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Programs of Study

General Information

The Sauk Valley Community College academic year consists of a minimum of 32 weeks, during which there is a scheduled fall semester of at least 16 weeks, including final examinations, and a spring semester of at least 16 weeks, including final examinations.

The College reserves the right to make additions, deletions, and modifications to curricula, course descriptions, degree requirements, academic policies, schedules, academic calendars, and tuition and fees without notice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in the Sauk Valley Community College Catalog, it is normal to expect changes in course listings and other information. Changes are made to programs as updates occur with other institutions of higher education and State requirements are articulated. The College reserves the right to effect changes without notice or obligation, including the right to discontinue a course, a group of courses, or a degree program. Notices of such changes are widely distributed on campus. The College expects each student to have knowledge of the information presented in the catalog.

Educational Programs

University Transfer refers to those programs and courses in the liberal arts, sciences, and in pre-professional curricula that transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

Career Education programs and courses in agriculture, business, technical, human services, and health fields are designed to prepare individuals for employment or to upgrade the skills and knowledge of employees. Some of these courses are designed specifically for career programs and are not intended as transfer coursework.

Developmental Education programs and courses are designed to upgrade skills in English language arts and mathematics so individuals can achieve higher levels of competence and succeed in college-level work. General Educational Development (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and English as a Second Language (ESL) are also offered.

Community Education courses, workshops, and seminars are offered in response to local needs and interests on a credit or noncredit basis in communities throughout the district. Customized training programs are developed for specific businesses and industries.

University Transfer Programs

The associate in arts, associate in science, associate in engineering science, and associate in fine arts - art are for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university for a baccalaureate degree.

Sauk Valley Community College is a participant of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement among colleges and universities in Illinois. This initiative allows transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) between participating institutions.

The general education core curriculum requires a minimum of 37 semester hours of IAI approved course work with at least  a “C” in each of the two courses in the writing sequence. Alternate credit transcripted at SVCC in the AP or CLEP can be used to fulfill the GECC requirements. SVCC offers a credential for completion of the GECC.

The following statewide agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree granting institution as a first-time freshman in summer 1998 (and thereafter). SVCC will use credits completed prior to 1998 toward the GECC.

  1. Students who have earned an associate in arts (A.A.) degree which incorporates the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum will have satisfied the lower-division general education requirements at the participating Illinois college or university to which they transfer.
  2. Students who have earned the associate in science degree (A.S.) which is specifically designed for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM areas of study will have satisfied a modified general education package. This degree allows students in these demanding fields the opportunity to remain on track with their cohorts at the 4-year institutions and complete a couple of general education courses after they transfer to their institution of choice. Under the A.S. degree model, students will take one additional math course and one science course, which will delay two GECC courses in the Humanities & Fine Arts and Social & Behavioral Sciences categories. The GECC package remains intact; however, a student will complete the package upon transfer to a participating university.
  3. Students who complete the General Education Core Curriculum at Sauk should have their lower division general education requirements met upon transfer to another participating college or university in Illinois.
  4. Students who have satisfactorily completed courses within the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum at Sauk should be granted credit towards fulfilling the receiving institution’s comparable all-campus, lower-division, general education requirement.
  5. General Education Core Curriculum completion post-matriculation:
  • Under the following circumstances, institutions will offer transfer students the option of satisfying lower-division general education requirements by completing a GECC curriculum while enrolled in the receiving institution.
    • When the transfer student has completed a statewide articulated associate degree such as the AS, AFA or AES; or
    • When the transfer student has been granted 30 semester hours of transfer credit by the receiving institution without having completed the GECC. (Although not specified, the nature of lower-division curricula indicates that 30 semester hours of transfer credit from an institution will likely incorporate GECC credits).

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is designed to facilitate the transfer of students from one Illinois Institution to another. To assist students in identifying qualifying general education core courses, the following IAI codes, as noted in the course descriptions, identify qualifying general education courses:

  • IAI C (Communications)
  • IAI F or HF(Fine Arts)
  • IAI H or HF (Humanities)
  • IAI L or LP (Life Sciences)
  • IAI M (Mathematics)
  • IAI P or LP (Physical Sciences)
  • IAI S (Social/Behavioral Sciences)

Illinois Articulation Initiative Baccalaureate Majors’ Recommendations (IAI Majors)

IAI Baccalaureate Majors’ Recommendations (IAI Majors) describe courses typically taken by freshmen and sophomores for a specific major. These course recommendations are meant for students who are undecided about a transfer school. If you already know where you will transfer, see that school’s catalog and an academic advisor for specific advice. Baccalaureate majors currently effective statewide are: agriculture, art, biological sciences, business, chemistry, computer sciences, criminal justice, early childhood education, engineering, English, history, mathematics,  media/communication arts, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, and theater arts.

