The Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in
Science (AS) programs provide students with the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate
degree. The AA offers an excellent foundation for degrees in communication, education,
humanities, fine arts, languages, and social and behavioral sciences. The AS offers an
excellent foundation for degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the
natural sciences. If you are an aspiring business or other major not identified above, contact the university with the program that interests you and determine which degree is most
suitable.
A student completing either degree with a grade of "C" or better in every course is
assured of admission into one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina
system, usually transferring in with junior ranking. (Admission into a particular university,
program, or major is not guaranteed.) Even if a student elects not to transfer, an AA or AS
degree improves job marketability.
Students in the AA or AS program who wish to transfer on a faster timetable may complete the
44-hour general education core to earn a Transfer Core Diploma. Although the diploma is not a
degree and does not assure admission into the UNC system, a student who completes the diploma
with a grade of "C" or better in every course will have met all general education
requirements for any university in the system, and upon admission will likely be ranked as a
sophomore.
The core courses are selected from the following categories:
Associate of Arts Core
- 6 credits English
- 12 credits Humanities/Fine Arts
- 12 credits Social/Behavioral Sciences
- 6 credits Mathematics
- 8 credits Natural Sciences
Applicants to the AA or AS program are required to do pre-admission testing. Students with a
verbal score of at least 500 and a math score of at least 500 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test
(SAT) are exempt from further testing. All others must take a placement test to determine
their reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency. Students must place into ENG 111
(Expository Writing) for admission into either program. Prospective students who need
remediation in one or more areas will be placed in appropriate developmental studies courses
designed to give them the best opportunity for success in subsequent college courses.
Developmental courses do not count toward the overall degree credit requirements.
For More Information: Dr. Michael Ellis - Dean of Arts & Science