American Samoa Community College

II.A.9. The institution awards course credit, degrees and certificates based on student attainment of learning outcomes.  Units of credit awarded are consistent with institutional policies that reflect generally accepted norms or equivalencies in higher education.  If the institution offers courses based on clock hours, it follows federal standards for clock-to-credit-hour conversions.

ASCC follows accepted academic practices on awarding of credit based on instructional hours, credit per course, credits required for certificates and degrees, and in maintaining a 2.0 CGPA for AA/AS graduation and 2.7 CGPA for students graduating with a B.Ed. 1

The college defines the academic credits as followed:

  • Academic credits are granted for work completed successfully in courses specifically outlined below
  • A lecture course carries one semester credit hour for one hour of classroom instruction per week.

Instructor-supervised laboratory work carries one semester credit hour for three hours of laboratory time per week. Note: Supervised laboratory work includes clinical, studio, internship, practicum, fieldwork, and physical education courses. 2

Course credit is awarded based on successful completion of the course and achievement of student learning outcomes (SLO) as stated in course syllabi. All courses currently offered at ASCC have learning outcomes that are directly aligned to Program and Department Degrees/Certificates. Each course has course objectives that are linked to course content, methods of instruction, assessment and course requirements.  3

Degrees are awarded based on successful completion of GEO, Core and/or Co-foundational area course requirements and successful achievement of student learning outcomes. All degrees/certificates requirements have course outcomes aligned to program learning outcomes and institutional learning outcomes. Each program has defined learning outcomes that are linked to course content, methods of instruction, assessment and course requirements. Programs evaluate outcomes through academic/program review, which identifies assessment instruments and outcomes that have been achieved by students upon completion of the program. Successful achievement of program learning outcomes and completion of program requirements allow students to earn degrees or certificates.  4