Students in Career Technical Education programs are strongly encouraged to obtain an Associate’s Degree. This can be done by selecting a major related to the certificate program, or by pursuing a more general major, such as Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. To be awarded an Associate’s Degree, a student must complete at least 18 units of major requirements, as well as other degree requirements. (Please see the section, “Degree Requirements,” in this Catalog.) 
Degree programs are often available for many occupational fields that also have a Certificate of Achievement program. A student who has completed a certificate program may be awarded the Associate’s Degree in a later semester providing all major and degree requirements are met.