Associate degree programs (A.A. and A.S.) are a minimum of 90 quarter units and include requirements
for a major, general education and in many cases electives.
Units earned toward an associate degree may sometimes also fulfill lower division
requirements for transfer. De Anza also offers Associate Degrees for Transfer (A.A.-T. and A.S.-T.) that provide priority admission consideration for California
State University (CSU) schools.
Certificate programs are focused on a particular area of study and are designed for students who wish to
prepare for immediate employment or upgrade their job skills.
Many certificates have been designed on the ladder concept. For example, courses taken
to fulfill the lowest level Certificate of Achievement (18-26 units) may be applied
to the next level, the Certificate of Achievement-Advanced (27+ units). Then those
units may be applied toward an associate degree.
