Associate of Arts (AA): A degree designed to transfer to a four-year college or university by delivering typical freshman and sophomore year general education coursework. An AA degree is not awarded in a specific subject area, but its foundational courses allow the student to major in a subject area in his/her junior year.
(Program Code: 300)
Associate of Science (AS): A degree similar to the AA degree, but with a strong emphasis on the natural sciences and mathematics. It is designed for the student who will transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue studies of a scientific nature.
(Program Code: 400)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS): A degree designed for the student who plans to pursue a career or advance his/her career immediately upon graduation. Students planning to pursue a bachelorʼs degree using the AAS as a foundation should carefully choose their coursework with an advisor to maximize transferability. The AAS degree is awarded in specific areas of expertise, e.g., the AAS in Business Management and Early Childhood Education.
Associate of General Studies (AGS): A degree designed for the student wishing flexibility in defining specific educational objectives. It can accommodate the student who plans to transfer as well as one who wishes to pursue a career immediately upon graduation. The AGS degree is not awarded in a specific subject area.
(Program Code: 600)
Certificate: A short-term career program. Most certificates are composed of 10 courses, half the number in the typical associateʼs degree. Often certificates can be earned in one year of full-time enrollment; however, the time may be longer if a student attends part-time. Credits earned toward a certificate can be used to earn an associateʼs degree in the same area.
Certificate of Development: A Certificate of Development has fewer than 30 credit hours and indicates a basic understanding of a subject or a specific skill.
Not sure which path is right for you? Exploring your options is much more effective when you do it with an experienced guide. North Centralʼs academic advisors and counselors can help you set goals and develop a map for achieving them. Call 888-298-6605 or 231-348-6605.
Associate of Arts (AA)
Program Code 300
The Associate of Arts degree is for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
The Associate of Arts degree is appropriate for most transfer programs leading to a bachelorʼs degree. General Education: 39-41 Credit Hours
Communications: 3 credit hours
Mathematics: 4 credit hours
Satisfied by one of the following: Humanities: 9 credit hours
1 course from 3 disciplines: Science: 8-9 credit hours
2 lab courses from 2 disciplines: Social Science: 9-10 credit hours
3 courses from the following list: General Electives: 19-21 credit hours
Electives should be carefully chosen. Note:
To graduate with a degree, a student must complete the total number of credit hours required for the degree being sought, even if courses have been waived or competency has been demonstrated through ACT, COMPASS or CLEP testing scores. *When transferring to another college or university, you may be required to take the courses that were waived or competency demonstrated at North Central.
Associate of Science (AS)
Program Code 400
The Associate of Science degree is for students who plan to pursue a bachelorʼs degree in a science field. General Education: 39-41 Credit Hours
Communications: 3 credit hours
Mathematics: 4 credit hours
Satisfied by one of the following: Humanities: 9 credit hours
1 course from 3 disciplines: Science: 8-9 credit hours
2 lab courses from 2 disciplines: Social Science: 9-10 credit hours
3 courses from the following list: Science and Mathematics Electives: 16 credit hours
Additional science, mathematics and statistics electives are required. Only math courses higher than MATH 130 are eligible as an elective. General Electives: 3-5 credit hours
Electives should be carefully chosen. Note:
To graduate with a degree, a student must complete the total number of credit hours required for the degree being sought, even if courses have been waived or competency has been demonstrated through ACT, COMPASS or CLEP testing scores. *When transferring to another college or university, you may be required to take the courses that were waived or competency demonstrated at North Central.
Associate of General Studies (AGS)
Program Code 600
The Associate of General Studies degree is for students who wish to earn an associateʼs degree in preparation for transfer to a college or university or who are following a planned bachelorʼs degree program with a North Central University Center partner. Students intending to transfer to a Michigan college or university should use electives to satisfy the MACRAO Agreement. An AGS may not be earned concurrently with an AA or AS.
This degree is also ideal for the general studies student who has attended several other colleges and universities and wishes to complete a two-year degree. General Education: 21-24 Credit Hours
Communications: 3 credit hours
Mathematics: 3-4 credit hours
Satisfied by one of the following: Humanities: 3 credit hours
See Humanities Category in MACRAO Agreement Science: 3-4 credit hours
See Science Category in MACRAO Agreement Social Science: 3-4 credit hours
See Social Sciences Category in MACRO Agreement General Electives: 36-39 credit hours
Electives should be carefully chosen. Note:
To graduate with a degree, a student must complete the total number of credit hours required for the degree being sought, even if courses have been waived or competency has been demonstrated through ACT, COMPASS or CLEP testing scores. *When transferring to another college or university, you may be required to take the courses that were waived or competency demonstrated at North Central. |