Navigating Graduation Requirements at Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College (LCCC) is dedicated to fostering well-rounded individuals who can read with comprehension, write with clarity, speak with precision, listen with discrimination, and think critically and analytically. This commitment is reflected in its graduation requirements, designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, values, and beliefs essential for success. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the graduation requirements at LCCC, covering associate degrees, certificates, specialized credit diplomas, and honors designation.

General Education at LCCC

LCCC believes in the development of the whole person through education. Its general education outcomes are integrated across various degree programs (BAS, AA, AAB, AAS, AS, AIS, and ATS) and short-term certificates. Students can enhance their skills in critical thinking, communication, diversity, ethics, health, and professional development through learning communities, leadership development, internships, community work, and on-campus programs.

Associate Degrees

LCCC offers several types of associate degrees: Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). All associate degrees share common requirements.

General Requirements for Associate Degrees

To earn an associate degree at LCCC, students must:

Attain at least a 2.0 program and cumulative GPA. Courses with “F” grades will not count toward degree requirements.
Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.
Successfully complete at least 60 credit hours in an approved program of study, of which 15 credits must be taken at LCCC through course enrollment.
Courses numbered below 101 may not be used toward the degree.
Physical education courses may not be repeated for credit.

Specific Requirements for A.A. and A.S. Degrees

In addition to the general requirements, students pursuing an A.A. or A.S. degree must:

Complete core requirements of the appropriate program.
Complete 22 credits in general education:
- College English Series (ENG 105, 106): 6 credits
- Humanities and Social Sciences: 9 credits
- Mathematics: 3 credits
- Laboratory Science: 4 credits

It is important to note that ENG 100 and MAT 090 cannot be used to satisfy the College English series or mathematics/science requirements. All general education courses must be numbered 101 or higher.

Specific Requirements for A.A.S. Degree

In addition to the general requirements, students pursuing an A.A.S. degree must:

Complete the required courses in the specific program.
Complete 21 credits in general education:
- College English Series (ENG 105 and ENG 106, 107, or 108): 6 credits
- Mathematics/Science: 6-8 credits
- Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 credits
- General Education Elective: 3 credits

Similar to the A.A. and A.S. degrees, ENG 100 and MAT 090 cannot be used to satisfy the College English series or mathematics/science requirements, and all general education courses must be numbered 101 or higher.

Dual Associate Degrees

Students interested in pursuing two associate degrees simultaneously can do so under the following conditions:

Apply for dual associate degrees after successfully completing 12 college-level credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Meet all requirements for each major.
Earn both degrees within the same semester. Each degree requires a separate graduation application.
Take and earn a minimum of 15 credits from each major at LCCC through course enrollment.
Complete a minimum of 15 unique credits not applied to the other major.

Students using financial aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding their eligibility, as it can change based on academic progress and grant/loan limitations. Note that a student may not earn an Associate in General Studies and Associate in Liberal Arts at the same time, and combining either of these with another AA or AS degree is discouraged.

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Additional Associate Degrees

Students who already possess an associate degree may pursue additional degrees by:

Meeting the general requirements for all associate degrees.
Earning a minimum of 15 credits with courses 101 and above required by the additional degree at LCCC, which have not been applied to any previously awarded degree. These credits can be completed before or after awarding the previous degree.
Fulfilling all prerequisite, general education, and major-related course requirements for the program.

Financial aid eligibility may also be affected, so consultation with the Financial Aid Office is recommended.

Certificates

To earn a certificate at LCCC, students must:

Complete an approved certificate program of at least 30 credits in courses numbered 101 or higher, of which at least 25% of the credits must be taken at LCCC through course enrollment.
Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.

Credits earned in certificate programs are often applicable to Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in the same field.

Specialized Credit Diplomas

To earn a specialized credit diploma at LCCC, students must:

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Complete an approved specialized credit diploma program of at least 9 credits in courses numbered 101 or higher, of which at least 25% of the credits must be taken at LCCC through course enrollment.
Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0.
Fulfill all financial obligations to the college.

Credits earned in most specialized credit diploma programs are applicable to certificates in the same field.

Graduation Application Process

All students who wish to graduate with a degree, certificate, or specialized diploma must submit a graduation application. Applications are available online through the “myLCCC” portal, accessible via BannerWeb under Student Self Service.

Application deadlines are:

October 1 for December graduation
February 1 for May graduation
June 1 for August graduation

LCCC holds a commencement ceremony in May for all graduates, and December graduates are invited to attend the ceremony the following May.

