DIRECTORY - Southwest Virginia Community College

Freshman. A student is classified as a freshman until completion of 30 course credits
in a designated area.
Sophomore. A student is classified as a sophomore after completing 30 or more course
credits in a designated associate degree or diploma curriculum. Transferred credits are
included, providing they apply toward the requirements of the student’s curriculum.
CREDITS
A credit is equivalent to one collegiate semester hour credit or one and one-half of a
collegiate quarter hour credit. Usually, the student receives one credit for a course of
approximately three hours of study weekly as follows:
1. One hour of lecture plus an average of two hours of out-of-class study, or
2. Two hours of laboratory or shop study plus an average of one hour of out-of-class
study, or
3. Three hours of laboratory or shop study with no regular out-of-class assignments.
Variable credit (1-5 credits), variable hours, and behavioral objectives are assigned to
each developmental course (number 01-09). Also, variable credit (1-5 credits) is assigned
to all supervised study, seminar and project, and coordinated internship courses.
DEGREES, DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES
Southwest Virginia Community College offers the following degrees, diplomas and
certificates for students who successfully complete approved curricula at the College.
1. The Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree (AA & S) is awarded to the
graduating student majoring in liberal arts, business administration,
engineering, education, general studies, science and other pre-professional
programs and who may plan to transfer to a four-year college or university
after completion of the community college program.
2. The Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) is awarded to the graduating
student majoring in one of the occupational-technical curricula and who
plans to obtain full-time employment immediately upon graduation from
the College.
3. A Diploma or Certificate is awarded to the graduating student who completes
one of the approved non-degree curricula which are usually less than two
years in length.
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