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The Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree is a two-year credential offered by many institutions in the province of British Columbia and beyond. The Associate Degree program is designed to provide broad-based knowledge and experiences in preparation for entering the workforce, or as a foundation for further undergraduate study.
For full program description, requirements, and policies, see the Academic Calendar.
Our Associate of Arts Degree and Associate of Science concentrations:
Students within the Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree program will gain multi-disciplinary knowledge in the areas of theoretical and applied economics, as well as competitive behavior, economic policy, and the global economy. Students will acquire the tools to be able to analyze the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
The Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree is a foundational degree consisting of 60 credits in total, typically completed over a two-year period. The credits must include a minimum of 36 credits in arts, including at least 18 credits in first- and second-year economics. Upon completion of the Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree program, students may choose to enter the workforce or continue their undergraduate studies.
Transfer to 3rd/4th Year at a University
An Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree may be transferrable to the third year of a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a university.
Some BC universities accept Associate Degree graduates at a reduced GPA requirement. For more information on the option of transferring to a university upon completion of an Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree, please consult the BC Transfer Guide or see an Academic Advisor.
Enter the Workforce
International students completing the Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree program at Alexander College are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Our Associate of Arts Economics Degree Program will enhance skills as well as provide experiences and aptitudes in the following areas:
Ability to use analytical tools to interpret business data
Knowledge of economic theory and its applications
Knowledge of micro and macroeconomic policy issues
Understanding of government policy pertaining to markets
Familiarity with managerial decision making strategies
The Associate of Arts Economics Degree program consists of the following course requirements, which must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater.
I. 6 credits in first-year English
II. 9 credits in science which shall include at least:
III. 36 credits in arts which shall include:
IV. 9 credits in arts, science, or other areas
A concentration in Economics allows students to explore their specific interests in the field.
This degree can also qualify graduates for positions that demand greater responsibility than those achievable with a high school diploma.
With an Associate of Arts (Economics) Degree, students can seek entry-level employment in business, management, and financial services.
Examples of positions in these sectors include, but are not limited to:
Accounting or Bookkeeping Assistant
Assistant Business Analyst
Assistant Manager
Assistant to Financial Consultant
Bank Teller
Marketing Research Associate
Career Advising Services at Alexander College
Resume Writing - Visit the Writing & Learning Centre (WLC) for help with resume writing. Bring a draft of your resume, and our WLC staff can help you to make it great.
Job Search - Visit the Library for help with learning to use job search tools.
We get to know Brian Sung who is the current ACSA president! As a Commerce student, Brian wishes to one day work for an international trade company or an embassy.
Brian also invites any new students to come check out ACSA and play a bigger role at Alexander College.
Watch Videowe shine the spotlight on our AC student, Andrew! Andrew shares more about himself, why he decided on AC, and some advice for future students!
Watch VideoWe get to know Nicole Zou! Nicole has been at Alexander College for 2 years and is looking to one day find a job in commerce.
She is also an active member of ACSA and encourages new students to be brave and try new things.
Watch VideoWe shine the spotlight on our AC student, Dennis! Dennis shares more about himself, why he decided on AC, and some advice for future students!
Watch VideoWe connect with Gladys who graduated from both SFU and Alexander College! Now an English teacher in China, Gladys loves sharing her experiences in Canada with her students and hopes to one day inspire her class to travel and see the world.
Watch VideoHere are the top 5 questions about this program!
An Associate Degree requires completion of 60-64 credits, depending on the concentration area. Most courses carry a value of 3 credits, and some courses (e.g. laboratory sciences) carry a value of 4 credits. Most students will take 19 or 20 courses to complete an Associate degree. This assumes that all courses are passed and the program GPA remains 2.0 (C average) or higher.
The average student will complete 30 credits (10 courses) per year, based on taking 3 courses each term (not including summer intensive term). At this rate, most students complete the program requirements in approximately 2 years of study.
The exact duration of the program depends on various factors, e.g. the number of courses taken each term, the grades achieved in the courses, whether extra courses are taken during the summer term, whether the student has any transfer credit, etc.
Yes! Alexander College is a member of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) and we have transfer credit agreements for thousands of courses offered by other institutions in BC. If you have taken post-secondary coursework at any accredited, degree-granting post-secondary institution in Canada or anywhere in the world, we can evaluate your coursework to determine if any credit from your prior studies can be applied toward your Associate degree.
In addition to the requirement to complete 60 credits in specific subject/program areas, the program also requires a minimum program GPA of 2.0 (C average). This average is calculated based on the grades obtained in all courses which are used to meet requirements of the degree.
On completion of an Associate degree, graduates have several options:
Transfer to Bachelor degree program – many institutions in BC and elsewhere will grant Associate degree holders priority admission and/or block transfer of 60 credits towards a Bachelor degree program.
Entry into the workforce – use the skills you have obtained during your studies in an exciting new career. If you are an international student, you may also be eligible to apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit after graduation.
Looking to start the application process? You can apply online, review admissions requirements or request additional information below.
Looking to start the application process? Apply to AC here
You can apply online above or request additional information below.
