Educational Opportunities

Degrees are awarded at the close of each semester. However, when a student completes all requirements for a degree, the completion date is recorded on the student's permanent record. The requirements for each degree are recommended by the faculty and approved by the president of the College.

Graduation Requirements for All Associates Degrees

Students are subject to the degree requirements that are in effect during the academic year in which they originally enroll, as well as subsequent applicable changes. Some state certification programs may require students to be subject to the most current requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to verify the appropriate degree requirements with a counselor or advisor and the Office of Student Records. Current degree information is also available at cod.edu/programs/degree_programs.aspx.

Each candidate for a degree shall:

  1. Complete the minimum required number of credits in courses numbered 1000 or above (or equivalent) as specified for each degree. The Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in General Studies, and Associate in Fine Arts-Music degrees require a minimum of 64 credit hours. The Associate in Engineering Science degree requires a minimum of 68 credit hours. The Associate in Fine Arts-Art degree requires a minimum of 61 credit hours.
  2. Possess a minimum 2.00 ("C") average in both College of DuPage coursework and the combined grade point average of all College of DuPage courses numbered 1000 and above and all courses accepted for transfer from other institutions.
  3. Complete a minimum of 20 applicable credits toward a degree at College of DuPage.
  4. File an Application for Degree or Certificate completion no sooner than one semester before the anticipated completion date. Run a degree audit online to check the progress towards a degree.
  5. Satisfy all financial obligations and other specific requirements.
  6. Be in good academic standing at the time final credits for the degree are earned.

Note: Students are subject to degree requirements as stated in the College of DuPage Catalog current at the time of original enrollment, as well as subsequent applicable changes, unless enrollment has been broken for more than three consecutive semesters, including summer semester. When enrollment has been broken for more than three consecutive semesters, the student is subject to degree requirements stated in the College of DuPage Catalog current at the time of re-enrollment.

The College reserves the right to award a degree or certificate to eligible students who have completed all requirements, regardless of application.

Certificate Requirements

Each candidate for a certificate shall:

  1. Possess a minimum of 2.00 ("C") average in both College of DuPage coursework and the combined grade point average of all College of DuPage courses numbered 1000 and above and all courses accepted for transfer from other institutions.
  2. Complete a minimum of one-half the applicable credits at College of DuPage.
  3. File an Application for Degree or Certificate no sooner than one semester before the anticipated completion date. Run a degree audit online to check the progress towards a certificate.
  4. Satisfy all financial obligations and other specific requirements.
  5. Be in good academic standing at the time final credit for the certificate is earned.

Note: Students are subject to certificate requirements as stated in the College of DuPage Catalog current at the time of original enrollment, as well as subsequent applicable changes, unless enrollment has been broken for more than three consecutive semesters, including summer semester. When enrollment has been broken for more than three consecutive semesters, the student is subject to certificate requirements stated in the College of DuPage Catalog current at the time of re-enrollment.

General Education

General Education refers to a broad body of knowledge and skills common to all educated people, regardless of their profession. A strong general education curriculum includes courses in communications, humanities and fine arts, mathematics, physical and life sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. In 2018, College of DuPage faculty ratified the following General Education Student Learning Outcomes for students enrolled in all associate degree programs.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

Students achieve the general education learning outcomes as a result of successful completion of the general education requirements for any degree program. Upon completion of a degree program:

Critical Thinking

Graduates can effectively identify and challenge assumptions, develop and assess viability of solutions, and provide a logically structured argument. They can make connections between subject areas and use interdisciplinary thinking to evaluate contemporary social issues.

Information Literacy

Graduates can explain the need for information, locate information effectively and efficiently, evaluate information and its sources critically, and use information effectively, ethically, and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

Communication

Expression and Exchange of Ideas

Graduates can formulate coherent, well-supported oral and written arguments that use language and rhetoric appropriate to the setting, purpose, and audience.

Physical and Life Sciences

Scientific Reasoning

Graduates can use generally accepted scientific means and procedures to analyze data, make inferences, and advance logical conclusions.

