Career Certificates

Career Credit Certificate (Clock Hour Programs)―Overview

The Career Credit Certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of a planned technical credit certificate program of postsecondary studies in a specialized area. A minimum of 25 percent of the program, other than credit-by-examination, must be earned in residence at PHSC. A grade point average of not less than 2.0 or "C" must be achieved to receive a certificate. Only those courses that are part of the program are included in computing the program GPA for career certificate programs.

In order to receive a certificate, students must meet the basic skills requirement for programs of 450 hours or more. PHSC uses the TABE to assess basic skills. TABE remediation is provided in the Academic Success Centers on each campus. Nursing assistant and phlebotomy students do not need to meet the basic skills requirement. Law enforcement and corrections students must meet the basic skills requirements with the Florida Basic Abilities Test (FBAT). Students who have an associate degree or higher, have college-ready scores on a common placement test, or are exempt from common placement testing, may not be required to complete a TABE test.

Additionally, students who complete a Career Certificate or Applied Technology Diploma program requiring state licensure for employment can exempt the TABE test passing score requirement by passing the state licensure exam. To receive an exemption, students must petition the director of admissions and student records in writing and provide official documentation indicating they have passed the licensure exam. Refer to the Basic Skills Requirements for Career Certificate Programs section under Academic Policies for a full list of exemptions and additional details.

Courses in these programs are not considered college credit and will not transfer to a university. Career credit programs are designed to prepare students for an entry-level job. (See Listing of Technical Courses for instructional hours.)