This interaction between the College and the state office ensures that the College’s programs are comparable to programs at other institutions and in compliance with state guidelines and the North Carolina Administrative Code, which specifies the minimum program length for Associate Degrees (3). Based upon these guidelines, Associate of Applied Science degree programs require 64-76 semester credit hours. Associate of Arts degree programs require 64-65 semester credit hours. The System Office further specifies that certificate programs must fall between 12-18 credit hours, and diploma programs require 36-48 credit hours (4). Each of the programs of study offered by the College meets these requirements for program length (5, 6).