Mathematics

Quantitative Reasoning

Graduates can interpret mathematical models and identify their limitations, employ strategies to model and find solutions to problems, and use terminology to represent and communicate mathematical information.

Humanities and Fine Arts

Cultural and Historical Comprehension

Graduates can demonstrate an understanding of and critically evaluate diverse events, values, and ideas rooted in human experience and apply socially responsible and ethical reasoning to local and global concerns.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Human Behavior and Societal Knowledge

Graduates can recognize how social, political, historical, and economic institutions shape society and individual behaviors. They can apply methods of inquiry used by social and behavioral scientists and identify causes and variations of social diversity.

To meet these aims of general education, some flexibility exists for each student to select courses. The requirements for each associate degree determine specific choices in each category and comply with the Illinois Articulation Initiative Standards.

Curriculum Distribution Categories for General Education Requirements

Communication

Communication includes studies in English and Speech. These disciplines provide an educational framework within which students may develop their abilities to think independently and to express themselves clearly, effectively, and creatively. Instructors focus on the skills of communication and the contexts in which human expression occurs. Educational opportunities are provided that:

Humanities and Fine Arts

Humanities and Fine Arts include subject areas that address the meaning of being human. They provide the student with a basis for value judgment and a context for thoughtful action. The study of the humanities frees the student to think beyond personal and cultural limitations, to relate present experiences to human traditions, and to consider and choose constructive action in the present and for the future.

Courses in Humanities and Fine Arts are designed to:

The subject areas include Foreign Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, etc.), certain English and History courses, Humanities, Philosophies, Religious Studies, Art, Theater, and Music.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Social and Behavioral Sciences courses provide students with a broad perspective on human behavior, our cultural heritage, our relationships with others, our social institutions, and the environment. The subject areas include Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, and Sociology.

Physical and Life Sciences

Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science deal with natural laws and theories and their application to human needs. Universal phenomena are studied and analyzed. The Life Sciences (Biology, Botany, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Zoology) examine the components of the living world and their interactions with the physical and chemical world.

Mathematics

Mathematics provides the tools and skills to organize our thoughts and apply problem-solving techniques. The study of mathematics helps students understand the quantitative relationships found in business, technology, and the physical, natural, and social sciences.

Human Relations

The Human Relations category has been designed in accordance with the requirements of Illinois Public Act 87-581 to include coursework on improving human relations with an emphasis on issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and other concerns related to improving human relations. Courses also may focus on non-Western and American diversity.

Global/Multicultural Studies

The College of DuPage faculty has made an educational commitment to international/intercultural studies. The purpose of this category is to enhance student capacity to:

Contemporary Life Skills

Courses in this category are intended to help students use creative expression, problem solving, interpersonal communication, health and body, computers/technology, and personal development to function in a changing, technological, and complex society.

General Education Categories

For the Associate in Applied Science and Associate in General Studies degrees, general education and elective courses are organized under the following categories of general education. Electives for the A.A.S. degree vary, depending on the program. Check with a counselor or advisor for a list of electives.

Any course, 1000-level or higher, can be taken as an elective for the A.G.S. degree.

Communication

Course List
Code Title Credits
ENGLI 1101English Composition I3
ENGLI 1102English Composition II3
ENGLI 1105Workplace Writing3
SPEEC 1100Fundamentals of Speech Communication3
SPEEC 1120Small-Group Communication3
SPEEC 1150Introduction to Business Communication3

Physical/Life Sciences 1

Course selection must include at least one course with a laboratory component.

Mathematics

Select mathematics course(s) consistent with specific and general degree requirements. Includes PSYCH 2280 Statistics/Social & Behavioral Sciences and SOCIO 2205 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences .

