Wright College Degrees and Certificates Programs

    Wright College education programs lead to Associate Degrees of 60 to 64 semester credit hours and Certificates for programs of less than 60 hours. Six types of Associate Degrees are offered. They are the

Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Associate of Fine Arts(A.F.A.)
Associate in Science (A.S.)
Associate of Engineering Science(A.E.S.)
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)
Certificates & Programs

    The Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate of Engineering Science, Associate in Applied Science, and the Associate in General Studies Degree require that students maintain an average of C (2.00 GPA). All courses submitted for graduation must be numbered 101 or higher. Students transferring to Wright College from other four-year institutions must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence before they are eligible for an Associate Degree. In addition to the above requirements, the School Code of Illinois states that students planning to graduate from Wright College receive a passing grade on a special examination on the Constitution of the Unites States, the Code of the American Flag, and the Declaration of Independence. This requirement also can be met by successful completion of the Constitution examination for high school graduation. The result must be officially recorded on the transcript received by the College. Another alternative is to successfully complete the Political Science 201, History 111, or Social Science 102 courses offered at Wright College. Courses Courses that make up a program are generally of three types:

    1. Specialized Required Courses--To develop skill or knowledge directly related to a student's major or to a career field. 2. General Education--to provide a breadth of academic experience, to enhance understanding and appreciation of one's cultural heritage, to promote civic competence, and to improve personal ability and interests. 3. Electives--to permit free choice of courses so that a student may sample new academic areas or pursue special interests. Such courses should be additional courses in the student's major field of study.

    The course requirements for each program are generally the same when the program is offered at more than one of the City Colleges of Chicago. This makes it easier for the student to transfer from one of the colleges to another. There are some variations, however, in individual college requirements which the student should look for and discuss with the college counselor or advisor in planning his program. These variations include general education requirements, recommendations for electives, preparatory work needed prior to enrollment in a program, and opportunities for showing proficiency through tests and thus qualifying for higher level courses. In planning the educational program with a counselor or advisor, the suggested semester sequences of courses listed under the programs may have to be adjusted to the college class schedule or to the individual needs of the student. Occasionally a student may need to change from one program to another. Such changes should be made officially in consultation with a college counselor or advisor. Degrees and Certificates The Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.) The Associate in Arts Degree is intended primarily for students planning to transfer to receive a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university with a General Information major in areas such as Humanities, English, Literature, Psychology or Sociology. The A.A. Degree provides a broad education base in the Liberal Arts. The degree includes the 44-hour General Education Core of courses in Communications, Biological Sciences, Humanities, Natural Science, Social Sciences and Mathematics. In addition students select a major program from the above fields and complete a total of 62 hours. The Associate in Arts Degree consists of both general and special courses. Approximately two-thirds (44 semester hours) of the student's community college work is in the required General Education courses with an emphasis placed on Humanities and Social Sciences. These courses must be divided as prescribed among five general areas:


      1. Communications--9 credit hours
      2. Humanities--9-12 hours
      3. Mathematics--4-5 hours
      4. Natural Sciences--8-11 credit hours
      5. Social Sciences--9-12 hours

     

    The Associate in Fine Arts Degree (A.F.A.) The Associate in Fine Arts degree is designed to prepare the student to transfer with junior standing to a baccalaureate institution. Students may major in one of the following areas: Music Education, Music Performance, Art or Art Education. All majors are not offered at all Colleges. Students will complete General Education Core courses; required Music or Art courses; and courses required for Illinois Teachers Certification if applicable. Admission to the Associate in Fine Arts degree program is competitive, and students must meet program admission standards. Completion of the AFA degree does not guarantee admission to a baccalaureate program or upper division specialty Fine Arts courses. Students may be required to demonstrate skill level through auditions and placement testing at the institution to which they transfer. The City Colleges of Chicago will be offering the AFA degree program in the Fall 1997 pending approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Students are requested to consult with their academic advisor to discuss program admission requirements and course selection. The Associate in Science Degree (A.S.) The Associate in Science Degree is intended primarily for students planning to receive a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university with a major in science-related areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Engineering. The A.S. Degree provides a broad base in Science and Mathematics. The degree has a 47-hour General Education Core of courses in Communications, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and requires a total of 62-64 hours depending on the major. The Associate in Science Degree consists on both General Education and special courses. Approximately three-fourths (47 semester hours) of the students' community college work is in required General Education courses with an emphasis placed on the Natural Sciences and Mathematics. These courses must be divided as prescribed among five general areas:


