Degree Options

Types of Degrees

Bachelor's Degree

Santa Fe College offers two types of bachelor's degrees, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.), which require the completion of at least 120 credit hours of coursework, including 36 hours of general education courses and 30 hours of upper division courses. In addition, the bachelor’s degree requires competency in a foreign language, completion of the State of Florida Civic Literacy requirement, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all courses attempted, and completion of at least 25% of all upper division credit hours at SF. The bachelor's degree usually requires two years for completion beyond the A.A. or A.S. degree.

Associate in Arts

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is the basic university transfer degree and the equivalent of the first two years of a bachelor's degree. Every A.A. graduate from the Florida College System will be granted admission to a Florida university under Florida Statute 1007.23. However, admission to a specific university or upper division program is not guaranteed. The A.A. degree requires 60 credit hours of coursework (including 36 hours of general education courses), competency in a foreign language, completion of the State of Florida Civic Literacy requirement, mastery of college-level competencies in communication and computation, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all courses attempted, and completion of at least 25% of all A.A. credit hours at SF.

Associate in Science

An Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is a career education degree designed to prepare students for entry into the workforce. Some A.S. degrees transfer into specific upper division programs. The A.S. degree requires 60 credit hours of coursework (including 15 hours of general education courses), completion of the State of Florida Civic Literacy requirement, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all courses attempted, and completion of at least 25% of all A.S. credit hours at SF.

Associate in Applied Science

An Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is a two-year, career education degree designed to prepare students for entry into the workforce. The A.A.S. degree requires 60 credit hours of coursework (including 15 hours of general education courses), completion of the State of Florida Civic Literacy requirement, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all courses attempted, and completion of at least 25% of all A.A.S. credit hours at SF.

Types of Certificates

Certificate programs consist of postsecondary career education courses designed to prepare students for entry into employment. The certificate does not require 60 credit hours of college coursework. However, students must meet specific basic skills requirements in English, mathematics and writing. Certificates typically take six months to two years to complete, depending on the program. There are different kinds of certificates:

Advanced Technical Certificates (A.T.C.)

The A.T.C. is generally designed for individuals who have already completed a two year A.S. or A.A.S. degree and are seeking advanced, specialized preparation in a particular career to supplement their degree.

Applied Technology Diploma (A.T.D.)

The A.T.D. is awarded to students who successfully complete a program that is part of an Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree but is less than 60 credit hours and leads to employment in a specific occupation.

College Credit Certificates (C.C.C.)

The C.C.C. is a short-term career education program. The credits earned for the C.C.C. are stackable, meaning they can be built upon to earn an A.S. or A.A.S. degree.

Career and Technical Certificate (C.T.C.)

The C.T.C. is a short-term program that prepares students for a job. The student will receive a vocational certificate upon completion of instruction. This type of certificate does not include Continuing Workforce Education courses.

Non-Degree Options

Adult Education

Santa Fe College offers Adult Education courses to help students prepare for G.E.D. testing and college coursework. These courses do not apply toward a degree but can be beneficial in preparing students for degree or certificate level courses. SF offers the official G.E.D. practice test and Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses in reading, language and mathematics.

Community Education

Community Education classes are open to anyone in Santa Fe College’s service district covering Alachua and Bradford Counties. Community Education classes do not require students to apply to the college and fees are based on individual classes, not college tuition. New classes are offered fall, winter, spring and summer.

Continuing Education

Santa Fe College Continuing Education offers professional development opportunities through a wide variety of classroom and online courses that can enhance your skills, your life and your career. These courses are meant to help students build upon skills they already have, or learn new skills, to help them advance in their current career. These courses do not apply toward SF degrees or certificates.