply for an official evaluation when they are approximately halfway through their program. The evaluation process takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks to complete. Students will receive the results of their evaluation by mail.

Application Process/Deadline Dates
Students must submit an application for completion. Degrees and Certificates are not automatically awarded. Degree application must be made no later than the tenth day of the quarter of expected degree completion. Specific dates are published in the quarterly class schedules.

Applications received after the deadline will automatically be processed for the following quarter, unless a petition of exception is approved. All degrees and certificates are sent by mail approximately four (4) weeks following the end of the application quarter.

Late Applications
Students who miss the application deadline may petition for late acceptance. The petition should be submitted with the graduation application. The form is available in the Credential Evaluations Office in Gaiser Hall.

Participation in Commencement Ceremonies
The June commencement is a ceremony for those students who have completed or plan to complete their degree or certificate during fall, winter or spring of the current school year, or the summer quarter immediately following. Participation is not required. Candidates must file their graduation application and cap and gown order by the appropriate deadline to be eligible. Ceremony participation does not guarantee degree completion.

Caps & Gowns
It is the responsibility of the student to submit a Cap and Gown Order form to the Credential Evaluations Office. The form is available on the table outside of the Admissions/ Registration Office in Gaiser Hall. Only students who submit a Cap and Gown Order form and a graduation application will be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony. The deadline for application is April 1. Students who have submitted their application will receive detailed information in mid-May regarding the process for ceremony participation and cap and gown disbursement.

To be eligible for academic honors, students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.40. Honors for the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science— Transfer degree are based on the cumulative college level GPA, while the Associate in Applied Science and Certificate of Proficiency are based on the cumulative GPA. Students in the Associate degree programs will earn the designation of “With Honors” for a GPAof 3.40 to 3.89, and the designation of “With Highest Honors” for a GPA of 3.90 or higher. Certificates of Proficiency will be granted the designation of “With Merit” for a GPA of 3.40 or higher. (Certificates of Achievement are not eligible for honors designations.) Those students participating in June ceremonies will receive recognition at the celebration based on the cumulative GPA on record at the end of winter quarter. If honor status changes once final grades are processed, adjustments will be made to the student record.