Students who have met program entry requirements and have satisfactorily completed courses described in an IAI Baccalaureate Major Curriculum Recommendation should be granted credit towards fulfilling the receiving institution’s comparable lower-division requirements for the specific major. Where admission is competitive, completion of a Baccalaureate Major Recommendation does not guarantee admission.

See an academic advisor for additional information and read about the IAI on the World Wide Web - www.itransfer.org.

General Education Philosophy Statement

General Education at Sauk Valley Community College prepares its graduates for the increasing demands of the workplace and the expanding responsibilities of the diverse local and global communities in which they will live and work. Many programs require courses in communications, mathematics, the physical and life sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, the humanities and fine arts, and personal health and development provide students with knowledge, competencies, and habits of mind conducive to living responsible, productive, and joyful lives. Within this curricular framework, students will develop the following competencies:

1.    Problem Solving

Students will be able to:

  • Identify the problem and the desired outcome(s).
  • Recognize and evaluate available resources.
  • Establish a process or plan of action by which the outcomes may be achieved.
  • Implement solution(s) and apply knowledge gained.

2.    Communications

2A. Writing

Students will be able to:

  • Answer the prompt or purpose set without digressing.
  • Support the main idea with specific details or evidence.
  • Organize the information coherently.
  • Exhibit a command of stand English.

2B. Oral Presentation

Students will be able to:

  • Answer the prompt or purpose set without digressing.
  • Support the main idea with specific details.
  • Exhibit poise.
  • Address the needs of the audience for information or clarification.

2C. Collaboration

Students will be able to:

  • Allocate and coordinate tasks.
  • Communicate expectations to one another accurately.
  • Present a finished product that is a coherent whole.
  • Avoid or resolve conflicts.

2D. Reading

Students will be able to:

  • Identify main idea and supporting details, restate or summarize.
  • Attend to details or directives when carrying out instructions.
  • Detect implied meaning.
  • Analyze and draw a conclusion.

2E. Listening

Students will be able to:

  • Identify main idea and supporting details, restate or summarize.
  • Attend to details or directives when carrying out instructions.
  • Detect implied meaning.
  • Analyze and draw conclusions.

3.  Technology

Students will be able to:

  • Select appropriate technology for the specific discipline.
  • Apply appropriate technology for the specific discipline.

4.  Quantitative Reasoning

Students will be able to:

  • Interpret and apply mathematical reasoning in the appropriate context.
  • Perform mathematical computations.
  • Analyze and interpret the mathematical results of computations.

5.  Research

Students will be able to:

  • Apply appropriate research processes and tools.
  • Evaluate the value of research results.
  • Synthesize findings from multiple sources into a single conclusion.
  • Document the research in accordance with applicable conventions.

6.  Ethics

Students will be able to:

  • Identify ethical issues.
  • Explain their significance.
  • Analyze the consequences of ethical and unethical behavior.

Associate in Arts Degree

The associate in arts (A.A.) degree is designed to complete the Illinois Articulation Initiative transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) and the lower-division portion of a Baccalaureate Degree. SVCC also offers a credential for completion of the GECC.

  • General Education Core Curriculum (37-39 Semester Hours)
    • Communications (9 semester hours)

      A grade of “C” or better is required in the Communication writing courses.

      • ENG 101
      • ENG 103
      • COM 131
    • Mathematics (3-4 semester hours)
      • MAT 111
      • MAT 115
      • MAT 203
      • MAT 204
      • MAT 205
      • MAT 220
      • MAT 221
      • MAT 230
      • MAT 240
    • Humanities and Fine Arts (9 semester hours)

      At least one course must be selected from Humanities and one course from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses encompassing both the humanities and the fine arts may be used for either category. Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Humanities
        • Foreign Language
          • LAN 262
        • Literature
          • ENG 160
          • ENG 201
          • ENG 203
          • ENG 212*
          • ENG 225
          • ENG 226
          • ENG 227
          • ENG 228
          • ENG 230*
        • Philosophy
          • PHL 101
          • PHL 102
          • PHL 103
        • Religious Studies
          • PHL 104*
        • Interdisciplinary Humanities
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
      • Fine Arts
        • Performing Arts
          • MUS 201
          • THE 141
        • Visual Arts
          • ART 118*
          • ART 119
          • ART 120
          • ART 121A
          • ART 122A
          • HUM 112
        • Interdisciplinary Fine Arts
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
    • Physical and Life Sciences (7 to 8 semester hours)

      One course must be selected from Life Science and one course from Physical Science. At least one course must be a laboratory science course (LAB).

