TYPES OF DEGREES

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College offers a complete schedule of courses across a wide range of programs and areas of concentration. Students can choose to work toward a two year Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Applied Science, or Associate of Science degree. Students may also choose to complete credits for transfer to another college as specified in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Short-term diploma and certificate programs are also available. Degrees and credits earned at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College transfer to most other colleges and universities.

Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts degree is awarded for successful completion of programs primarily intended to provide a broad liberal arts and sciences background and to constitute the first two years of four-year programs. Associate of Arts degree requirements include the completion of 60 semester credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including a minimum of 40 credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Associate of Fine Arts

The Associate of Fine Arts degree provides the opportunity for students to study fine arts curricula while pursuing educational requirements necessary for transfer to accredited four-year degree programs in visual arts. The Associate of Fine Arts degree requires 60 semester credits, including 24 semester credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Associate of Science Degree

The Associate of Science degree is awarded for successful completion of programs which have highly structured professional level technical requirements. Recipients of this degree shall be prepared for transfer to baccalaureate majors in the same field.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students who complete the requirements in approved occupational programs. The Associate of Applied Science degree requires 60 semester credits, including 15 semester credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

The public colleges and universities in Minnesota have a common liberal education curriculum called the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC). The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requires at least 40 semester credits to complete and consists of lower division general education requirements. The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum is transferable to any state college and university in Minnesota (excluding most private colleges).

ACCREDITATION

Consistent with the mission of the college, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is committed to student learning and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For additional information regarding accreditation, assessment, and other areas related to academic accountability, contact the Commission at 800-621-7440, or view the website at www.ncahlc.org. Attending an accredited institution is important to students because it indicates that the college meets nationally accepted standards for academic content and rigor. Credits earned at an accredited institution will transfer to other accredited institutions.

The Law Enforcement Program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.

The Nursing Program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is working with the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission.

The American Indian Studies Associate of Arts degree program is in candidacy for World Indigenous Higher Education Consortium accreditation.

The Business degree program is in candidate status with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES TRANSFER PROGRAMS

Students planning to transfer to another institution to complete a four-year college degree can begin their program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College by completing an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.), or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. Students who are planning to transfer to another institution should keep in mind the requirements of that institution when selecting courses in the area that they may plan on majoring in at the transfer institution.  Unless the students are in a program they do not declare a major while attending Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Students who are unsure of what area they may ultimately select at their transfer institution will receive a well-rounded foundation for future courses by completing the general requirements for graduating with an Associate of Arts degree.

The mission of the liberal arts and sciences program is

• To prepare students for the future by promoting cultural diversity within a global perspective
• To expose students to a broad spectrum of knowledge and an open exchange of ideas
• To promote an understanding of the human experience and the inter-relation of the personal, social, and historical dimensions of human life.
• To promote scholarship and academic excellence.
• To promote respect for individuals, the community, and the environment.

The liberal arts and sciences curriculum provides an excellent background in general education and will transfer to a wide variety of colleges and universities.

Foundation courses are offered as part of an A.A., A.F.A., or A.S. degree in the following disciplines and should transfer to most other institutions.

Students attending Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College may consider the following areas of concentration:

• Accounting
• American Indian Studies
• Art
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Child Development
• Corrections
• Criminology/Criminal Justice
• Education
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • Secondary
• Electric Utility Technology
• English
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Health Sciences
• History
• Human Services
• Law Enforcement
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Mathematics
• Music
• Nursing
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Speech/Communication

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree may also be awarded to students who complete the requirements in approved career and technical education programs. A.A.S. degree programs are designed to lead directly into a position in that field. A.S. degree programs may lead to a position in their chosen career area but will also transfer to a four year institution and provide a solid educational foundation for students seeking advanced training or a four year degree.

A student taking classes at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College may select from the following career and technical education programs:

• Business
  • Business/Financial Services (A.S.)
  • Small Business Entrepreneurship (A.A.S.)
• Child Development (A.S., A.A.S.)
• Elementary Education (B.S.)
• Electric Utility Technology (A.A.S.)
• Geographic Information Systems
  • Geographic Information Systems and Visualization (A.A.S.)
• Human Services (A.A.S.)
• Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Justice (A.A.S.)
  • Law Enforcement (A.S.)
• Nursing (A.S.)
• Science
  • Broad Field Health Science (A.S.)
  • Environmental Science (A.S.)

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Students who are interested in a specific area, require training in a specialized area, or just want to see if college is the best educational path for them may begin their college experience by taking courses toward the completion of a certificate or diploma. Certificates and diplomas are designed to be completed in a short period of time and may be used as a starting point to future educational opportunities. Additional certificates may be developed. An updated list of certificates and diplomas offered at FDLTCC can be found on the website.

Currently, the only diploma offered at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is in Practical Nursing.

Students may select from the following certificates. Some of the certificates have prerequisites that must be completed before the student can enroll in the certificate courses. Please contact an advisor or program coordinator of the certificate you are interested in before registering.

• American Indian Studies
  • Anishinaabe Language
• Business
  • Small Business/Entrepreneurship
• Child Development

• Electric Utilities Technology
  • Clean Energy Technician
• Geographic Information Systems
  • Geographic Information Systems and Visualization
• Human Services
  • Chemical Dependency
• Law Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement Skills
• Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Students have the opportunity to complete bachelors-level degrees via cooperative programs established through partnerships between Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and several regional colleges and universities. In some cases, all courses needed to complete the bachelors degree are offered on campus in Cloquet, or via an online class format. Some programs require attendance in courses on the partnering campus. These cooperative programs have specific requirements for completion prior to being accepted into the upper division courses. Students should consult with an advisor/counselor when considering participation in one of the articulated programs.

The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Human Services program has written transfer agreements with the College of St. Scholastica (CSS) and the University of Wisconsin, Superior. CSS has been offering the Social Work degree on the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College campus for past 9 plus years.

All degree and certificate programs are subject to change. In rare cases, a program may be dropped due to lack of student interest or changing labor market conditions.