2.13 – Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree

A. Purpose

Establish guidelines for the obtainment of an Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.).

B. Policy

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to allow a student who plans to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the general education requirements and electives.

C. Procedures

A student must complete a designated core of general education courses and subject distributions; the remaining hours will consist of electives that are numbered 100 or higher.

Each degree is earned after completing the requirements stated in the student’s assigned catalog.

Through the Curriculum Committee, procedures have been developed to allow for curriculum revisions that may apply to the Associate of Arts degree.

Degree requirements are subject to approval by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

In order for an Associate of Arts degree to be awarded, a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of coursework must be completed in residence.

D. Definitions

In Residence: The requirement that a minimum number of credit hours must be earned through classes offered by any modality at the college.

E. Authority

This policy is maintained under the authority of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

F. Related Policies

2.09 – Course Credit Hour

2.12 – Credit by Exam (Test Out)

2.16 – Dual Credit Delivery Policy

G. Implementation

Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 11/12/01. Revised 03/08/11 and 02/06/12.

Purpose, procedures, responsibilities, and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 01/10/12. Revised on 6/4/19. Set for review in fiscal year 2025 – 2026.