Degrees & Certificates • Diplomas

Diplomas

Total Credit Hours 36-68

A diploma program is designed to prepare students for technical employment within a one- to two-year period. The total number of credit hours for the diploma must not exceed those required for a degree in the same program of study. A prescribed program of technical and general education courses is designed to prepare students for a specific job title. Diploma programs provide preparation for a specific occupation, credit toward an associate degree, and continued training opportunities for certificate program graduates. The diploma program contains general education courses emphasizing the skills identified in the SCANS (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) report that are critical to entry-level workforce success for persons prepared at the diploma level.

1. Diplomas will address appropriate general education competencies.
2. Diploma curricula will be approved through the KCTCS Curriculum process.
3. Diplomas will be applicable toward at least one associate degree. (Courses designated "Diploma Only" on the General Education list will not apply toward an Associate Degree)
4. General education 6-9 credit hour requirement for diplomas in areas 1-3 as follows:

Area 1

Writing/Accessing Information, Oral Communications, Humanities, or Heritage

3 credit hours

Area 2

Social Science, Behavioral Science, Natural/Applied Science, or Mathematics

3 credit hours

Area 3

Computer Literacy course or demonstrated competency

0-3 credit hours

Additional courses could be used for other areas in approved curricula for diplomas but may not meet general education transfer requirements.

The above are minimum general education requirements; additional hours may be required in specific program curricula.

Technical & Support 30 - 62 Credit Hours

The Technical and Support requirements must include a work experience component of 1-12 credit hours.

Computer literacy must be demonstrated either by competency exam or by successfully completing a computer literacy course as outlined in the program of study.