Associate of Science Degrees

Statewide Transfer Degree

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree provides a learning foundation in mathematics and the sciences. Although some students work toward the A.S. degree for personal enrichment, many plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to continue work toward a baccalaureate degree and professional training in such fields as engineering, medicine, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics.

You can complete this program in four semesters, going full-time and carrying the required number of hours. You may choose, due to personal circumstances, to extend the amount of time for completion. The A.S. degree is sometimes referred to as a "university parallel" or "transfer" degree. The general education core requirements, when completed at CCD, meet the lower-division general education requirements of all public baccalaureate colleges and universities in the state of Colorado.

As a graduate with an A.S. degree, you may transfer into liberal arts or sciences programs in all public baccalaureate colleges and universities with junior standing. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. You should familiarize yourself with the full requirements of the school you plan to attend. Many of these guides are available in the Career & Transfer Center. You should also check the website of your transfer school for the most recent information.

Requirements

Students must complete a total of 60 credit hours for the associate degree. Requirements in four-year or professional programs sometimes change yearly. Meet regularly with your academic advisor to ensure satisfactory progress is being made toward completion of the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree and transferability of credit to a four-year institution or professional program.

COURSE MAP

NOTE FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO TRANSFER: Students who plan on transferring to a four-year institution should review the transfer requirements of the desired program at that institution prior to selecting courses in the third and fourth semester at CCD. It is strongly recommended that students meet with their advisor for assistance after completing 30 credits toward an Associate of Science degree.

NOTE ON DEGREE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: Students must complete at least 60 credits in order to graduate with an Associate of Science degree. In any semester, if the total load is less than 15 credits, additional credits must be taken in subsequent semesters to reach 60 credits to graduate. Therefore, when making choices about individual classes, be mindful of the transfer requirements of your anticipated four-year institution and of the impact on the 60 credit Associate of Science degree. It is strongly recommended that an individualized degree plan be completed with the help of an advisor.

NOTE ON PREREQUISITES: Students who have taken prerequisite courses longer than seven years ago are strongly encouraged to take an assessment test over the prerequisite material to ensure adequate prior knowledge to be successful in future courses. The outcome of the assessment test will help the student determine whether or not he or she needs to re-take the prerequisite course. The assessment test is available in the CCD Testing Center.

For Health Science degrees, because of program accreditation requirements, students must have completed all science courses within the previous seven years before the first day of class in a health program.