Humanities/Fine Arts

Course List
Code Title Credits
ENGLI 1101English Composition I3
ENGLI 1102English Composition II3
ENGLI 1105Workplace Writing3
ENGLI 1110Technical Writing3
ENGLI 1115Digital Writing3
ENGLI 2100Writing Center Theory and Practice3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HISTO 1130History of the United States to 18653
HISTO 1140History of the United States Since 18653
HISTO 2210History and Culture of Africa3
HISTO 2215History and Culture of South Asia3
HISTO 2242African-American History3
HISTO 2260United States History Since 19453
Course List
Code Title Credits
MPTV 1135Introduction to Film Art3
MPTV 1145Film History3
MPTV 1154Film As Literature3
MPTV 2234Film Directors and Authorship3
MPTV 2235Film Genres3
MPTV 2236World Cinema3
MPTV 2237Documentary Cinema3
MPTV 2238Longform Television3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SPEEC 1110Oral Interpretation3
SPEEC 2210Readers' Theater (Group Performance of Literature)3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Course List
Code Title Credits
EDUCA 1100Introduction to Education3
EDUCA 1101School Procedure3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HISTO 1130History of the United States to 18653
HISTO 1140History of the United States Since 18653
HISTO 2210History and Culture of Africa3
HISTO 2215History and Culture of South Asia3
HISTO 2242African-American History3
HISTO 2260United States History Since 19453

Human Relations

Course List
Code Title Credits
ANTHR 1000Introduction to Anthropology3
ANTHR 1100Cultural Anthropology3
ANTHR 1105Practical Anthropology3
ANTHR 1130People and Cultures of the World3
Course List
Code Title Credits
COLLG 1105Career Development2
COLLG 1110Interpersonal Skills for Life and Work2
Course List
Code Title Credits
ENGLI 1160Native American Literature3
ENGLI 1161Multicultural Literatures of the U.S.3
ENGLI 1165Literature, Gender, and Sexualities3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HISTO 2200Middle East History Since 15003
HISTO 2237History of Terrorism3
HISTO 2242African-American History3
HISTO 2267Native American History3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HUMAN 1113Interpersonal Dynamics3
HUMAN 1121Cross-Cultural Communications3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PHILO 1110Ethics3
PHILO 1112Biomedical Ethics3
PHILO 1114Business Ethics3
PHILO 2010Ancient Philosophy3
PHILO 2011Early Modern Philosophy3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PSYCH 1150Adjustment3
PSYCH 2235Developmental Psychology: Adulthood3
PSYCH 2240Social Psychology3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SOCIO 1100Introduction to Sociology3
SOCIO 1120Sociology of Sex, Gender and Power3
SOCIO 2215Race and Racism in America3
SOCIO 2290Sociology of Communication & Media3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SPANI 1100Civilization and Culture of Spain3
SPANI 1110Latin American Culture & Civilization3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SPEEC 1120Small-Group Communication3
SPEEC 2200Intercultural Communication3

Global/Multicultural Studies

This list of courses is subject to change at the beginning of each fall semester. Check with the Counseling and Advising Center for an updated educational plan at cod.edu/counseling/student_planning.aspx.