Automatic Graduation

LCCC automatically awards certificates and degrees. Maintaining accurate records regarding program of study, name, and primary address are very important. Students who have not completed a graduation candidacy request but meet all qualifications to graduate at the end of a semester may be automatically graduated effective the following term. Students who have not completed a graduation candidacy request, but at the end of a semester, meet all the requirements of a completion certification may be automatically graduated effective the following term.

Graduation with Honors

To qualify for graduation with honors, a student must have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all courses taken at LCCC, exclusive of college preparatory courses. This GPA will then be recalculated to include the original grades for all forgiven and repeated courses and all grades from all institutions where the student was previously enrolled, exclusive of college preparatory courses, to determine eligibility for graduation with honors. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all courses included in this recalculation is REQUIRED for graduation with honors. A student deemed ineligible for honors designation has the right to appeal in writing to the Committee on Scholastic Standing.

Additional Information

Program of Study

Maintaining accurate records regarding program of study, name, and primary address are very important because LCCC automatically awards certificates and degrees. Students should refer to the related policy on Program of Study - Change of Major and be sure to check their name and address for accuracy within MyCampus.

Curriculum Guides

Curriculum guides outline all coursework required for a particular degree or certificate program. To provide students with a checklist that may be followed throughout their curriculum. Curriculum guides are helpful to prospective students and students considering changing programs.

Course Selection

Selection of courses applicable for graduation requirements is the responsibility of each student. The student should follow the catalog the year they enrolled as a new student. If the student changes their major after they initially apply, they must follow the new program requirements in the semester they are changing their major. Students who attended classes at the college previously, but then discontinued their enrollment in the past 12 months or more, must complete an online returning student application and follow the new catalog requirements. Students may request a “Petition to Change Catalog Term” if their program has been updated by new curriculum. This form must be signed prior to registration before their last semester by an advisor or counselor and submitted to the Office of Registration/Student Records.

Waivers and Substitutions

Students may initiate a petition for a substitution or waiver of published degree or certificate requirements. These requests can be initiated through an academic advisor and will be reviewed and determined by the faculty member or coordinator responsible for the oversight of the student’s program of study.

Substitution: The use of an alternative course for a specific program to meet the degree requirements.
Waiver: Allows a student to not take a course within the degree program at all.

Academic Advising

Students should consult regularly with an academic advisor while attending LCCC. Students often need time to explore career options before selecting a speciﬁc program major. Students who declare universal arts or universal science without an additional transfer plan (Ohio Guarantee Transfer Pathway, University Partnership, etc.) after 24 credit hours will have a hold placed on their account in MyCampus. To remove the hold, students will meet with their advisor to declare a transfer plan or file a request to have the plan waived. The semesters indicated for the specific program courses are suggestions only.

College Credit Plus

High school students looking to jumpstart their college career can participate in the Lorain County Community College (LCCC) College Credit Plus program. This program allows students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously - completely tuition-free. Students can potentially earn up to 72 college credits before graduating high school, potentially completing an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. The College Credit Plus program evaluates candidates based on academic performance, attendance, discipline history, and motivation to succeed. Students receive comprehensive support including mandatory orientation, access to all LCCC campus services, and guidance from both high school counselors and college advisors. All College Credit Plus courses offered in partnership with Lorain County Community College (LCCC) are listed with course descriptions provided by LCCC.

Awards Presented at Commencement

The college holds a traditional commencement ceremony in May for all graduates. December graduates are invited to attend the commencement ceremony in May following their graduation date. Awards presented include the following:

All-Pennsylvania Academic Team
Associate Degree Nursing Faculty Recognition Award
Clark E. “Willie” Hartman Award
Climax Goulder Bealine Award
Computer Science Faculty Recognition Awards
Country Doctor Veterinary Hospital Award
Distinction in Psychology Award
Distinction in Science Award
Gilbert A. Scheetz Scholastic Achievement Award
Jennifer Smith Memorial Veterinary Technician Award
Jennifer L. Snyder Memorial Veterinary Technician Award
Joanne Gerken Graduation Speaker Award
LCCC Faculty Association Student of the Year Award
Lehigh County Chapter of American Association of Medical Assistants Award
Lehigh County Medical Society Awards
Mathematics Achievement Award
Occupational Therapy Assistant, The Professional Development Award
Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Association Award
Occupational Therapy Assistant Outstanding Student Award
Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Scholarship Award
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Award
Philip Fahy Memorial Award
Professor Elizabeth (Bette) Hummer Memorial Award
Professor William L.F. and Mrs. Mary Joan Schmehl Political Science Organization Alumni Award
Rosemary Kradel Mathematics Achievement Award
Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) - LCCC Chapter Service Award
Teacher Education Student Association Scholarship Award
Wayne E. Kirker Award
Wright Veterinary Medical Center Veterinary Technician Award

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