      • Life Sciences
        • BIO 103 (LAB)
        • BIO 104
        • BIO 105 (LAB)
        • BIO 123 (LAB)
        • BIO 131 (LAB)
        • BIO 140
      • Physical Sciences
        • CHE 102
        • CHE 103 (LAB)
        • CHE 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 106
        • GSC 115
        • PHY 175 (LAB)
        • PHY 201 (LAB)
        • PHY 211 (LAB)
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 semester hours)

      Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines. Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Anthropology
        • SOC 115*
        • SOC 116*
      • Economics
        • ECO 211
        • ECO 212
      • History
        • HIS 131
        • HIS 132
        • HIS 155*
        • HIS 221
        • HIS 222
      • Human Geography
        • GEO 122*
      • Political Science
        • PSC 163
        • PSC 164
        • PSC 232
        • PSC 233*B
        • PSC 251*B
        • PSC 261
      • Psychology
        • PSY 103
        • PSY 200
        • PSY 214
        • PSY 215
      • Sociology
        • SOC 111
        • SOC 112
        • SOC 251
  • SVCC Degree Requirements (4 Semester Hours)
    • First Year Experience (1 semester hour)

      (SVCC Requirement-This is not a General Education Core Curriculum IAI course and is not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • FYE 101
    • Personal Health and Development (3 semester hours)

      (SVCC Requirement-These are not General Education Core Curriculum IAI courses and are not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • ART 101
      • ART 113
      • BIO 120
      • BUS 237
      • CIS 109
      • EDU 105
      • MUS 106
      • MUS 155
      • THE 145
      • COM 161
      • THE 232
      • Any 100 level physical education course
  • Major Field Requirements/Transfer Electives (21-23 Semester Hours)

    Students should consult an academic advisor and their transfer institution to determine the specific courses appropriate for their program of study.

  • Total Credit Hours for Degree (64 Semester Hours)

Computer Skills

Students planning to enter virtually every field need to be knowledgeable of the operation and applications of computers.

Foreign Language

While few baccalaureate institutions require a foreign or second language in their campus-wide general education requirements, competency through two, three, or four college semesters (or the high school equivalent) in a single foreign or second language is required for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at some universities, for all bachelor's degrees in some colleges (such as colleges of liberal arts), and for some bachelor's degree majors. Thus, community college students who intend to transfer should plan to complete the foreign language courses required by their intended institution, college within a university, and/or major prior to transferring. Students should consult with an academic advisor and their transfer institutions to determine how this requirement can be met.

*Human Diversity

While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC.

All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies 

 

Associate in Science Degree

The associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to prepare students to transfer as juniors into a baccalaureate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program.  This degree has a modified general education package (does NOT fulfill the requirements for the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum - GECC) which allows students in these demanding fields the opportunity to remain on track with their cohorts at the 4-year institutions and complete additional general education courses after they transfer to their institution of choice. Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

  • General Education (31-33 Semester Hours)
    • Communications (9 semester hours)

      A grade of “C” or better is required in the Communication writing courses.

      • ENG 101
      • ENG 103
      • COM 131
    • Mathematics (3-4 semester hours)
      • MAT 111
      • MAT 115
      • MAT 203
      • MAT 204
      • MAT 205
      • MAT 220
      • MAT 221
      • MAT 230
      • MAT 240
    • Humanities and Fine Arts (6 semester hours)

      At least one course must be selected from Humanities and one course from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses encompassing both the humanities and the Fine Arts may be used for either category. Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Humanities
        • Foreign Language
          • LAN 262
        • Literature
          • ENG 160
          • ENG 201
          • ENG 203
          • ENG 212*
          • ENG 225
          • ENG 226
          • ENG 227
          • ENG 228
          • ENG 230*
        • Philosophy
          • PHL 101
          • PHL 102
          • PHL 103
        • Religious Studies
          • PHL 104*
        • Interdisciplinary Humanities
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
      • Fine Arts
        • Performing Arts
          • MUS 201
          • THE 141
        • Visual Arts
          • ART 118*
          • ART 119
          • ART 120
          • ART 121A
          • ART 122A
          • HUM 112
        • Interdisciplinary Fine Arts
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
    • Physical and Life Sciences (7 to 8 semester hours)

      One course must be selected from Life Science and one course from Physical Science. At least one course must be a laboratory science course (LAB).