Course List
Code Title Credits
ANTHR 1000Introduction to Anthropology3
ANTHR 1100Cultural Anthropology3
ANTHR 1105Practical Anthropology3
ANTHR 1110Business Anthropology3
ANTHR 1130People and Cultures of the World3
ANTHR 1400Race, Sex and Human Evolution3
Course List
Code Title Credits
ARABI 1101Elementary Arabic I4
ARABI 1102Elementary Arabic II4
Course List
Code Title Credits
ART 1100Introduction to Visual Art and Culture3
ART 2211Art Histories Before 1400 CE3
ART 2212Art Histories 1400 to 19503
ART 2213Art Histories Since 19503
ART 2214Non-Western Art3
Course List
Code Title Credits
CHINE 1100Civilization and Culture of China3
CHINE 1101Elementary Chinese I4
CHINE 1102Elementary Chinese II4
CHINE 2201Intermediate Chinese I4
CHINE 2202Intermediate Chinese II4
Course List
Code Title Credits
ENGLI 1160Native American Literature3
ENGLI 1161Multicultural Literatures of the U.S.3
ENGLI 2221British Literature From 1800 Through The Present3
ENGLI 2226World Literature3
ENGLI 2227Modern European Literature3
ENGLI 2262Non-Western Literature3
Course List
Code Title Credits
FRENC 1100Civilization and Culture of France3
FRENC 1101Elementary French I4
FRENC 1102Elementary French II4
FRENC 2201Intermediate French I4
FRENC 2202Intermediate French II4
FRENC 2251Conversation and Composition I3
FRENC 2252Conversation and Composition II3
Course List
Code Title Credits
GEOGR 1100Western World Geography3
GEOGR 1105Eastern World Geography3
GEOGR 1120Economic Geography3
GEOGR 2204Russia3
GEOGR 2235The Middle East3
Course List
Code Title Credits
GERMA 1100German Civilization and Culture3
GERMA 1101Elementary German I4
GERMA 1102Elementary German II4
GERMA 2201Intermediate German I4
GERMA 2202Intermediate German II4
GERMA 2251Conversation and Composition I3
GERMA 2252Conversation and Composition II3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HISTO 2200Middle East History Since 15003
HISTO 2205History of Asia3
HISTO 2210History and Culture of Africa3
HISTO 2215History and Culture of South Asia3
HISTO 2220History and Culture of China3
HISTO 2225History and Culture of Russia3
HISTO 2230History and Culture of Japan3
HISTO 223520th Century World History3
HISTO 2237History of Terrorism3
HISTO 2240History and Culture of Latin America3
HISTO 2242African-American History3
HISTO 2267Native American History3
Course List
Code Title Credits
ITALI 1100Civilization and Culture of Italy3
ITALI 1101Elementary Italian I4
ITALI 1102Elementary Italian II4
ITALI 2201Intermediate Italian I4
ITALI 2202Intermediate Italian II4
ITALI 2251Conversation and Composition I3
ITALI 2252Conversation and Composition II3
Course List
Code Title Credits
JAPAN 1100Japanese Civilization and Culture3
JAPAN 1101Elementary Japanese I4
JAPAN 1102Elementary Japanese II4
JAPAN 2201Intermediate Japanese I4
JAPAN 2202Intermediate Japanese II4
JAPAN 2251Conversation and Composition I3
JAPAN 2252Conversation and Composition II3
Course List
Code Title Credits
KOREA 1101Elementary Korean I4
KOREA 1102Elementary Korean II4
KOREA 2201Intermediate Korean I4
KOREA 2202Intermediate Korean II4
Course List
Code Title Credits
MUSIC 1104Introduction to American Music3
MUSIC 1115Introduction to World Music3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PHILO 1110Ethics3
PHILO 1116Environmental Ethics3
PHILO 1150World Religions3
Course List
Code Title Credits
POLS 2203Comparative Politics3
POLS 2220World Politics3
POLS 2221Politics of the Middle East3
Course List
Code Title Credits
RELIG 1100Introduction to Religion3
RELIG 1150World Religions3
RELIG 2155Asian Thought3
RELIG 2160Judaism, Christianity and Islam3
Course List
Code Title Credits
RUSSI 1101Elementary Russian I4
RUSSI 1102Elementary Russian II4
RUSSI 2201Intermediate Russian I4
RUSSI 2202Intermediate Russian II4
Course List
Code Title Credits
SOCIO 2210Social Problems3
SOCIO 2220Sexual Relationships, Marriage & Family3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SPANI 1100Civilization and Culture of Spain3
SPANI 1101Elementary Spanish I4
SPANI 1102Elementary Spanish II4
SPANI 1110Latin American Culture & Civilization3
SPANI 2201Intermediate Spanish I4
SPANI 2202Intermediate Spanish II4
SPANI 2251Conversation and Composition I3
SPANI 2252Conversation and Composition II3

Contemporary Life Skills

This list of courses is subject to change at the beginning of each fall semester. Check with the Counseling and Advising Center for an updated educational plan.

