Requirements for the Associate Degree 

1. Units - Satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units of degree-applicable college lower division credit coursework (General Studies Patterns II and III degrees require all 60 units to be CSU transferable units).
2. Major/Area of Emphasis: Complete at least 18 semester (or 27 quarter) units of focused study in a Major or Area of Emphasis as listed in the College's catalog.
   Choose from these two options and complete the required courses for the major chosen (a minimum of 18 units).
   • Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) in a specific major. 
   • Associate in Arts (A.A.) in General Studies, with an area of emphasis.
3. Grades - Each course counted toward the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of “C” or better or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No-Pass” (Title 5 § 55062). Even though a grade of “P” is allowed, it is recommended that students complete all major coursework for a letter grade ("A," "B," or "C"). 
   • Note: Universities have limitations on the number of units that can be taken “pass/no pass” basis and therefore it is strongly recommended that students take all major coursework for a letter grade. Most universities also have limitations on the number of general education units that can be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
4. General Education: Complete the required specified subjects and units in Oxnard College's General Education (Areas 1-7) as defined in AP 4025 or an approved lower-division general education pattern used for transfer to the University of California or the California State University. 
   • If using the Cal-GETC as the general education pattern, all courses for Cal-GETC must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. 
   • Students with catalog rights can continue to use the California State University General Education (CSU GE) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). If using IGETC, all courses for IGETC must be completed with a C or better.
   • Students who have been awarded a bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited institution shall be deemed to have fulfilled the general education course requirements for the associate degree (AA/AS). For students with international degrees, see the International Degree section for information regarding the general education requirements needed.  
5. GPA - Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in degree-applicable college credit coursework. If a student accumulates units beyond those required for the degree that lower the student’s cumulative grade point average below 2.0, the District may compute the grade point average based solely on those courses used to satisfy the degree requirements, provided that the coursework used to compute the grade point average fulfills all major or area of emphasis and general education requirements.
6. Residency - Satisfactorily complete at least 12 semester units in residence within the college district. The Board may excuse the residence requirement to alleviate injustice or undue hardship.

References: AP 4025 Philosophy and Criteria for Associate Degree and General Education; last reviewed in April 2026. AP 4100 Graduation Requirements for Degrees, Certificates, and Proficiency Awards; last reviewed in May 2026.