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Program Details

Uniform Certificate of General Studies

Certificate
Tidewater Community College

The Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year public college or university in Virginia. When completed, the UCGS will satisfy lower-division general education requirements at many four-year public and private colleges and universities in Virginia.*

To satisfy the UCGS, students are required to complete the appropriate number of courses in each block as described below. Students should select courses in general education that best align with the major requirements at the four-year Virginia college or university in which they plan to transfer. A grade of "C" or better is required in all coursework for students to earn the UCGS, and only courses completed after May 2020 apply to the UCGS. For more information, visit the Transfer Passport website


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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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.
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 Tidewater 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.
Students should consult a faculty advisor or counselor to choose courses appropriate to their educational goals or intended major and transfer institution.
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 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.
TCC had 11 graduates in 2020-21, 22 graduates in 2019-20, 57 graduates in 2018-19, 145 graduates in 2017-18, and 140 graduates in 2016-17 in the Certificate program in General Education.
Related Programs & Certifications
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Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Passport
Link
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
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.
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.
Plan GPA 695
31
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
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:
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 The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.

For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning
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: Tidewater 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
Number of Transfer Students
3364
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.

https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs.

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 31 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 Tidewater 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 $5,270 $0 $5,270 Tuition is subject to change by action of the State Board for Community Colleges. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Fees
Institutional Fee $7 Per Credit $217 0 $217 Used to fund expenses related to campus parking including, but no limited to parking improvements, signage, parking lot repairs, lot security, and overall improvements. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Student Activity Fee $3 Per Credit $93 0 $93 Used to fund various student activities and programs including, but not limited to honor societies, leadership training, community and cultural events, clubs, athletics, student publications, and learning assistance. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Auxiliary Capital Fee $20 Per Credit $620 0 $620 Used to construct, maintain, and operate facilities for which state General Fund dollars are not permitted. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
*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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