      • Life Sciences
        • BIO 103 (LAB)
        • BIO 104
        • BIO 105 (LAB)
        • BIO 123 (LAB)
        • BIO 131 (LAB)
        • BIO 140
      • Physical Sciences
        • CHE 102
        • CHE 103 (LAB)
        • CHE 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 106
        • GSC 115
        • PHY 175 (LAB)
        • PHY 201 (LAB)
        • PHY 211 (LAB)
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)

      Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines. Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Anthropology
        • SOC 115*
        • SOC 116*
      • Economics
        • ECO 211
        • ECO 212
      • History
        • HIS 131
        • HIS 132
        • HIS 155*
        • HIS 221
        • HIS 222
      • Human Geography
        • GEO 122*
      • Political Science
        • PSC 163
        • PSC 164
        • PSC 232
        • PSC 233*B
        • PSC 251*B
        • PSC 261
      • Psychology
        • PSY 103
        • PSY 200
        • PSY 214
        • PSY 215
      • Sociology
        • SOC 111
        • SOC 112
        • SOC 251
  • SVCC Degree Requirements (4 Semester Hours)
    • First Year Experience (1 semester hour)

      (SVCC Requirement-This is not a General Education Core Curriculum IAI course and is not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • FYE 101
    • Personal Health and Development (3 semester hours)

      (SVCC Requirement-These are not General Education Core Curriculum IAI courses and are not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • ART 101
      • ART 113
      • BIO 120
      • BUS 237
      • CIS 109
      • EDU 105
      • MUS 106
      • MUS 155
      • THE 145
      • COM 161
      • THE 232
      • Any 100 level physical education course
  • Additional AS Requirements (6 - 9 semester hours)
    • Mathematics (select from the following one additional mathematics course)
      • MAT 150
      • MAT 203
      • MAT 204
      • MAT 205
      • MAT 211
      • MAT 220
      • MAT 221
      • MAT 230
      • MAT 231
      • MAT 240
    • Life and Physical Sciences (select from the following one additional science course)
      • BIO 111
      • BIO 123
      • BIO 131
      • CHE 106
      • PHY 202
      • PHY 212
  • Major Field Requirements/Transfer Electives (18-23 Semester Hours)

    Students should consult an academic advisor and their transfer institution to determine the specific courses appropriate for their program of study.

  • Total Credit Hours for Degree (64 Semester Hours)

Computer Skills

Students planning to enter virtually every field need to be knowledgeable of the operation and applications of computers.

*Human Diversity

While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC.

All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies 

 

Associate in Engineering Science Degree

Baccalaureate engineering programs are highly structured in order to meet the standards established by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for candidates seeking state of Illinois registration as a professional engineer. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an associate in engineering science degree prior to transferring to a four-year institution. The AES degree does not include the entire Illinois general education core curriculum (GECC). Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

To transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate engineering program, students must complete all essential prerequisite courses. Since admission is highly competitive, completion of the suggested courses does not guarantee admission at the four-year college of the student's choice.

  • General Education (32 Semester Hours)
    • Communications (6 semester hours)

      A grade of “C” or better is required in the Communication writing courses.

      • ENG 101
      • ENG 103
    • Humanities/Fine Arts (3-6 semester hours)

      Students are encouraged to select at least one course in either the humanities/fine arts or the social and behavioral sciences that emphasizes non-Western cultures or minority cultures within the United States. If two courses are selected in a field, a two-semester sequence in the same discipline is recommended. If only three hours are completed in Humanities/Fine Arts, then six hours are required in Social/Behavioral Sciences and vice-versa. Certain specialty areas in engineering require only three hours (1 course) from both Humanities/Fine Arts and Social/Behavioral Sciences. In turn, more credit hours are required in engineering specialty courses. Refer to AES degree chart in the SVCC catalog for specific course recommendations by specialty area. Also, see an academic advisor to complete required paperwork (substitution form) to document this combination of courses. Interdisciplinary courses encompassing both the humanities and the fine arts may be used for either category. Please refer to the Associate in Engineering Science Degree Chart link below. See an Academic Advisor to complete required paperwork for this program. Associate in Engineering Science Degree Chart: https://www.svcc.edu/catalog/2020-21/-files/aes-chart.pdf

      • Humanities (6 semester hours)

        Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized toward general education credit

        • Foreign Language
          • LAN 262
        • Literature
          • ENG 160
          • ENG 201
          • ENG 203
          • ENG 212*
          • ENG 225
          • ENG 226
          • ENG 227
          • ENG 228
          • ENG 230*
        • Philosophy
          • PHL 101
          • PHL 102
          • PHL 103
        • Religious Studies
          • PHL 104*
        • Interdisciplinary Humanities
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
      • Fine Arts
        • Performing Arts
          • MUS 201
          • THE 141
        • Visual Arts
          • ART 118*
          • ART 119
          • ART 120
          • ART 121A
          • ART 122A
          • HUM 112
        • Interdisciplinary Fine Arts
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (3-6 semester hours)

      Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Anthropology
        • SOC 115*
        • SOC 116*
      • Economics
        • ECO 211
        • ECO 212
      • History
        • HIS 131
        • HIS 132
        • HIS 155*
        • HIS 221
        • HIS 222
      • Human Geography
        • GEO 122*
      • Political Science
        • PSC 163
        • PSC 164
        • PSC 232
        • PSC 233*B
        • PSC 251*B
        • PSC 261
      • Psychology
        • PSY 103
        • PSY 200
        • PSY 214
        • PSY 215
      • Sociology
        • SOC 111
        • SOC 112
        • SOC 251
    • Science (5 semester hours)
      • Science
        • CHE 105
    • Mathematics (12 semester hours)
      • Mathematics
        • MAT 203
        • MAT 204
        • MAT 205
  • Required Prerequisite Courses (16-21 Semester Hours)

    If students opt not to take PHY 213, more credits will need to be completed in Engineering Specialty Courses to equal 64 total credits.

