Student Information

The College

Porterville College is committed to providing an educational process to enhance the personal worth and intellectual potential of its students and is also dedicated to producing graduates who are prepared for tomorrow's challenges. Statistics prove that Porterville College students who transfer to a four-year college earn grades that are equal to or better than those earned by students who go directly from high school to a fouryear institution. Our vocational graduates enter the work force with a degree or certificate that means quality training to area employers.

The Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff of Porterville College are culturally diverse, academically well qualified and dedicated to helping students reach their full academic potential. We know that student excellence is directly related to superior achievement by our faculty and staff. Professional development, high individual achievement and regional and national recognition for innovative responses to educational needs, make the Porterville College faculty and staff eminently qualified to educate and serve tomorrow's leaders.

Tips on Selecting Classes

Although this section will give you some helpful tips on selecting courses, there is no substitute for seeing a counselor. Each term you should see a counselor to help you plan your academic program and to make sure you are taking the appropriate classes for your educational goals.

What Do The Course Numbers Mean?

The number after the course determines if the course is transferable to a four-year school, counts toward the degree but does not transfer, or is a developmental, skill-building course that does not count toward the degree.

Type of Course # Range

Counts toward degree and is transferable .......................P100-299
Counts toward degree, but does not transfer ...................P01-69
Developmental, does not count toward degree .................P070-89

For example, English P050 counts toward the degree but does not transfer to a four-year school. English P101A counts toward the degree and is also transferable to a four-year school. Not all courses over P100 transfer to the University of California, see your counselor.

What courses do I need to take to complete an Associate Degree?

You need to complete both major requirements and general education. Combining these two areas and, if necessary, elective courses must equal 60 credits total for an Associate degree.

Major Requirements: These requirements are listed in the college catalog and on “major sheets” which are available in the counseling center. You are encouraged to purchase a catalog the first term you enroll. Keep this and refer to it for information throughout your education at Porterville College.

General Education Requirements: Every major requires general education as part of the degree. You should follow the appropriate general education checklist – normally, the one from the term in which you first enter and complete a course at Porterville College. There are three different general education checklists you could follow – please refer to the table below to decide on which checklist is more appropriate for you:

After Receiving Associate Degree at Porterville College:

Consider transferring to a four-year college: for example, a California State University (CSU), in order to do this, follow either the CSU general General Education Breath or IGETC checklists.
To transfer to a University of California (UC), private or out of state university follow the IGETC checklist.
Ask a counselor to explain the requirements of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Transfer Degree (CVHEC). This degree can allow a student that meets the requirment guarantee transfer to a university located in the central valley.