Course List
Code Title Credits
ACCOU 1110Accounting Procedures3
ACCOU 2140Financial Accounting4
Course List
Code Title Credits
ARCH 1100Introduction to Architecture3
ARCH 1121Architectural Design Communication4
Course List
Code Title Credits
ART 1101Drawing I3
ART 1105Introduction to Studio Art3
ART 1140Introduction to Ceramics3
ART 1151Two-Dimensional Foundations Studio3
Course List
Code Title Credits
AUTO 1040Automotive for Non-Majors3
AUTO 1110Engine Design and Operation3
Course List
Code Title Credits
CIT 1100IT Fundamentals3
CIT 1121Introduction to Networks3
Course List
Code Title Credits
COLLG 1105Career Development2
COLLG 1110Interpersonal Skills for Life and Work2
COLLG 1115College Success Skills2
Course List
Code Title Credits
CIS 1110Introduction to Informatics2
CIS 1120The Internet2
CIS 1130Windows Basics2
CIS 1150Understand Computers/Information/Systems3
CIS 1400Programming Logic and Technique4
Course List
Code Title Credits
CRIMJ 1100Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRIMJ 2150Multiculturalism and Diversity3
Course List
Code Title Credits
EDUCA 1100Introduction to Education3
EDUCA 2201Education for Exceptional Children3
Course List
Code Title Credits
ELMEC 1101Survey of Automation3
ELMEC 1120Residential Wiring3
ELMEC 1130Industrial Electricity3
Course List
Code Title Credits
ENGLI 2250Introduction to Creative Writing3
ENGLI 2251Fiction Writing3
ENGLI 2252Poetry Writing3
ENGLI 2253Creative Nonfiction Writing3
ENGLI 2261Writing for Publication3
Course List
Code Title Credits
FASHI 1200Beginning Clothing Construction3
FASHI 1201Clothing Construction I3
Course List
Code Title Credits
HUMAN 1113Interpersonal Dynamics3
HUMAN 1125Introduction to Addictions3
HUMAN 2240Family Education and Treatment Models3
Course List
Code Title Credits
MANUF 1180Quality Control3
MANUF 2280Industrial Safety2
Course List
Code Title Credits
MCOMM 1100Introduction to Mass Communication3
MCOMM 1105News Reporting & Writing for Multimedia3
Course List
Code Title Credits
MATH 1100Business Mathematics3
MATH 1220Quantitative Literacy3
Course List
Code Title Credits
MPTV 1011Introduction to Motion Picture and Television3
MPTV 1020Editing for Motion Pictures and Television3
MPTV 1220Introduction to Television Studio Production3
Course List
Code Title Credits
OFTI 1100Keyboarding and Document Fundamentals3
OFTI 1200Microsoft 365 for Business Professionals3
OFTI 1210Word Processing I3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PHYS 1800Special Project1-3
PHYS 1820Selected Topics0.5-3
PHYS 1840Independent Study1-4
PHYS 2244Lifeguard Training2
PHYS 2251Living With Health3
PHYS 2254First Aid and CPR3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PSYCH 1140Human Sexuality3
PSYCH 1150Adjustment3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SOCIO 1205Introduction to Data Science3
SOCIO 2200Introduction to Research Methods3
SOCIO 2290Sociology of Communication & Media3
Course List
Code Title Credits
SPEEC 1110Oral Interpretation3
SPEEC 1120Small-Group Communication3
SPEEC 1160Interpersonal Communication3
SPEEC 2210Readers' Theater (Group Performance of Literature)3
Course List
Code Title Credits
THEAT 1105Improvisational Acting3
THEAT 1111Acting I3
THEAT 2230Play Directing3

Electives

Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degrees

In addition to the courses specified as part of the General Education Core Curriculum, students may select electives from the following areas. Students may select electives from any discipline at the College. This may include up to 10 credit hours in career and technical courses selected from the areas below. Students are strongly advised to consult with a counselor or advisor and/or a transfer institution in selecting elective courses.

