College Programs

Associate Degree Programs

P&HCC awards associate degrees in science and 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 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 (CERT) 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.

Computer Competency Requirement

P&HCC believes that all students should experience a teaching- learning environment that espouses computer and information literacy in accessing electronic resources and applying knowledge through technology. P&HCC endorses the principle of computer competency for all students intent on completing a curriculum in excess of 45 semester credits. Students may demonstrate their computer competence by successfully passing ITE 152  depending on program requirements, by passing a proficiency test, or by demonstration of program outcomes.

Entry Placement Requirement

Students who graduated from a U.S. high school or completed the GED or equivalent homeschool six or more years before enrolling at a VCCS college shall be placed into college level English and mathematics courses. After consultation with an advisor, students may request to enroll in co-requisite or pre-requisite developmental courses.

Students who graduated from a U.S. high school or the equivalent less than six years before enrolling at a VCCS college shall be placed into college level English and mathematics courses using the following means and measures:

• Any student who has earned an associate degree or higher or who has earned a C or better in college-level courses in math and/or English at a VCCS college or another institution will be considered ready for college level English and math courses provided they meet the prerequisites for the respective courses in their chosen program of study.
• Any student who has successfully completed all required developmental courses at a VCCS institution will be considered ready for college level English and math courses.
• Any student who has successfully completed all required developmental courses at a non-VCCS institution will have their coursework evaluated for entry into college level math and English courses.
• Any student who placed into or attempted a college-level math course, regardless of the grade earned, at another college may be placed into the equivalent VCCS math course.
• Student-reported high school GPA and highest math course will be used to determine readiness to enroll in college level English and math courses as shown in the tables below. High school seniors who have not yet graduated maybe evaluated as of the completion of the first semester of the senior year to determine readiness for placement into college-level courses.
• Official or unofficial GED, ACT and SAT score reports may be used to determine readiness to enroll in college level English and math courses as shown in the tables below.

Students who need developmental work to obtain the appropriate skills and competencies will be advised of the requirements and availability of the courses. It is extremely important students meet with an advisor prior to enrolling in any developmental course. Students who are required to take developmental courses must satisfactorily complete the developmental requirements prior to taking certain on-level courses.  A description of each developmental course is included under the course description section of the catalog. Students requiring developmental courses must enroll in the appropriate course in their first semester. Students requiring developmental courses may not enroll after classes begin.

International students should speak with an advisor prior to first enrollment to determine self-placement. 

Dual Enrollment students should speak with their high school’s career coach to determine placement into dual enrollment classes. 

Measures for Math Placement - Math placement will be determined using one of the following measures:

*Placement directly into MTH 162, Calculus, based on HSGPA and highest-level math courses taken or ACT/SAT scores will be at the discretion of each college.

Measures for English Placement - English placement will be determined using one of the following measures: