Degrees & Certificates

Certificates & Diplomas

Certificate of Educational Competence (GED)

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction has authorized Skagit Valley College, as an official testing agency, to give the General Educational Development test to qualified applicants. This is a nationally used test for people who do not have a high school diploma. Upon satisfactory completion of such tests, the State Superintendent will issue a Certificate of Educational Competency, Grade 12.

If you would like to take the GED test, contact Counseling and Career Services. To help prepare for the tests, you may enroll in Adult Basic Education classes (see Adult Basic Education, Ch. 7).

Anyone 19 years of age or older is eligible for the testing program; a testing fee is required (see Fees, Chapter 3). People under the age of 19 may test for the GED with the approval of their high school.

Adult High School Diploma

If you are 19 or over and do not have a high school diploma, you may earn one at SVC. Minimum residency for this diploma is five credits and one quarter of attendance. Upon the successful completion of requirements, students will receive an Adult High School Diploma. Non-high school graduates who are under 19 may apply with the recommendation of a high school principal. Contact SVC's Counseling and Career Services for further information.

Professional/Technical Certificates

The Professional/Technical Certificate represents a planned sequence of courses which prepares students for entry into a technical field of employment. All professional/technical certificate programs emphasize the technical major and related instruction in communications, computation and human relations skills in the curriculum. Upon completion of coursework, the certificate must be approved by the Dean for Professional/Technical Education and the Department Chair. Professional/Technical Certificates are listed within each professional/technical department.

Micro-Certificates of Completion

Micro-Certificates of Completion are designed for taking courses over a short-term period of time focusing on a specific skill within an existing Professional/Technical program.

Individual Technical Certificates

The Individual Technical Certificate may be available to students who wish to design their own program to meet a specific career goal. An Individual Technical Certificate Contract must be approved IN ADVANCE by the Department Chair and/or appropriate dean. After completion of the certificate, the student must notify the Registrar. For more information, contact Counseling and Career Services or the Registrar.

Community College Diploma

This degree requires a student to complete 90 quarter credits selected from courses numbered 100 and above. The credits must include:

• 9 credits in English and Communication Studies
• 10 credits in each of the following areas: Natural World, Culture, and Arts
• 3 credits in PE activities
• PE 100 or 200 (2 cr.).

Courses for a high school diploma may not be used to meet the Community College Diploma requirements. At least 25 of the credits must be earned at SVC with a minimum college-level GPA of 2.0.