Associate of Arts

Campus Location: Calmar, Peosta, Dubuque, Online

Program Entry: Enrollment may occur during any term

Award: Associate of Arts degree

Description:  The Associate of Arts degree provides a course of study which, if satisfactorily completed, will readily transfer to most colleges and universities. College parallel-transfer curricula permit completion of the equivalent of the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program in numerous institutions.

General education core courses completed for the degree are useful regardless of whether you terminate your formal education at NICC or continue your formal education at another college. Recommendations for electives related to areas of interest are provided to guide students interested in pursuing a four-year degree in the area of emphasis.

If you plan to transfer to a four-year college, you should select courses to satisfy requirements of the specific institution to which you intend to transfer. Consult your advisor at the transferring four-year institution anytime you have questions about course selection.

The Associate of Arts degree is a useful beginning if you want to get a professional degree in business, education, engineering, social work and other areas.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with various audiences using various methods.
• Students will demonstrate competence in problem-solving, logical thinking, and the application of mathematical processes.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply fundamental concepts in the natural sciences.
• Students will understand the methods and models by which the social sciences study individuals, cultures, and societies.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultures, historical viewpoints, and global perspectives.
• Students will locate, evaluate, and responsibly use and share information.

Enrollment Process: See Enrollment Process  

General Degree Requirements

1. The Associate of Arts degree will include a minimum of 60 semester hours of courses designed and acceptable for transfer, and may include up to 16 semester hours of career-technical courses. Note: Students not ready to begin college/transfer level writing and math courses may need additional prerequisite coursework that requires them to exceed the 60 credit hours minimum.
2. Students transferring an Associate of Arts degree to a public university must have maintained a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 on all graded arts and sciences courses acceptable for transfer.
3. A 2.0 cumulative GPA and a passing grade in all required courses.
4. Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours at NICC that meet degree requirements.
5. Completion of SDV 179 - The College Experience  course.