Types of Degrees
Associate of Arts
Degree. An associate of arts degree is awarded upon completion of a 60
credit academic program in the liberal arts and sciences without a named field
of study. It is designed for transfer to baccalaureate degree-granting college
or university.
- At аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±, liberal arts and sciences
courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Arts
degree. Students enrolled in an AA degree program must complete a minimum of 40
liberal arts and sciences semester credits in all ten (10) different transfer
goal areas that fulfill the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. All students much
complete at least one (1) Communications/English course and one (1) Mathematics
course as well as any other liberal arts and sciences courses listed on the
specific program plan.
Associate of Science
Degree. An associate of science degree is awarded upon completion of a 60
credit academic program in scientific, technological, or other professional
fields.
- Liberal arts and sciences
courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Science
degree. Students enrolled in an AS degree program must complete a minimum of 30
liberal arts and sciences semester credits in at least six (6) different
transfer goal areas of the ten (10) goal areas in the Minnesota Transfer
Curriculum. All students much complete at least one (1) Communications/English
course and one (1) Mathematics course as well as any other liberal arts and
sciences courses listed on the specific program plan.
Associate of Applied
Science Degree. An associate of applied science degree is awarded upon
completion of a 60 credit academic program in a named field of study in
scientific, technological or other professional fields. At least 30 credits
shall be in the academic program's occupational or technical field of
preparation.
- Liberal arts and sciences
courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Applied
Science degree. Students enrolled in an AAS degree program must complete a
minimum of 15 liberal arts and sciences semester credits in at least three (3)
different transfer goal areas of the ten (10) goal areas in the Minnesota
Transfer Curriculum. All students must complete at least one (1)
Communications/English course and one (1) Mathematics course as well as any
other liberal arts and sciences courses listed on the specific program plan.
Diploma. A
diploma is awarded upon completion of a 31 to 72 credit undergraduate academic
program that prepares students for employment. A minimum of 24 credits shall be
in occupational or technical courses.
- General education courses numbered 1000 or above meet the requirements for diplomas. Students enrolled in a diploma program must complete the general education/applied courses listed on the specific program plan.
Undergraduate
Certificate. An undergraduate certificate is awarded upon completion of a 9
to 30 credit academic program. An undergraduate certificate may have an
occupational outcome or address a focused area of study.
- General education courses
numbered 1000 or above meet the requirements for certificates.
Developmental General
Education Courses
Courses at this level are numbered "zero" level.
They are designed to enhance the quality of student learning by strengthening
academic skills and do not satisfy program requirements. Based on basic skills
and placement tests* and/or past recent high
school science experience, students enroll in developmental coursework so
they will be better prepared to enter a program major.
Pre Developmental
General Education Courses
Courses at this level are numbered "zero-zero"
level. They are designed to prepare students for developmental coursework and
beyond. They do not satisfy program requirements, cannot count towards credit
load, and are not eligible for financial aid. Based on basic skills/placement
tests, such as the Next-Gen Accuplacer, students enroll in pre developmental
coursework to strengthen their academic skills in math and/or English.
*See the Placement Test Scores chart for more
detailed information.