Program Details
Uniform Certificate of General Studies
CertificateTidewater Community College
The Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year public college or university in Virginia. When completed, the UCGS will satisfy lower-division general education requirements at many four-year public and private colleges and universities in Virginia.*
To satisfy the UCGS, students are required to complete the appropriate number of courses in each block as described below. Students should select courses in general education that best align with the major requirements at the four-year Virginia college or university in which they plan to transfer. A grade of "C" or better is required in all coursework for students to earn the UCGS, and only courses completed after May 2020 apply to the UCGS. For more information, visit the Transfer Passport website
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The UCGS provides a guarantee that these 30-32 credits will apply to 30-32 credits of general education requirements at most Virginia colleges. See the Resource Center for a list of participating institutions. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students must select a course for each block from the official UCGS course list.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Students should consult a faculty advisor or counselor to choose courses appropriate to their educational goals or intended major and transfer institution. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | You are encouraged to continue on to the Associate Degree. The more credits you earn prior to transfer, the better your chances of completing a Bachelor's Degree. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | You are encouraged to continue on to the Associate Degree. The more credits you earn prior to transfer, the better your chances of completing a Bachelor's Degree. TCC had 11 graduates in 2020-21, 22 graduates in 2019-20, 57 graduates in 2018-19, 145 graduates in 2017-18, and 140 graduates in 2016-17 in the Certificate program in General Education. |
Related Programs & Certifications
Program Credit Requirements
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
This program is a smaller package of courses (16 credits for Passport and 31-32 credits for UCGS) that are considered the foundation for Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and other transferable associate degrees. When completed following specific guidelines, both the Passport and UCGS are transferable to all public 4-year and most private 4-year institutions in Virginia and apply towards lower-level general education requirements. Explore Transfer Guides for guidance on which courses to take toward an associate degree that will seamlessly transfer to various bachelor's degree programs.
Careers Where This Degree Applies
This program's curriculum focuses on broadly-applicable professional skills and knowledge found in a variety of work settings. Explore career options to discover how this program can meet your career goals as you further your education.
Cost To Complete