Academic Programs

Inver Hills Community College offers two-year associate degrees including the general, liberal education Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree; the career-related Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees; and the specialized Associate in Fine Art (A.F.A.) degree. In addition, concentrated programs of study are available in certain areas as certificates.

These degrees and certificates and other programs are described in detail in this section of the website; see the menu at the left.

Sections below explain degree completion policy and, if applicable, how many and which credits must be earned at Inver Hills. Also see the section on Satisfactory Academic Progress below, which outlines required grade-point averages; probation and academic suspension; limits on course withdrawals; maximum time frame and credit limits for financial aid; readmission requirements; and definitions.

To view copies of recent catalogs, visit College Catalog.

Degree completion policy

Students have four years to complete the graduation requirements published in the catalog under which they initially enrolled or in any subsequent catalog published during their enrollment. Students must file an Intent to Graduate Form with a counselor prior to registering for the semester in which they expect to complete their graduation requirements.

Students seeking a certificate are not required to meet with a counselor. Certificate students can obtain the Application for Graduation from a Certificate Program form online and from Enrollment Services.

Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Fine Art degree requirements

1. Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits numbered 1000 or above with a minimum grade-point average of 2.00. (Some degree programs require more than 60 credits.) See the Degrees section for specific distribution requirements.
2. Complete the career program and Liberal Arts Distribution requirements of the degree program.
3. Complete a minimum of 20 credits at Inver Hills. Students who have 11 semester credits at another MnSCU community college, consolidated community/technical college or state university must complete a minimum of nine semester credits at Inver Hills. This requirement is waived for students who have completed at least 40 semester credits at Inver Hills, although approval must be obtained prior to registering for the final nine credits.

Students who enter Inver Hills under the 2005-2007 catalog must have the coursework required for graduation completed prior to fall semester 2011. Students taking more than four years to complete graduation requirements at Inver Hills must follow the curriculum in a catalog under which they were enrolled during the four-year period preceding their date of graduation.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Students must complete a minimum of 13 semester credits while at Inver Hills for the college to certify completion of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. (These final 13 credits must be earned in Inver Hills courses.)

Certificates

Students must complete at least one-third of their credits at Inver Hills for the college to certify completion of a certificate program. Students must complete and submit the application for Graduation from a Certificate Program form, available online and from Enrollment Services.

Commencement

A formal commencement ceremony is planned for the end of each spring semester. Invitations will be sent to all graduation applicants. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

Graduation with honors

Honors medallions are presented annually to graduating students who have attained a minimum of a 3.75 grade-point average for 20 or more grade-point credits earned while attending Inver Hills Community College. Students who graduate with honors will have ?Honors? designated on their final transcript.

Diplomas

Diplomas are ordered following a final, successful graduation requirement check conducted by the Director of Enrollment Services. Diplomas are ordered at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters and at the end of Summer Session. Graduates should receive their diplomas 8 to 10 weeks from the end of the semester.

Degree Verification

Inver Hills Community College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide degree and enrollment verification. National Student Clearinghouse may be contact at:

Web: www.studentclearinghouse.org
Phone: (703) 742-4200
Fax: (703) 742-4239
E-mail: degreeverify@studentclearinghouse.org
Address: National Student Clearinghouse
13454 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
Herndon, VA 20171

Program Review

Inver Hills Community College maintains a regular program review process for all its academic departments and programs, as required by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. See Program Review Policy and Procedures for information.