    • Mathematics (3 semester hours)
      • MAT 211
    • Science (10-15 semester hours)
      • PHY 211
      • PHY 212
      • PHY 213 optional
    • Computer Programming (3 semester hours)

      MAT 150 or CIS 207 or CIS programming course - Structured Language.

  • Engineering Specialty Courses (10-15 Semester Hours)
    • Engineering Specialty Courses
      • BIO 105
      • BIO 131
      • CHE 106
      • CHE 201
      • CHE 202
      • CIS 208
      • EGR 103
      • PHY 221
      • PHY 222
      • PHY 246
      • PHY 247
  • SVCC Degree Requirements (1 Semester Hour)
    • First Year Experience (1 semester hour)

      (SVCC Requirement-This is not a General Education Core Curriculum IAI course and is not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • FYE 101
  • Total Credit Hours for Degree (64 Semester Hours)

*Human Diversity

While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC.

All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies 

Associate in Fine Arts Degree - Art

 

The associate in fine arts (A.F.A.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art. Baccalaureate degree programs in the fine arts are highly structured and require many sequential courses in the major field at the lower-division level. As a result, the A.F.A. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

  • General Education (31-33 Semester Hours)
    • Communications (9 semester hours)

      A grade of “C” or better is required in the Communication writing courses.

      • ENG 101
      • ENG 103
      • COM 131
    • Mathematics (3-4 semester hours)
      • MAT 111
      • MAT 115
      • MAT 203
      • MAT 204
      • MAT 205
      • MAT 220
      • MAT 221
      • MAT 230
      • MAT 240
    • Humanities (6 semester hours)

      Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized toward general education credit

      • Foreign Language
        • LAN 262
      • Literature
        • ENG 160
        • ENG 201
        • ENG 203
        • ENG 212*
        • ENG 225
        • ENG 226
        • ENG 227
        • ENG 228
        • ENG 230*
      • Philosophy
        • PHL 101
        • PHL 102
        • PHL 103
      • Religious Studies
        • PHL 104*
      • Interdisciplinary Humanities
        • HUM 150*
        • HUM 210
    • Physical and Life Sciences (7-8 semester hours)

      One course must be selected from Life Science and one course from Physical Science. At least one course must be a laboratory course (LAB).

      • Life Sciences
        • BIO 103 (LAB)
        • BIO 104
        • BIO 105 (LAB)
        • BIO 123 (LAB)
        • BIO 131 (LAB)
        • BIO 140
      • Physical Sciences
        • CHE 102
        • CHE 103 (LAB)
        • CHE 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 106
        • GSC 115
        • PHY 175 (LAB)
        • PHY 201 (LAB)
        • PHY 211 (LAB)
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)

      Only one course noted with identical subscript letters can be utilized towards general education credit.

      • Anthropology
        • SOC 115*
        • SOC 116*
      • Economics
        • ECO 211
        • ECO 212
      • History
        • HIS 131
        • HIS 132
        • HIS 155*
        • HIS 221
        • HIS 222
      • Human Geography
        • GEO 122*
      • Political Science
        • PSC 163
        • PSC 164
        • PSC 232
        • PSC 233*B
        • PSC 251*B
        • PSC 261
      • Psychology
        • PSY 103
        • PSY 200
        • PSY 214
        • PSY 215
      • Sociology
        • SOC 111
        • SOC 112
        • SOC 251
  • SVCC Degree Requirements (4 Semester Hours)
    • First Year Experience (1 semester hour)

      (SVCC Requirement-This is not a General Education Core Curriculum IAI course and is not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • FYE 101
    • Personal Health and Development (0-3 semester hours)

      (SVCC Requirement-These are not General Education Core Curriculum IAI courses and are not required by the State for degree completion.) Art students should choose courses from their prospective majors which will be applied to this requirement. Transfer students are encouraged to develop a portfolio of their work. Art majors choose art courses in the Art Requirements - Art Core Requirements area to fulfill this SVCC requirement (ART 101 or 113)

    • Art Core Requirements (18-21 Semester Hours)

      A portfolio review is usually required for transfer.

