CLAS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

After July 1, 2009, in order to be granted an Associate in Arts or baccalaureate degree, a student must meet certain criteria to satisfy the skills areas of Mathematics, Essay, English, Language Skills and Reading. A student can show proficiency by meeting one of the following standards:

1. Achieve a score as follows on the FCELPT (CPT), ACT or SAT:

A score of 93 or higher on the Reading section of FCELPT (CPT) earns an exemption in the Reading requirement.
A score of 105 or higher on the English section of FCELPT (CPT) earns an exemption in the Essay, English and Language Skills Requirements.
A score of 91 or higher on the Mathematics section of FCELPT (CPT) earns an exemption in the Mathematics requirement.
A score of 500 or higher in the Verbal section of the SAT1 earns an exemption in the Essay, English, Language Skills and Reading requirements.
A score of 500 or higher in the Mathematics section of the SAT1 earns an exemption in the Mathematics requirement.
A score of 21 or higher in the English section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Essay & Language Skills requirements.
A score of 22 or higher in the Reading section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Reading requirements. A score of 21 or higher in the Math section of the ACT-E earns an exemption in the Mathematics requirement.

2. Grades in Specific Courses

Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in ENC 1101 and ENC 1102, ENC 1141 or courses with the prefixes AML, ENL and LIT shall be exempt from the Reading, English Language Skills, and Essay requirements.

Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in two (2) Gordon Rule general education Mathematics courses shall be exempt from the Mathematics requirement.

These degree requirements are for A.A. and BAS degree candidates only. A.S. and A.A.S. students are not required to meet these requirements unless they are planning to transfer to a university and the university requires meeting these standards.

3. Applying for a Waiver of CLAS requirements

In accordance with Florida Administrative Code (6A-10.0311), students receiving an Associate in Arts or Bachelor degree must show attainment of college-level academic skills. For students unable to show attainment through course grades or through an attempt(s) at the College Level Academic Skills Test prior to July 1, 2009, or test scores as listed in the exemptions summary table, the student may apply for a waiver.

In order for the request to be considered for a waiver, the student must:

1. Not be eligible for a waiver through course grades
2. Have scores lower on the test than the scores noted above.
3. Have a complete set of scores on one of the tests listed above to assess each CLAS area.
4. Met all other requirements for the Associate in Arts or Bachelor of Applied Science degree

Please see the web page at http://www.pbcc.edu/CLAS-waiver.xml for the form and process for applying for a CLAS waiver.

4. Waiver of the Degree Requirements for Specific Learning Disabilities

Please see the website at http://www.pbcc.edu/disabilities.xml for information on applying for a waiver of the skill area requirements due to specific learning disabilities.