Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Requirements

Certain courses in the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree are accepted in baccalaureate programs, but the AAS degree is primarily designed for students seeking to enter an occupational field upon completion. Following are the AAS degree minimum requirements per Alabama State Board of Education policy 712.01.

Area I: Written Composition .................................................................................... 3-6 credit hours

Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts ........................................................................... 3-6 credit hours

In addition to literature, disciplines include but are not limited to: area/ethnic studies, art and art history, foreign languages, music and music history, philosophy, ethics, religious studies, speech, theatre and dance.

Students must take a minimum of nine hours in Area I and area II, which could include six hours in English Composition I and II and three hours in Area II, or three hours in Written Composition I and three hours in technical writing and three hours in Area II, or three hours in Area I and six hours in Area II, or three hours in Area I with three hours in speech in Area II plus three additional hours in Area I or II.

NOTE: Individual colleges may establish specific course requirements within program of study parameters as set forth in the general education core for the Associate in Applied Science degree.

Area III. Natural Science and Mathematics ............................................................. 6-11 credit hours

Disciplines in the natural sciences include: astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, physical geography, earth science, physics, and physical science.

Students must take a minimum of three hours in mathematics.

Area IV. History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences .................................................. 3-6 credit hours

The social and behavioral sciences include, but are not limited to, anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology. Students in programs for which the AAS represents the terminal award are not required to complete the six semester hour sequence in Area IV.

Area V: General Education Core, Technical Concentration, and Electives … 31-61 credit hours

Area V courses are electives and other courses appropriate to the student’s degree requirements and major.

Semester Credit Hour Range of AAS Degree ............................................................ 60-76 credit hours

Students planning programs of study for which the AAS does not represent the terminal degree, and for which national or regional programmatic licensure and certification are required, are encouraged to integrate general studies transfer courses whenever possible.