      • Art History I and II (6 semester hours)
        • ART 120
        • ART 121
      • Drawing I and II (6 semester hours)
        • ART 113
        • ART 114
      • Two-Dimensional Design (3 semester hours)
        • ART 101
      • Three-Dimensional Design (3 semester hours
        • ART 102
      • Additional Requirement (3 semester hours)
        • ART 122
    • Elective Media Specific Studio Art Courses (12 Semester Hours)
      • ART 203
      • ART 204
      • ART 213
      • ART 214
      • ART 225
      • ART 230
      • ART 250
      • ART 251
  • Total Credit Hours for A.F.A. - Art Degree (65-67 Semester Hours)

*Human Diversity

While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC.

 

All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See  Policies.

Non-Specialized Programs

Associate in Liberal Studies

Associate in Liberal Studies

The associate in liberal studies (A.L.S.) degree is a non-specialized degree that is tailored to meet the needs and interests of the individual student. Both transfer and career education courses may be used to fulfill the requirements for this alternate degree program. The A.L.S. degree is designed for the student who may not want to work toward the more traditional specialized degrees. While not intended to be a transfer degree, the A.L.S. degree is designed to enable the student to articulate with a bachelor of general studies/liberal studies degree program at participating Illinois universities. (Sauk's articulation agreements with Illinois universities do not apply to the associate in liberal studies.)

Degree Requirements

The specific requirements for the A.L.S. degree are as follows:

  1. Complete a minimum of 64 semester hours of course work at the 100 level, or above, with an average grade of "C" or better.
  2. Develop and fulfill a statement of educational goals and a specific written program of course work which must be approved and signed by the student, his or her academic advisor. This written program must be filled out and signed prior to the completion of the last 16 semester hours of course work that are to be used to satisfy requirements for the degree. The program cannot be changed without the consent of both the student and academic advisor.
  3. Complete 21 hours of general education plus one hour First Year Experience (FYE) course as outlined below: General education at Sauk Valley Community College is designed to provide learning experiences that prepare the student to assume a productive role as a citizen, to understand and function successfully in the world, and to prepare for lifelong learning. General education will provide the opportunity for the student to acquire the knowledge, skills, insights and sensitivity needed to function as an educated person. Courses for general education for the A.L.S. degree must be in compliance with general education from A.S., A.A., or A.A.S. degree requirements.
    1. Communications:  6 hours 
    2. Social and Behavioral Sciences:  3 hours 
    3. Humanities and Fine Arts:  3 hours 
    4. Life and Physical Science/Math:  6 hours 
    5. General Education Elective:  3 hours 
    6. SVCC Degree Requirement: FYE 101: 1 hour
  4. Complete a minimum of 16 semester hours of course work at Sauk Valley Community College.
  5. All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See  Policies .

Career Programs

Associate in Applied Science

The associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree is designed as a career program for students seeking specialized education which prepares them to enter or to advance in employment. These programs are not designed to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The programs of study have been developed by the SVCC faculty with the assistance of local citizens serving on career and technical (CTE) workforce councils and with the approval of personnel from state agencies.

The guidelines for an associate in applied science degree are as follows:

  • General Education Requirements (Minimum of 15 Semester Hours)
    • Communications (3 - 9) semester hours)

      A grade of "C" or better is required in Communication Writing courses.

      • ENG 101 and one or more of the following, is required: ENG 103, ENG 111, COM 131.
    • Mathematics (0 -3 semester hours)
      • MAT 106
      • MAT 110
      • MAT 111
      • MAT 115
      • MAT 121
      • MAT 122
      • MAT 203
      • MAT 204
      • MAT 205
      • MAT 220
      • MAT 221
      • MAT 230
      • MAT 240
      • See the specific program for recommended mathematics course or sequence.
    • Humanities and Fine Arts (0 - 3 semester hours)
      • Humanities
        • Foreign Language
          • LAN 101**
          • LAN 102**
          • LAN 151**
          • LAN 152**
          • LAN 161
          • LAN 162
          • LAN 201**
          • LAN 202**
          • LAN 251**
          • LAN 252**
          • LAN 261
          • LAN 262
        • Literature
          • ENG 160
          • ENG 201
          • ENG 203
          • ENG 212*
          • ENG 225
          • ENG 226
          • ENG 227
          • ENG 228
          • ENG 230*
        • Philosophy
          • PHL 101
          • PHL 102
          • PHL 103
        • Religious Studies
          • PHL 104*
        • Interdisciplinary Humanities/Fine Arts
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
      • Fine Arts
        • Performing Arts
          • MUS 201
          • THE 141
          • COM 161
          • THE 232
        • Visual Arts
          • ART 118*
          • ART 119
          • ART 120
          • ART 121
          • ART 122
          • HUM 112
        • Interdisciplinary Humanities/Fine Arts
          • HUM 150*
          • HUM 210
    • Physical and Life Science (0 - 8 semester hours)

      Selection must be from one of the following courses, unless a chosen applied science curriculum has a specific science requirement.

