Designed to clarify the function of the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, this report lists and explains criteria for the degree as a means of enhancing the potential of the AAS to serve as a national employment credential and as the curricular foundation for the occupational mission of the community, technical, and junior colleges. The…

Essays by four community college chief executive officers (i.e., Michael E. Crawford, Donald L. Newport, Mary M. Norman, and Donald G. Phelps) suggest ways in which community colleges can implement programs and practices that will improve the position of the associate degree and the community college in American higher education. (DMM)

Designed to generate discussion among community college faculty and administrators in Illinois, this report provides an examination of the associate degree as it has evolved in Illinois public community colleges, along with recommended guidelines and alternatives for further development. First, the report reviews the current context of educational…

The Course Sequencing Pathways Computer Support System was developed at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) to aid students and advisors in selecting appropriate courses based on test scores, MDCC graduation requirements, the university of choice (if applicable), and the student's major. A student report, which is calculated on-line, is available…

Though Columbus State Community College (CSCC) offers a full range of courses in child development, these courses are not always suitable for or accessible to persons who wish to obtain certification as Child Development Associates (CDA's). To meet these educational needs, CSCC developed the Competency-Based CDA Outreach Training Program. The…

Lane Community College's Computer Assisted Advising Tool (CAAT) is used by counselors to assist students in developing a plan for the completion of a degree or certificate. CAAT was designed to facilitate student advisement from matriculation to graduation by comparing degree requirements with the courses completed by students. Three major sources…

Designed to assist California community college personnel in implementing 1986 regulations concerning associate degree requirements, this paper analyzes the key terms in the new policy, "college level" and "critical thinking," and discusses practical implications for assessment, curriculum, and instruction. First, the paper…

This examination of the associate degree and its role within community college education in the United States begins with a historical perspective on the evolution of the associate degree since the beginning of the 20th century. Chapter II reviews the literature concerning the diversity of the associate degree and the ways in which it is perceived…

The success of critical thinking courses poses a significant threat to the conception and status of the humanities. In an effort to remediate deficiencies in the writing and reading skills of students attempting to undertake college-level work, courses have been developed which aim to improve the cognitive skills needed for effective…

Designed to encourage dialogue and inform decision making about the associate degree, this book presents perspectives on the role of the associate degree in the nation's two-year colleges. First, "Toward a Greater Degree: A Plan of Action," by Dale Parnell, suggests a plan for preserving and enhancing the value of the education being…

In the late 1970s, it became clear to a group of Kirkwood Community College (KCC) faculty and administrators that fewer and fewer students were taking humanities courses, that students' selection of courses was usually imbalanced, and that most had little idea of what the term "humanities" embraced. With a grant from the National…

Examines recent trends in academic library staffing patterns. Describes a study conducted to investigate the current state of library/media technical assistant programs. Analyzes the program brochures and degree requirements of 48 two-year colleges. Discusses survey responses from 18 colleges related to program enrollment, graduate follow-up, and…

The policy statements contained in this document present the position of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC) on the Associate Degree, the Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS), and the Associate Degree in Nursing. In its statement on the Associate Degree, the AACJC: (1) stresses the responsibility of faculty and…

In response to a perceived need to increase the number of students completing associate degree programs and enhance the offering of associate degree programs, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education developed a policy on associate degree programs offered at public institutions. Specifically, the policy is designed to clarify degree…

This paper discusses the role of general education in the community colleges in the United States and presents recommendations for changes to improve the quality of education in the community colleges. First, the paper notes the lack of stature, relevance, and institutional support for general education in the community colleges and argues that if…