Jul 24, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science Degrees


Degree Overview

The Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees are designed for students seeking training in business, health, technical, industrial, or public service fields.  FGC offers approximately twenty (20) A.S. and A.A.S. degrees that prepare students for exciting careers in North Central Florida and beyond.  

Students interested in the A.S. and A.A.S. degrees are required to meet all general admission requirements and any special program admission requirements.  Students should also achieve acceptable scores on any required college placement examinations.  

Students should check with an advisor to determine which courses, if any, may transfer.  

Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to apply to an A.S. or A.A.S. program should visit the Admissions  section of this catalog for information about general college admissions.  Certain associate in science programs are designated as limited access.  However, a student is cautioned that acceptance into selective college programs is done officially by the specific instructional department and not the admissions office. 

Students must complete a general admission application to the College and may also be required to submit a supplemental application to the instructional program.  

The A.S. degree and A.A.S. degree students are required to complete a placement exam, if not exempt by State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315.  Students who do not achieve minimum scores will be required to take developmental education classes in reading, writing, and math as well as SLS 1105 - Strategies for College Success .  Developmental education classes will not count toward completion of an academic degree.

Many of the A.S. and A.A.S. degree programs have limited or special admissions requirements.  A student should not assume guaranteed admittance because they have completed recommended or required prerequisites.  

Students are strongly encouraged to contact the instructional department concerning the guidelines and requirements for full acceptance into the A.S. or A.A.S. degree program.

Students will be officially notified, in writing, of their acceptance into a particular program. 

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with an A.S. or A.A.S. degree from FGC, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete the program requirements as outlined in the program section of the catalog;
  • Complete at least 15 credit hours of general education core course requirements as part of the A.S. or A.A.S. programs;
  • Complete the College’s Gordon Rule writing and math courses with a grade of C or higher as part of the general education requirements;
  • Demonstrate competence in computer literacy;
  • Complete the civic literacy requirement
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;
  • Complete the college residency requirement, which is a minimum of 25 percent of credits of the program at Florida Gateway College, before graduation;
  • Fulfill all financial obligations to the College.  

About the Graduation Requirements

General Education Core Course Requirements

In accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.0303, A.S. and A.A.S. students entering a Florida College System institution in the Fall 2022 term or thereafter must complete at least one core course from each of the general education subject areas for a total of 15 credit hours prior to the award of an A.S. or A.A.S. degree.  For additional information, please visit the General Education  section of this catalog.  

Gordon Rule Courses

To graduate with an A.S. or A.A.S. degree, students must complete all “Gordon Rule” writing and mathematics courses with a grade of C or higher as part of the general education requirements.  For additional information, please visit the General Education  section of this catalog.  

Competence in Computer Literacy

Associate degree-seeking students are required to demonstrate computer competency by completing the computer competency course within Canvas.  Alternatively, students can fulfill this requirement by earning a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses:

Students are strongly encouraged to complete computer competency during the first semester of enrollment and before registering for the second semester.

Civic Literacy Requirement

Prior to the award of an A.S. or A.A.S. degree, students initially entering a Florida College System (FCS) institution in the Fall 2022 term and thereafter must meet civic literacy requirements as outlined by State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.02413.  For additional information, please visit the State Requirements for Degree Programs  section of the catalog.  

Student Guarantee Program

Any A.S. graduate, who is judged by his/her employer to be lacking in the technical job skills identified in the exit competencies for his/her specific degree program will be provided up to twelve (12) tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training, under the conditions of the guarantee policy.

Special Conditions:

  • The graduate must have earned the A.S. degree, beginning 1999 or thereafter, in an occupational program identified in the College catalog.
  • The graduate must have completed the A.S. degree at FGC (with a majority of the credits being earned at FGC) and must have completed the degree within a four-year time span.
  • Graduates must be employed full time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration.
  • Employment related to the degree area must commence within twelve (12) months of graduation.
  • The employer must certify, in writing, that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by FGC as the employee’s program competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within ninety (90) days of the graduate’s initial employment.
  • The employer, graduate, faculty, and director/dean are to develop a written education plan for retraining. The plan is to be approved by the appropriate Vice President.
  • Retraining will be limited to twelve (12) credit hours related to the identified skill deficiency and those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the retraining plan.
  • All retraining must be completed within eighteen months from the time the educational plan is agreed upon.
  • The graduate and/or employer is responsible for cost of books, insurance, and uniforms.
  • The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.
  • If the student has passed a national or state licensing exam (i.e.: NCLEX; Microsoft certification) the College has no obligation to retrain.
  • The student’s sole remedy against FGC and its employees for skill deficiencies shall be limited to twelve (12) credit hours of tuition-free education (fees included) under conditions described above.

Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science Programs

Associate in Science

Associate in Applied Science