      • Life Sciences
        • BIO 103 (LAB)
        • BIO 104
        • BIO 105 (LAB)
        • BIO 108 (LAB)
        • BIO 109 (LAB)
        • BIO 110 (LAB)
        • BIO 111 (LAB)
        • BIO 120
        • BIO 123 (LAB)
        • BIO 131 (LAB)
        • BIO 140
      • Physical Sciences
        • CHE 102
        • CHE 103 (LAB)
        • CHE 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 105 (LAB)
        • GSC 106
        • GSC 115
        • PHY 175 (LAB)
        • PHY 201 (LAB)
        • PHY 211 (LAB)
    • Social and Behavioral Science (0-6 semester hours)
      • Anthropology
        • SOC 115*
        • SOC 116*
      • Economics
        • ECO 211
        • ECO 212
      • History
        • HIS 131
        • HIS 132
        • HIS 155*
        • HIS 221
        • HIS 222
      • Human Geography
        • GEO 122*
      • Political Science
        • PSC 163
        • PSC 164
        • PSC 232
        • PSC 233*
        • PSC 251*
        • PSC 261
      • Psychology
        • PSY 103
        • PSY 200
        • PSY 214
        • PSY 215
      • Sociology
        • SOC 111
        • SOC 112
        • SOC 251
  • SVCC Degree Requirements (1 Semester Hour)
    • First Year Experience (1 semester hour)

      (SVCC Requirement-This is not a General Education Core Curriculum IAI course and is not required by the State for degree completion.)

      • FYE 101
  • Major Field Related Requirements/Electives (35-52.5 Semester Hours)
  • Total Credit Hours for Degree (Minimum of 60 Semester Hours)

Major Field Course Work

Course work in the major field must satisfy the requirements of the specified curriculum in which the student is enrolled. See the appropriate program of the catalog for the required courses and number of credit hours that must be completed.

*Human Diversity

While General Education Core Curriculum courses incorporate as much as possible throughout all of its courses, authors, sources, and topics that expose students to the realities of a culturally diverse world, several courses (marked with an asterisk) are designed specifically to recognize and engender respect and value for human diversity. Therefore, as a state mandate, one or more courses incorporating human diversity for the purpose of improving human relations throughout an educated citizenry should be completed as part of graduation from SVCC.

All students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies 

** These courses Not Currently Offered

Certificate Programs

Certificate Programs

Requirements

Certificate programs consist of a series of prescribed courses (in a specialized field) which prepare the student for entry level occupations. These programs range from 2 to 43 semester hours and are designed to be completed in less than two years. Certificate programs require few general education requirements and thus are designed to develop the technical competence of the student. Many certificate programs contain the core courses of the associate in applied science degree program in the same field, thereby allowing the student to continue with additional study and earn an A.A.S. degree.

Certificate students must satisfy graduation requirements. See Policies.

Internships

Internships

In several areas of study, SVCC includes an internship as an additional credit course. It is an academic opportunity to expand students' horizons into the career environment they are studying. An internship is a cooperative effort between a business or health care institution and the college that combines education and experience for students and is closely monitored by the student, SVCC faculty, and the employer. An internship allows students to gain up to three credit hours in a semester toward their Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree or occupational certificate. The student commits to working the proscribed time in the internship position. Internships in the curriculum include:

  • Accounting (ACC)
  • Agriculture (AGR)
  • Business Administration-(Management-Marketing) (BUS)
  • Computer Information Systems (Computer Software Technology-Windows Server Administrator) (CIS)
  • Criminal Justice (CJS)
  • Early Childhood Education (ECE)
  • Industrial/Technical (IND)

For more Information about internship opportunities in a particular instructional area, contact the internship instructor or Josh West, Dean of Business, Career and Technical Programs at 815/835-6334.

Educational Guarantees

Educational Guarantees

Transfer Degree Guarantee

It is the policy of Sauk Valley Community College that students graduating with the associate in arts, associate in science, associate in engineering science, or associate in fine arts, be guaranteed the transferability of baccalaureate-oriented/university-parallel credit courses to public Illinois universities. Should such an appropriately approved course not transfer, the student will be offered a refund of the tuition paid for the non-transferring course credit, subject to the following conditions:

