Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts degree (A.A.) provides a framework for understanding the disciplines and skills of a liberal arts degree, a foundation for further study at the bachelor's degree level, and an initial academic credential required for career advancement. The A.A. is awarded to students who successfully complete the equivalent of two years of undergraduate study. The courses completed for the A.A. count toward all Bachelor of Science degree programs in University College. Students preparing for a career in nursing are encouraged to apply for the Associate in Arts with a concentration in Health Science, and to meet with a University College advisor to select courses that meet admission requirements for Bachelor of Science nursing degree programs.
Requirements
The requirements for the A.A. in University College include:
Total Credit Units: 60
Basic Requirements: 9 to 18 units
- Composition and Rhetoric I
- Composition and Rhetoric II
- One course in oral presentation
Additional Basic Requirements for Associate in Arts with concentration in Business and Communication Studies:
- Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
- One course in applied mathematics or statistics
- One course in information technology
Additional Basic Requirements for Associate in Arts with Concentration in Global Leadership and Management:
- Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
- Economic Statistics
- Technology for Managers
Distribution Requirements: 18 credit units, 6 units in each area, including one course in moral reasoning and one course in quantitative reasoning (latter fulfilled in Basic Requirements for concentration in Business and Communication Studies):
- Natural Sciences/Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
The A.A. in Global Leadership and Management has different distribution requirements; see below*.
Concentration: 18 credit units.
Choose a concentration from: One of these areas:
Anthropology, Business and Communication Studies, Communications and Journalism, Economics, English, Global Leadership and Management*, Health Science, History, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, International Studies, Political Science, Psychology.
or: Divisional concentration in either Social Sciences or Humanities:
- Social Sciences: Select courses from Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Thought and Analysis, others with authorization.
- Humanities: Select courses from Classics, History, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, others with authorization.
* A.A. in Global Leadership and Management Distribution Requirements: Social Sciences, 6 credit units including Introduction to International Politics; Humanities; 6 units including Business Ethics. Concentration in Global Leadership and Management requires 18 credit units, chosen from Global Leadership and Management "Required Major Courses." To see those, click here.
Electives: 6 to 15 credit units
Click here to see the Degree Requirement Worksheet.
Admission and Other Policies
To Apply for Admission to A.A. Degree Program: We strongly recommend that all students seeking admission to University College meet with an academic adviser to discuss their educational interests and goals, transfer credit, distribution requirements, student services, and other issues.
Admission to the Associate in Arts Degree Program Requires:
* at least 6 units of University College course work with minimum 2.7 GPA, or at least 6 units of acceptable transfer credit with minimum 2.7 GPA.
* Be a high school graduate.
Residency Requirement: The final 36 credit units must be completed at Washington University.
Transfer Credit Toward the Degree: No more than 24 credit units may be transferred to the degree.
Concentration: At least half of the concentration must be taken at University College. Concentration courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor to ensure continuity with a B.S. degree in University College.
Graduation: 2.0 minimum overall GPA. A.A. graduates are eligible to apply for admission to a B.S. program in University College and transfer all A.A. courses to the B.S. program of study.
For more information about the Associate in Arts Degree, or to schedule an appointment with an advisor, call (314) 935-6700.
