The Associate in Arts degree is designed to satisfy the lower division requirements of Bachelor in Arts degrees, thereby, preparing students to transfer to upper division baccalaureate program. The studies required in this degree embody the characteristics of an educated person and generally place emphasis upon the social sciences, humanities, and professional fields within these disciplines.
Graduation from an associates program assures that students have been provided a foundation in general education that enables them to appreciate their culture and environment as well as different cultures of the world: the development of a system of personal values based on accepted ethics that lead to civic and social responsibility: and the attainment of communication skills necessary for growth as a lifelong learner. It also assures the employer that graduates have satisfactorily completed at least 60 credit hours.
The Associate in Science degree is designed to prepare people for immediate employment or to satisfy the lower division requirements of Bachelor of Science degrees, thereby, preparing students for the work force or to transfer to an upper division baccalaureate program. A minimum of 6 hours of transfer English and 12 hours of math and/or science are required for this degree and will embody the characteristics of an educated person and generally place emphasis upon the sciences and mathematics that support technical fields of study, such as engineering, agriculture and science-related fields.
Graduation from the associate in science program assures that students have been provided a foundation in general education that enables them to appreciate their culture and environment as well as different cultures of the world; the development of a system of personal values based on accepted ethics that lead to civic and social responsibility; and the attainment of communication skills necessary for growth as a lifelong learner. It also assures the employer that graduates have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 60 credit hours.
The Associate in Applied Science degree is generally awarded to those who successfully complete programs which emphasize preparation in the applied arts and sciences and are designed to lead individuals to employment in a specific career. It also assures the employer that graduates have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 60 credit hours. Although the objective of the associate in applied science degree is to enhance employment opportunities, some baccalaureate degree granting institutions have developed upper division programs to recognize this degree for transfer of credits.
Certificate in Applied Science degree programs, which generally take one year or two semesters but less than two years of full-time course work to complete, are designed for students seeking to learn basic skills or to increase their proficiency in a specific occupational area. In the programs of study, students take skill-development courses in their field of interest and a limited number of related courses. Graduates of these programs may use their credentials to seek immediate employment or may continue their studies in an Associate degree program.