  1. All course work for the degree must have been completed at Sauk Valley Community College.
  2. The student must have met with an academic advisor, declared a major for a specified public Illinois university to which the student will transfer, and completed an approved academic plan.
    1. Approved courses must have appeared as transferable on the course equivalency list from the university declared as the transfer university by the student at the time the student met with the academic advisor.
    2. The student must have followed the academic plan.
  3. The student must have graduated within three years of having an academic plan approved.
  4. The student must have transferred to the declared public Illinois university within one year after receiving the A.A., A.S., A.E.S., or A.F.A. degree from SVCC.
  5. The student must have requested and received an evaluation by the transfer institution immediately upon transfer of the SVCC courses.
  6. The student must have verified to SVCC in writing within 60 days after being notified by the transfer institution that a course had been refused for credit and made a claim for the refund at that time. The written statement must have stated: the reasons for the refusal by the institution; the name, position, address and telephone number of the official notifying the student of the refusal; and, a copy of the correspondence and/or documentation provided by the transfer institution of the non-acceptance of the course.
    NOTE: An institution may award fewer credits for the course than SVCC awards; the guarantee applies only when the transfer institution awards no credit.
  7. The course must have been completed with a grade of "A," "B," or "C."
  8. Any refund would be based upon tuition paid at the time the course was completed.
  9. The student must cooperate with SVCC personnel in resolving any transfer difficulties by notifying SVCC and submitting any necessary consent or releases for student records and/or correspondence.
  10. This policy does not guarantee that the letter grade earned at SVCC for the course will be considered by the transfer institution for determining the student's grade point average, honors, or other purposes, but only that the transfer institution will give at least elective course credit for some purpose. This program does not provide for the refund of tuition for any other course, any fees or any incidental or consequential expenses or claims whatsoever, but only the tuition for the course guaranteed for which course credit is not given by the transfer institution.
  11. Students' rights under this program are personal and may not be assigned or transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily. Further, no refund is required or will be made if a scholarship, financial aid program, grant or other source was used to pay the tuition.
  12. Claims against the Transfer Program Guarantee must be filed with the Dean of Student Services within the prescribed time limits as set forth above.
  13. Sauk Valley Community College will first attempt to resolve the issue with the transfer institution. If favorable resolution is not achieved within 120 days, the reimbursement will be authorized. The sole recourse available to participants enrolled pursuant to this guarantee program shall be limited to the tuition reimbursement of the class at the time of enrollment, with no recourse for damages, court costs, or any associated costs of any kind or right to appeal beyond those specified by SVCC. 

Additional Notes:

  1. Developmental courses at the College are not included as a part of this guarantee.
  2. Courses not awarded credit as a result of the student exceeding the maximum number of credits allowed in transfer are not included as a part of this guarantee.
  3. This guarantee does not guarantee that the graduate will be admitted to a university; each university determines its own admission criteria.

Occupational Degree Guarantee

It is the policy of Sauk Valley Community College that students graduating with the associate in applied science degree or certificate requiring 20 hours or more in a career/occupational program be guaranteed competency in the skills represented in the degree or certificate. Should the graduate not be able to demonstrate the skills expected by his or her employer, the student will be offered up to 12 credit hours of retraining for a degree or 6 credit hours of retraining for a certificate, tuition free, subject to the following conditions:

  1. All course work for the degree or certificate must have been completed at the College and a grade of "C" or better earned.
  2. The student must have completed the program within four years of initial enrollment at the College.
  3. The student must have been employed full-time in a job directly related to his/her program of study within one year after graduation from the College's A.A.S. degree or certificate program.
  4. The employer must verify in writing to the College administration within 90 days of the graduate's initial employment listing the specific skills in which the graduate lacks competency as represented by the degree or certificate information printed in the College catalog from which the graduate received the degree. Courses for which credit was granted by articulation are not subject to this policy. The college administration and faculty will investigate and determine if such deficiencies are evident.
  5. A written retraining plan must be mutually developed by the employer, the graduate, the appropriate dean, and the career/occupational program teacher, specifying the courses needed for retraining and the competencies to be mastered. The retraining plan will not be successfully completed until the student has demonstrated that such competencies have been re mediated.
  6. The retraining will be limited to courses regularly offered by the College and must be completed within one calendar year from the time the educational plan is agreed upon. Should the student audit, withdraw, or not receive a passing grade in a course identified in the retraining plan, it will be included in the offer of credit hours.
  7. Prerequisites and other admission requirements for retraining courses must be met and are not included in the courses covered by this guarantee.
  8. Books, course fees, and supplies will be included within the guarantee. Other course costs are not included.
  9. This guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career or occupation.
  10. Students' rights under this program are personal and may not be assigned or transferred voluntarily or involuntarily. Further, no refund is required or will be made.
  11. Claims against the Occupational Program Guarantee must be filed with the appropriate College Administrator within the prescribed time limits as set forth above.
  12. The sole recourse available to participants enrolled in this guarantee program shall be limited to tuition, books and supplies reimbursement for the retraining in the same class with no recourse for damages, court costs, or any associated costs of any kind or right to appeal beyond those specified by the College.