Contra Costa Community College District
EQUIVALENCY POLICY
FOR
DISCIPLINES
REQUIRING THE MASTER'S DEGREE
For establishing the equivalent of the master's degree, possession of at least the equivalent of a Master's in the level of
achievement and breadth and depth of understanding is required.
The candidate making the claim of equivalent qualifications must provide conclusive evidence in regard to I AND
II below:
I. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
BA/BS degree
II. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCIPLINES REQUIRING THE MASTER'S
The major requirements for disciplines normally requiring a master's degree shall be a BA/BS degree in the discipline
of hire or a related discipline as identified on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors' List of
Disciplines, including subsequent revisions.
PLUS
A. 30 additional semester units of upper division or graduate course work in the discipline or a related discipline,
from an accredited institution;
OR
B. Some combination of additional course work or documented study, in the discipline or a related discipline, and
verifiable experience as such accomplishment in the discipline that the combination of course work and
experience equals a Master's degree in breadth, depth and rigor. Appropriate licensure from a professional state
or national boards; e.g., CPA, BRN may be deemed equivalent to some course work.
EVIDENCE
A candidate who does not present conclusive evidence in regard to minimum qualifications indicated above does not
possess the equivalent of the experience in question.
Conclusive evidence for general education, major or experience requirements shall be one or more of the following:
A. an official transcript showing that appropriate courses were successfully completed at an accredited college** or
appropriate foreign institution***;
B. publications that show a command of the major in question;
C. Skills demonstration or verifiable evidence of professional performance, professional and/or public recognition,
professional presentations, computer software development or applications, or related training:
D. verification of employment history.
_______________________________
** College and university degrees and credits submitted for employment, including the equivalency process or
advancement must be from United States Institutions accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies
recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and the United States Secretary of education.
*** All degrees and credits not covered by the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Council on Post-
secondary Accreditation and the United States Secretary of Education including and foreign degrees and credits are
subject to verification through the equivalency process. The candidate bears the responsibility of documenting
equivalency to accredited United States institutions.