Course List
Code Title Credits
ACCOU 2140Financial Accounting4
ACCOU 2150Managerial Accounting4
ACCOU 2205Federal Taxation I3
ACCOU 2206Federal Taxation II3
ACCOU 2241Intermediate Accounting I4
ACCOU 2242Intermediate Accounting II4
ACCOU 2251Cost Accounting4
ACCOU 2870Internship (Transfer)1-4
Course List
Code Title Credits
BUSIN 1100Introduction to Business3
BUSIN 1800Special Project1-4
BUSIN 1840Independent Study1-3
BUSIN 2210Principles of Finance3
BUSIN 2255International Business3
BUSIN 2800Special Project1-4
BUSIN 2870Internship (Transfer)1-4
BUSIN 2871Internship - Advanced (Transfer)1-4
Course List
Code Title Credits
BUSLW 1840Independent Study1-4
BUSLW 2205Legal Environment of Business3
BUSLW 2211Business Law I3
BUSLW 2212Business Law II3
Course List
Code Title Credits
CRIMJ 1100Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRIMJ 1151Constitutional Law3
CRIMJ 1152Criminal Law3
CRIMJ 2030Probation and Parole3
CRIMJ 2150Multiculturalism and Diversity3
CRIMJ 2231Criminology3
CRIMJ 2240Juvenile Delinquency3
Course List
Code Title Credits
ECEC 1101Growth & Development of the Young Child3
ECEC 2870Internship (Transfer)1-4
Course List
Code Title Credits
MATH 1100Business Mathematics3
MATH 1102Mathematics for Health Sciences3
MATH 1104Mathematics for Horticulture3
MATH 1115Technical Mathematics I3
MATH 1116Technical Mathematics II5
Course List
Code Title Credits
MPTV 1111Film/Video Aesthetics3
MPTV 2022Screenwriting for Short Forms3
Course List
Code Title Credits
PHYSI 1800Special Project1-3
PHYSI 2800Special Project1-3

Reminders

  1. When a student breaks enrollment for more than three consecutive semesters, including summer semester, the student is subject to the degree requirements as stated in the College of DuPage Catalog that is current at the time of re-entry, subject to changes.
  2. Courses numbered below 1000 represent courses not usually found in the curriculum of a baccalaureate degree-granting institution and therefore may not transfer. They do not apply to any College of DuPage degree or certificate.
  3. Students are responsible for proper class registration each semester. Selecting courses relevant to future goal sand degree requirements is the responsibility of the student.
  4. Students should contact a counselor or advisor for advice regarding degree requirements, transfer requirements, and achievement of educational goals.
  5. All students intending to transfer are encouraged to plan their programs according to the requirements of the transfer institution.
  6. Degree and major requirements at baccalaureate degree-granting institutions may require more than two academic years of study after completion of an associate degree at College of DuPage.
  7. Some College of DuPage courses have been designed for two-year programs. Although they are considered college level, they may not meet the objectives of a bachelor's degree program and therefore may not be transferrable.

Eligibility for Awarding of a Second Degree

A student meeting specific qualifications may earn two or more different degrees from College of DuPage. Credits earned for degrees already completed may apply toward subsequent degrees. However, a minimum of 10 additional institutional credits must be earned at College of DuPage for each degree sought after the first degree is awarded.

Career Clusters at College of DuPage

College of DuPage participates in the national initiative of Career Clusters, intended to help states and educational institutions organize their programs and career exploration activities around theme/skill/knowledge-based continuity concerns. This allows students to explore like-kind occupational/vocational and career possibilities with a focus on opportunities. The 16-Cluster format used by the U.S. Department of Education encompasses all 970-plus occupations.

Using the Career Clusters, College of DuPage offers direction to students who may not yet know what they want to do but have an idea of their academic strengths and interests. It allows students, prospective and current, along with the community at-large to see the similarity between different fields. It also focuses on promoting the seamless transition of coursework between areas of study and progression from high school to College of DuPage, and through College of DuPage to a college or university.

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communication

Business Management and Administration

Education and Training

Finance

Government and Public Administration

Health Science