Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Program Description

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is a college transfer degree consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer classes that have been approved for transfer through the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA).  The A.A. degree is designed for students who wish to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program at a community college, transfer to a four-year institution with junior status, and major in a liberal or creative arts field.  An A.A. degree prepares graduates for the following four-year degree programs: psychology, social work, English, liberal arts, and other disciplines that are focused in liberal or creative arts.  Within the degree program, the student will have the opportunities for achievement in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use.

Program Curriculum & Requirements

The A.A. degree requires completion of 45 semester hours of credit in general education and 15 semester hours of credit in Other Required Hours.  General education courses consist of (1) Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses, which will allow students to receive credit for lower-level general education courses at the transfer institution, and (2) Additional General Education courses which are chosen based on the student’s intended major at the transfer institution.  Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with junior status.  Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.

Note: Completion of an A.A., A.S., A.F.A. in Music, A.A.T.P., or A.S.T.P. degree does not guarantee admission to a four-year college or university or to specific programs.