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Program Details
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Program Details

Uniform Certificate of General Studies

Certificate
Virginia Peninsula Community College

The Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) is a one-year college program in which all courses are transferable and satisfy lower-division general education requirements at any Virginia public institution of higher education. The Passport is a component of the UCGS and is therefore a subset of courses in the UCGS. The UCGS consists of seven course blocks. To satisfy the UCGS students are required to complete the appropriate number of courses in each block as described below. Student course selection should be carefully considered since the UCGS program is not designed to capture the complexities of individual programs of study at the four-year institutions. Students should be advised to take the UCGS course that best suits their intended program of study at the four-year institution.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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Delivery Mode
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Delivery Mode
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Transfer Degree
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The UCGS provides a guarantee that these 30-32 credits will apply to 30-32 credits of general education requirements at most Virginia colleges. See the Resource Center for a list of participating institutions.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Students enter the UCGS program by meeting the usual general admission requirements established by the College. After entering, students must next take any recommended developmental courses. Finally, to earn the Certificate, students must complete approved college-level courses with a grade point average of at least 2.0 or better, all courses must be completed after May 2020.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

Students must select a course for each block from the official UCGS course list.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Peninsula Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Doing More With Your Degree You are encouraged to continue on to the Associate Degree. The more credits you earn prior to transfer, the better your chances of completing a Bachelor's Degree.
Program Successes & Highlights This guarantee applies to all Virginia students completing course work through a 2-year college, including Dual-Enrollment.
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Uniform Certificate of General Studies
32
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students are required to select courses from each block as prescribed below. A grade of C or better is required on all coursework for students to earn a UCGS. All courses must be taken after May 1, 2020.
UCGS
31
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students are required to select courses from each block as prescribed below. A grade of C or better is required on all coursework for students to earn a UCGS. All courses must be taken after May 1, 2020.
Plan GPA 695
31
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 22 credits may be applied to this program.
Block I Written Communication
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Block II Arts/Humanities/Literature
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Select two courses chosen from different categories
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Block III Social/Behavioral Science
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Block IV Natural Science
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Block V Mathematics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Block VI History
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Block VII Specialized General Education Requirements
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Student may complete courses from Blocks I-VI above or any additional course below. Student should align their Block VII course selection with their intended transfer destination's specific general education or programmatic requirements.
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
SDV 100
1
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students are strongly encouraged to complese within their first semester. Student must complete SDV 100 or SDV 101 prior to graduation.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion

VPCC waives the SDV 100 requirement for all students transferring with a previously earned degree, regardless of whether it was earned in high school (via dual enrollment) or afterward. Please submit your transcripts for evaluation to receive transfer credit. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/academics/transfer/transfer-to-vpcc/



Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School

VPCC waives the SDV 100 requirement for all students transferring with a previously earned degree, regardless of whether it was earned in high school (via dual enrollment) or afterward. Please submit your transcripts for evaluation to receive transfer credit. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/academics/transfer/transfer-to-vpcc/

Credit for Prior Learning

Please submit your transcripts and records of professional certifications and licenses, military service, and exam grades for evaluation of credit for prior learning. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/academics/transfer/transfer-to-vpcc/

Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Peninsula Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?

Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) provides affordable, high-quality education and workforce training for residents of the Virginia Peninsula. With flexible schedules, convenient locations, small classes for personalized attention, and strong industry partnerships, VPCC prepares students for seamless four-year university transfers or in-demand careers. VPCC offers scholarships, internships, and are nationally recognized for supporting military families. For additional information check out https://www.vpcc.edu/admissions/

Transfer Student Catalog Year The student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance and program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance and program placement
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Virginia's community colleges offer students more than the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate; they provide a gateway to the Commonwealth's four-year colleges. Through system-wide negotiated agreements, students who graduate from a Virginia community college with an associate degree and the minimum grade point average required by the four-year college are guaranteed admission to many of the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Students should review the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for the four-year institution they wish to attend to learn more about the process: https://www.vpcc.edu/academics/transfer/guaranteed-admission-agreements/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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This program could not be matched to any related careers. Please contact the institution for assistance with matching this program to careers.

Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 32 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Uniform Certificate of General Studies at Virginia Peninsula Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $170 Per Credit $5,440 $0 $5,440
Fees
Safety/Parking Fee $2 Per Credit $64 0 $64
Student Activity Fee $2 Per Credit $64 0 $64
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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