Mar 28, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
  
2025-2026 Catalog

General Information Concerning Academic Programs


Associate Degree Programs: P&HCC awards associate degrees in science and in applied science. Associate of Science (AS) degrees provide the first two years of instruction in major fields that prepare students for transfer to colleges and universities to complete baccalaureate degrees. Students are encouraged to investigate the requirements of the institution to which transfer is anticipated. Associate of Applied Science degrees (AAS) provide knowledge and skills leading to employment in specialized fields.

Certificate Programs:  Certificate programs (CERT) are less than two years in length with a major in an occupational area; career studies certificates (CSC) require less than a full year of study in an occupational area. Certificate programs differ from associate degree programs because they are presented at a different educational level and are developed in response to employment needs identified by local curriculum advisory committees. Several of these programs are offered on a part-time, day or night basis for students who are already employed.

Career Studies Certificate Programs: Many students seek post-secondary career programs of study that are less than the conventional one-or two-year programs. The Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program is a response to the needs of many adults within P&HCC’s service region and is intended to represent the minimum amount of college course work needed in these fields of study. Each of the program options is designed as a distinct “mini-curriculum” within a broader range of adult educational possibilities. Career Studies Certificates vary in length and normally amount to the minimum equivalent of one semester of full-time community college work and not more than the equivalent of a year (9-29) credits.

Admission Requirements: Unless special admission requirements are noted under program information, students must meet the general admission requirements established by the college. Students who are not college ready in English or mathematics may be required to complete appropriate developmental education courses.

Other Information: Students planning ahead for transfer curriculums will find it most helpful to have completed college preparatory curriculum courses in high school in areas such as English, mathematics (two units of algebra and one of plane geometry), laboratory science, social studies, and foreign language.

Transfer Information: Any student who plans to transfer should become familiar with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which the student is considering transfer and also consult the assigned academic advisor before planning a program of study. In order to prepare for junior class standing at a four-year college or university, the student must complete a program that is comparable in length and course content to the first two years of the program at the four-year institution.

Every institution has unique requirements, so the student should investigate the programs of each institution under consideration for transfer. Students should be particularly careful to select electives that correspond to requirements of the transfer institution.

Curriculum Requirements: Students must successfully complete all of the requirements (general education and program requirements) listed under the program information to be awarded the specified credential (associate degree, certificate, or career studies certificate) for that program.

Advising Sheet Suggested Schedules: Courses in advising sheets are displayed under the semester in which the courses are regularly offered. It is possible that a course shown on the schedule for a particular semester may not be offered due to low enrollment or other factors.

Awarding of Degrees and Credentials: Students intending to receive a degree, certificate, or career studies certificate should submit an “Application to Graduate” to the Registrar’s office. Degrees and credentials may be automatically awarded to students who successfully meet the requirements for a credential, award, or degree. An Award Opt-Out form is available in the Office of the Registrar for students who do not want the award assigned to their academic record.

Instruction Delivery Agreement:  The institution agrees that in cases where the institution cannot fully deliver the instruction for which a student has contracted, to provide a reasonable alternative for delivering the instruction or reasonable financial compensation for the education the student did not receive. This may include tuition assurance funds, surety bonds, irrevocable letter of credit, assistance with transfer, teach-out provisions or other practices deemed sufficient to protect consumers. 

Special Note for Out of State Online Students (non-Virginia) State Authorization and Student Complaint Process:

State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with an institution’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state.  Patrick & Henry Community College has been approved by Virginia to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of post-secondary distance education. For more details please visit the Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosures page on the P&HCC website.