AA, General Program

Overview

Comprised primarily of 100- and 200-level courses, the Associate of Arts (AA) provides a strong foundation in quantitative literacy, written and oral communication, natural and social sciences, humanities, and fine arts. The AA prepares students for career advancement or transition to a baccalaureate program. Students may complete the AA as a stand-alone degree or as preparation for a subsequent baccalaureate degree. A student who graduates with the AA has completed all General Education Requirements for a baccalaureate degree except for an integrative capstone course (an upper-division course usually taken later in a student's baccalaureate program). Early completion of General Education Requirements provides opportunities for students to strengthen basic intellectual skills, increase their knowledge of traditional academic disciplines, and meet prerequisites for upper-division courses. AA students can pursue general studies or, with the assistance of an academic advisor, tailor the AA program to prepare for a particular baccalaureate major.

graduates in white caps and gowns at a ceremony

 For more information and advising please contact Barbara Brown at bebrown@alaska.edu or 907-486-1211.

 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an AA degree from UAA will be able to do the following at the introductory level:

  • Communicate effectively
  • Think critically
  • Evaluate analytically
  • Reason empirically.

Students in class

What classes will I take?

Graduation Requirements

Requirements for the Associate of Arts degree

A total of 60 credits is required for the Associate of Arts (AA). Students who are interested in the AA alone have a wide range of choices to meet degree requirements. Requirements in basic skills and in disciplinary areas may be met by selecting any course in the appropriate category from the list of General Education courses (GERs). In addition, students complete 26 credits of electives.

AA students who wish to go on to a baccalaureate degree after completing the AA are advised to meet AA requirements with courses that can be applied flexibly either to the AA or to baccalaureate degree requirements. AA students who wish to prepare for a specific baccalaureate major should consult an advisor for recommended courses.

 

What can I do with this degree?

An associate degree in general studies is usually used as a stepping stone since it prepares students well for further study at a bachelor-degree granting college or university.

Skills

Students gain employable skills: employers consistently report valuing the ability to think critically, solve complex problems and communicate clearly more than a particular major.*

Earning Potential

In general, those with an associate's degree earn more than those with a high school diploma or GED.  In Alaska, that wage gap ranges from $10,000 to $14,000 annually.**

Job Outlook

The job market, even during recession and recovery, are growing for those with an education beyond a high school diploma.***

Students in class

For more information and advising please contact Barbara Brown at bebrown@alaska.edu or 907-486-1211.

More Than a Major, 2013

**Difference in Median Earnings Between a High School Diploma and an Associate Degree