Two-year degrees at junior colleges typically include general education credits in communications, math, laboratory sciences, social studies and arts and humanities. Students working toward associate of arts or associate of science (AA or AS) degrees take classes that will transfer to university programs, such as college composition and algebra. Associate of general studies or associate of applied science degree (AGS or AAS) seekers are not expected to transfer, so programs may allow classes like technical writing and applied math instead.
Certificate programs focus on a particular industry such as accounting, auto mechanics, computer programming, paralegal or business management. Such programs typically take one semester or one year to complete and do not include general education courses.
Before being granted admission to a junior college, students take a placement test assessing basic skills such as writing, reading and math. Based upon those scores, schools may require students to take preparatory classes before they can sign up for those required in their program of study. Students must pass preparatory courses with a grade of C or better in order to take the next class in the sequence. The college may limit the number of credits students take before completing all required preparatory coursework.
Colleges expect students to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average (on a 4-point scale). When the cumulative GPA first falls below this level, the college administers a warning. If the GPA does not satisfactorily improve, administration places the student on academic probation, which typically limits the number of credits and types of courses students may enroll in. As a last resort, administration suspends students who fail to raise the GPA. Suspended students may not register for classes for at least one semester.
Most colleges have policies addressing academic dishonesty, especially plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when students use information from outside sources without giving proper credit. Policies warn that students guilty of academic dishonesty such as plagiarism, cheating or other types of academic dishonesty may receive no credit for an assignment, a failing grade for the course, disciplinary probation from the college or even expulsion. The severity of the consequence depends upon a number of factors including the course policy and the extent of the infraction.