Cost & earnings at St. Petersburg College What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Associate in Science (A.S.) is a two-year, career-focused degree designed for students aiming to enter the workforce immediately or later continue toward a bachelor’s. It fits applicants seeking a mix of general education foundations and substantial hands-on, specialized coursework tied to local employment needs.
Coursework is divided into General Education and Specialized courses. By law, all A.S. programs contain at least 15 General Education credits, with a minimum of 3 credits from core courses in each of the five Gen Ed categories: Communication, Mathematics, Social & Behavioral Science, Natural Science and Humanities. General Education at SPC aims to develop foundational knowledge and critical skills for continued study and community engagement. The remaining specialized classes—typically 42–45 credits—focus on practical, occupation-specific competencies to prepare graduates for immediate employment. Many A.S. programs include industry certifications covered as part of tuition and provide work-based internships for applied experience.
The program summary applies beginning Fall 2026; students should check Titan Hub/MySPC for specific degree requirements for their effective term and follow the Academic Pathway that shows recommended course order, semester offerings, and prerequisites. To graduate students must complete all core courses for their program and earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all coursework and in courses completed at SPC. Associate in Science students entering FCS or SUS institutions from 2021–2022 onward must satisfy civic literacy rules by completing a civic literacy course and passing the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).
A.S. degrees are designed for direct entry into the workforce in fields aligned with local demand; specialized coursework and included certifications signal readiness for industry roles. Graduates may also pursue SPC bachelor’s degrees that have been custom-made to accept A.S. credits if they choose to advance academically.
Many A.S. programs at SPC cover the cost of industry certifications as part of tuition, reducing out-of-pocket credentialing expenses. Students should consult SPC financial aid resources and the Academic Pathway for additional funding opportunities and guidance.
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