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The Blinn College District offers Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Science degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and certificates in various fields. For additional information on degrees and certificates please visit: Admin-Procedure-Graduation. All associate degrees will be limited to sixty (60) credit hours unless a waiver has been granted by the THECB.
General requirements for all degrees and certificates
All candidates shall:
- Satisfy all admission requirements.
- Within five years of initial enrollment in credit courses, meet degree or certificate requirements as outlined in the catalog at the time of first admission or as outlined in any subsequent catalog issued prior to the date of graduation.
- Meet the degree or certificate requirements of the catalog under which the student is readmitted if his or her studies are interrupted for more than thirteen (13) consecutive months.
- Earn at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their academic hours in residence at Blinn College.
- Earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (Note: Grade requirements higher than 2.0 may be required for Health Sciences Programs.)
- Make a formal application for graduation. This can be done online for currently enrolled students in myBLINN at Blinn College - Portal Login. All others may apply for graduation at Reverse Transfer Graduation Application.
- Ensure all financial obligations to Blinn College are met.
- Ensure all holds have been removed.
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are meant to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a Baccalaureate degree. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees shall be awarded to students fulfilling the above general requirements as well as the following specific requirements.
All candidates shall:
- Earn at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program. Only academic (non-technical) courses are applicable.
- Earn at least nine (9) semester credit hours of sophomore-level courses.
- Transfer in (if applicable) no more than forty-five (45) college credit hours. Note: Students who transfer to another college without graduating and who otherwise meet the minimum number of hours in residence are encouraged to transfer hours back and graduate.
- Declare an area of degree concentration (major) appropriate for the degree sought. (See degree listings at: Degree and Certificate Programs.)
- Complete all three (3) areas (reading, math, and writing) of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).
Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Associate of Applied Science degrees are meant for students to obtain employment skills in technical fields. Associate of Applied Science degrees shall be awarded to students fulfilling the above general requirements as well as the following specific requirements.
All candidates shall:
- Earn at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program.
- Earn at least nine (9) semester credit hours of sophomore-level courses.
- Complete all three (3) areas (reading, math, and writing) of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).
As per the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE): To meet SACSCOC guidelines, each Associate of Applied Science degree must have a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of general education courses which must include at least three (3) semester credit hours from each of the following designated areas: Humanities / Fine Arts, Social / Behavioral Sciences, and Natural Sciences / Mathematics.
Certificates
Certificates provide the knowledge and technical skills necessary for entry-level employment or to enhance existing skills and knowledge within a specific career. Certificates shall be awarded to students fulfilling the above general requirements as well as completing any testing required for the certificate sought. Certificate Level 2 students must take the TSI Assessment 2.0 test. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until this requirement has been met. (Note: Certificate Level 2 students must complete all three (3) areas (reading, math, and writing) of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).)
Occupational Skills Awards
An Occupational Skills Award (OSA) is a sequence of courses that meet the minimum standard for program length specified by the Texas Workforce Commission for the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program (9-14 SCH for credit courses or 144-359 contact hours for workforce continuing education courses). An OSA must possess the following characteristics:
- The credential is TSI-waived under THECB Rule 4.54b;
- The content of the credential must be recommended by an external workforce advisory committee, or the occupation must appear on the Local Workforce Development Board’s Demand Occupations list;
- In most cases, the credential should be composed of WECM courses only. However, non-stratified academic courses may be used occasionally if recommended by the external committee and if appropriate for the content of the credential;
- The credential complies with the Single Course Delivery guidelines for WECM courses (see Chapter Four); and
- The credential prepares students for employment in accordance with guidelines established for WIOA.
Experiential Learning and Professional Certification
Blinn College awards credit to students for experiential learning and professional certifications only in the following six programs: Associate Degree Nursing, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, Information Technology, and Office Administration. Students may seek credit for experiential learning and professional certification by requesting approval from the appropriate director or program coordinator.
Transfer of Credit
The Blinn College District is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees and certificates of completion. Credits earned at the Blinn College District are transferable to other institutions in accordance with policies of the receiving institution. Transferability means the acceptance of credits toward the general education requirements at a Texas public college or university. The courses must consist entirely of those in the Core Curriculum, the courses outlined in an official Field of Study, and the additional elective courses identified by the receiving university as transferable and applicable toward a specific major and degree in its Transfer Guides. Limitations of total number of credits accepted in transfer, grades required, relevant grade point average, and duration of transferability apply as stated in the catalog of the receiving institution. Although the Blinn College District academic advisors can assist with general academic advising, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure Blinn College District courses will meet requirements at the student’s college or university.
Blinn College Board Policy EGA (LEGAL)
Degrees and Awards
The Blinn College District offers many degrees and awards completely online as well as on-campus. Students may enroll in these programs from any location inside or outside the College District’s service area. The programs and certificates marked below with (ol) may be completed fully online. Click on a program to be taken to the associated degree plan.
Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Arts Field of Study
Associate of Science (AS)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Certificate - Level II
Certificate - Level I
Occupational Skills Award (OSA)
Non-Credit
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