Apr 05, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Catalog

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degree


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Effective Fall 2025, El Camino College adopted a single General Education (GE) pattern for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.

The associate degree is granted upon completion of 60 degree-applicable units with a cumulative 2.0 GPA; in addition, courses taken for the major must have a C grade or higher in each course and courses taken for general education must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Complete requirements specified under Section A, B, and C.

SECTION A: GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS


A student has two options as specified in the college catalog to complete the General
Education Requirements:

  • Option I is required for students completing the El Camino College general education and major as outlined in the catalog. Complete the specified number of units in categories 1 through 7.
  • Option II: students may complete the Cal-GETC requirements. Please refer to the Cal-GETC section to view courses.

AREA 1: ENGLISH COMPOSITION, ORAL COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING


(two courses - 6 semester or 9 quarter units)

AREA 3: ARTS AND HUMANITIES


(one course - 3 semester or 4 quarter units)

AREA 4: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES


(minimum 3 semester units or 4 quarter units)

AREA 5: NATURAL SCIENCES


(one course - 3 semester or 4 quarter units)

AREA 7: HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION


(minimum 3 semester units or 4 quarter units)

SECTION B: MAJOR REQUIREMENTS


Courses taken for the major must have a C grade or higher.

Complete the set of courses specified after the heading, “El Camino College Major Requirements” in one major field section shown in the El Camino College catalog.

SECTION C: ELECTIVES


El Camino College Major: If requirements A and B do not total 60 units, then additional units from A and/or B or other degree applicable courses should be taken to bring the total up to 60 units. Electives are courses used to reach 60-degree applicable units. 

Catalog Rights: Students who have maintained continuous enrollment may choose to graduate under the catalog requirements in effect (a.) at the time enrollment began at El Camino College or (b.) in effect at the time of graduation from El Camino College. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment at El Camino College at least one semester (fall or spring), excluding summer and winter session, each academic year; courses must be noted on the transcript with a letter grade, a W, or a P/NP designation on the transcript; The catalog year used for major requirements must correspond to the general education pattern in effect for the same year.

Graduation: Students must file an intent to graduate using the petition form online through admissions by the deadline published in the schedule of classes. Students planning to graduate from ECC should have official transcripts from other colleges attended sent directly to the Admissions/Records Office and meet with an academic counselor at ECC to ensure all requirements have been met prior to filing for
graduation.


Evaluation of Degree Requirements: Students who intend to graduate from El Camino College with an associate degree will be evaluated according to the following conditions:

  1. Students who have maintained continuous enrollment may choose to graduate under the catalog requirements in effect a) at the time enrollment began at El Camino College or b) in effect at the time of graduation from El Camino College. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment at El Camino College at least one semester (fall or spring), excluding summer and winter session, each academic year; courses must be noted on the transcript with a letter grade, a W, or a P/NP designation on the transcript;
  2. Residency requirement - A minimum of 12-degree applicable units must be successfully completed at ECC;
  3. Unit requirement - 60-degree applicable units are required, to include general education, major requirements, and electives;
  4. General Education requirement - Coursework toward the degree must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in work at ECC and in work completed at all colleges;
  5. English requirement must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher; Mathematics requirement must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher;
  6. Major requirements must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses toward the major. Some majors require 50% completion of courses at ECC for the major.
  7. Coursework from other than ECC and is institutionally accredited (formerly regionally accredited), must be on file at ECC via student transcripts.
  8. Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally (formerly regionally accredited) accredited institution shall be deemed to have fulfilled the general education course requirements for the associate degree. (Title 5) Paralegal may be excluded from this exemption; see a counselor for details.

Foreign Coursework: Students who have completed coursework outside of the United States may be able to apply course credits to the associate degree. Students need to have the coursework evaluated by an approved evaluation agency first and then reviewed by an evaluator at El Camino College. Some courses may need departmental approval. See a counselor for approved evaluation agencies.

Associate Degree Majors: See catalog for list of majors

Total GE Units: 24


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