      1. Communications--9 credit hours
      2. Humanities--9 credit hours
      3. Mathematics--5 credit hours
      4. Natural Sciences--15 credit hours
      5. Social Sciences--9 credit hours

     

    The Associate in Engineering Science Degree (A.E.S.) The Associate in Engineering Science degree program is designed to prepare the student to transfer with junior standing to a baccalaureate engineering program. Students will complete General Education Core courses; required Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences and Computer Science courses; as well as specialty courses in Engineering Science. Admission to the Associate in Engineering Science degree program is competitive, and students must meet program admission standards. The City Colleges of Chicago will be offering the AES degree program in the Fall 1996 pending approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Students are requested to consult with their academic advisor to discuss program admission requirements and course selection. The Associate of Engineering Science consists of both General Education and special courses. Approximately 80% (52 semester hours) of the students Community College work is in the required General Education and required specialized courses. General Education (15 hours)

    1. Communication 6 credit hours

    2. Social Sciences 3 credit hours

    3. Humanities 6 credit hours

    Required Core Courses (37 hours)

    1. Mathematics 18 credit hours

    2. Chemistry 8 credit hours

    3. Physics 8 credit hours

    4. Computer Information Systems 3 credit hours

     

    The Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) The Associate in Applied Science Degree is designed for students primarily interested in acquiring technical-occupational skills to enter the job market immediately upon graduation from Wright. The A.A.S. Degree also permits students to continue higher career preparation at four-year educational institutions offering programs compatible with their work at the community college. This degree requires 18 hours of credit from the General Education Core and a total of 60 to 75 hours depending on the program. The Associate in Applied Science Degree requires 18 hours of course credit which must be distributed among the five general education areas listed below in such a manner as to provide maximum contact with subject areas other than that in which a student is specializing :


      1. Communications--6 credit hours
      2. Consumer Education--3 credit hours
      3. Humanities--3 credit hours
      4. Natural Sciences--3-4 credit hours
      5. Social Sciences--3 credit hours

     

    The Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) The Associate in General Studies Degree is awarded to students who complete 60 semester hours of credit in general education and elective courses. This program is recommended for students who are undecided about a specific program. Students may pursue either Liberal Arts or Career Programs. The Associate in General Studies Degree is awarded to students who complete 60 semester hours of credit. Thirty hours must be selected from the following General Education areas:

    1. Communications--9 credit hours

    2. Mathematics and Natural Sciences--9 credit hours

    3. Humanities--6 credit hours

    4. Social Sciences--6 credit hours

     

    The remaining 30 hours can be selected from elective courses. This degree is not intended for transfer to a four-year institution. Certificates For more information about Certificate Programs, click here. A Certificate will be granted to students who successfully complete with a grade of `C' or better an approved program other than those recognized by degrees. Certificates are awarded in specific areas upon successful completion of clusters of courses designed to give the student a certain level of skill and/or knowledge. They are:

      Advanced Certificate (30-49 credit hours).
      Basic Certificate (29 or less credit hours).

     

    Credit earned in completing a Certificate may be applied to related Associate Degree programs. Students may, for example, take a number of courses in a field such as accounting or data processing and earn a Basic Certificate which helps them get jobs or improve their work in their present jobs. While working, students may continue their education part-time and add related courses to qualify for an Advanced Certificate which may help them find better jobs or be upgraded in their present ones. The Associate Degree not only helps improve job status but provides an opportunity for continuing college work in students' career area at four-year colleges and universities. Programs For more Occupational Programs at Wright, click here.