Academic Programs & Requirements

Mountain Empire Community College offers two-year associate degrees, one-year certificates, and short career studies certificates. The requirements for these awards for completion of curricula are determined by the College faculty and are intended to meet the requirements specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and certain specialized accrediting agencies.

Programs of Study

Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts Degree (AA) is awarded to students majoring in liberal arts who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. Visit www.mecc.edu/programs for detailed program information.

Associate of Science
The Associate of Science Degree (AS) is awarded to students majoring in business administration, education, engineering, general studies, science, or software engineering who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. Visit www.mecc.edu/programs for detailed program information.

Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is awarded to students majoring in one of the occupational-technical degree curricula who plan to obtain full-time employment upon graduation. Associate of Applied Science degrees (AAS) are not intended for transfer. Visit www.mecc.edu/programs for detailed program information.

Certificates
MECC’s Certificates are awarded for the completion of various curricula of study less than two years in length, totaling between 30 and 59 credits. At least 15 percent of the credits must be in general education. Most certificates prepare the student for a specific job or aspect of a job. Some certificates are part of an associate degree program, in which case the credit earned in the certificate may be used toward the degree. These curricula typically are not designed for transfer to a four-year college or university. However, in some limited cases, career courses may transfer, and there may be articulation arrangements with four-year colleges as part of a special program.

Career Studies Certificates
Career Studies Certificates are awarded for a specific group of career-related courses totaling between 9 and 29 credits. Career Studies Certificates are not intended for transfer. Career studies programs are designed for enhancement of job/life skills, retraining for career changes, and/or investigating new career possibilities. Credit earned in most career studies certificates may be used to meet the requirements in certificate and degree programs that require similar courses.