Degree and Certificate Requirements

Overview

Mt. Hood Community College offers a wide range of degrees and certificates designed to support your educational, career, and transfer goals. Whether you plan to enter the workforce, advance in your current field, or transfer to a four-year institution, there are multiple pathways to help you get there.

Types of Credentials

MHCC offers several types of academic credentials:

  • Associate Degrees – Prepare students for transfer or direct entry into a career field
  • Bachelor Degree (BAS) – Applied bachelor’s degree focused on advanced technical and professional skills
  • Certificates – Shorter-term programs focused on specific skills or career areas
  • Additional Credentials – Options such as micro-credentials, transfer modules, and workforce training opportunities

Explore Your Options

There are several ways to find a program that fits your goals:

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are still exploring your options, consider beginning with the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT). This flexible degree allows you to complete general education requirements while exploring different fields of study.

You may also benefit from taking a college success or career exploration course (HD) and meeting with an advisor to help clarify your goals and next steps.

Learn More

Each program page includes detailed information about requirements, course sequences, admission criteria, and career outcomes. Be sure to review those pages carefully when selecting a program.

Associate degrees

Associate degrees at Mt. Hood Community College are designed to support both transfer and career pathways. These programs typically require 90–108 credits and are generally completed in about two years of full-time study.

Associate Degrees Offered at MHCC

View detailed requirements on each degree's page. 

Not Sure Which Associate Degree to Choose?

Degree Best For Primary Goal
AAOT (Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer) Students who are undecided or exploring options Transfer with a broad, flexible foundation
AAT (Associate of Arts Transfer) Students pursuing specific transfer majors (e.g., education) Transfer into a designated major
AST (Associate of Science Transfer) Students interested in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math) Transfer into STEM programs
AS (Associate of Science) Students pursuing specialized or flexible transfer paths Transfer with some customization
AAS (Associate of Applied Science) Students who want to enter the workforce directly Career preparation and job entry
AGS (Associate of General Studies) Students with varied interests or prior credits Flexible degree completion

 Still unsure? Consider starting with the AAOT to keep your options open while you explore, and connect with an advisor to plan your next steps.

Degree Awarding Requirements

To be awarded an associate degree, students must meet the following requirements:

Program Requirements:

Complete all required courses and general education requirements as outlined in the catalog.

Total Credits:
Complete a minimum of 90 credits applicable to the degree program.

**Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA):**1

Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in:

  • All MHCC coursework
  • Courses applied to the degree
  • Courses within the major

**Minimum Course Grade:**2

The following degrees require a minimum grade of “C” or higher in specific areas:

  • AAOT / AAT / AST: All courses
  • AS: Mathematics, Written Communication, and Oral Communication

Academic Residency:
Complete at least 12 credit hours at MHCC. Non-traditional credit does not fulfill this requirement. See the Graduation section of Academic Information Policies for additional details.

Graduation Application:
Submit a graduation application at least two terms prior to your intended completion term.

Notes

¹ Some programs may have higher GPA or grade requirements than the minimum and/or may require a minimum GPA within a specific subject area.

² For transfer degrees (AAOT, AAT, AST), grades of Satisfactory (S) or Pass (P) are considered equivalent to a “C” at Oregon community colleges. However, some programs limit the use of these grading options for specific requirements. Students are encouraged to take courses for a letter grade.

All major-related courses must be taken for a letter grade to meet MTM requirements. The following programs do not accept “S” or “P” grades:

Bachelor of Applied Science Degree

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees at Mt. Hood Community College are workforce-focused, bachelor-level programs designed to prepare students for high-demand careers. These programs build on the technical knowledge and skills gained in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree, while developing advanced abilities in problem-solving, communication, and leadership.

BAS degrees typically require a minimum of 180 total credits, including approximately 90 credits of upper-division coursework beyond the associate degree.

BAS Degrees Offered at MHCC

Degree Awarding Requirements

To be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, students must meet the following requirements:

Program Requirements:

  • Complete all required program courses and general education requirements as outlined in the catalog. Some programs may require courses to be completed within a specified timeframe.
  • View full program details on the Cybersecurity BAS program page.

Total Credits:
Complete a minimum of 180 credits applicable to the degree, following an approved program plan.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA):
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in:

  • All MHCC coursework
  • Courses applied to the degree
  • Courses within the major

Academic Residency:
Complete at least 24 credit hours at MHCC. Non-traditional credit does not fulfill this requirement.

Graduation Application:
Submit a graduation application at least two terms prior to your intended completion term.

Certificates

Certificates at Mt. Hood Community College are designed to help students develop specific skills for employment, career advancement, or further education. Many certificates can be completed in a shorter timeframe and may also be part of a larger degree pathway.

Most certificates range from 12–60 credits (though some may exceed this range) and may be offered as standalone programs or embedded within an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

Career Pathway Certificates of Completion (12–44 credits) are designed to build toward an AAS degree, with all coursework applying directly to the related associate degree.

Repeated courses may only be counted once toward certificate completion unless otherwise specified in the course description or required by the program.

Types of Certificates

MHCC offers several types of certificates:

  • Certificate of Completion
  • Career Pathway Certificate of Completion (CPCC)
  • Employment Skills Training Certificate

View all certificate programs on the Certificates page.

Certificate Awarding Requirements

To be awarded a certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

Program Requirements:

Complete all required courses as listed in the catalog.

  • Certificates that are 45 credits or more or span three or more terms require completion of two of the four general education components required for AAS degrees.
  • Some certificates include general education requirements within the program coursework.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA):
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in:

  • All MHCC coursework
  • Courses applied to the certificate
  • Courses within the major

Academic Residency:
Complete at least 12 credit hours at MHCC. Non-traditional credit does not fulfill this requirement.

Graduation Application:
Submit a graduation application at least two terms prior to completion.

Additional Credentials

Mt. Hood Community College offers a variety of additional opportunities for students to build skills, complete educational milestones, and advance their goals: