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ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM

Download Program Planning Worksheet (PDF)

Overview

2 Years Duration
Undergraduate Degree
60 Credit Hours
Transferability

The Associate of Arts Degree is a two-year undergraduate degree 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 concentrations:

Arts Business Economics Psychology Sociology Mathematics

Our Associate of Science Degree concentrations:

Science Computer Science Mathematics

Program Description

What You Will Learn

Students within the Associate of Arts Degree program will gain multi-disciplinary knowledge in the faculties of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and develop their critical thinking and research skills. The program provides a comprehensive learning experience that also allows students to customize their coursework in order to focus on an area of personal interest.

Program Structure

The Associate of Arts Degree is a foundational degree consisting of 60 credits in total, typically completed over a two-year period. Program requirements include a minimum of 36 credits in arts, including 18 credits in arts at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas, such as psychology, economics, Asian studies, philosophy, history, and sociology.

What You Can Do After Graduation

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts Degree program, students may choose to enter the workforce or to continue their undergraduate studies.

Transfer to 3rd/4th Year at a University
An Associate of Arts Degree may be transferrable to the third year of a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a university.

Some BC universities also admit 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 Degree, please consult the BC Transfer Guide or see an Academic Advisor.

Enter the Workforce
International students completing the Associate of Arts Degree program at Alexander College are also eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Develop Your Academic Skills

Our Associate of Arts Degree Program will enhance skills as well as provide experiences and aptitudes in the following areas:

Natural curiosity about the world

Understanding of the global context

Appreciation of intellectual thought and human creativity

Openness to a variety of different viewpoints

Capacity for and interest in self-directed life-long learning

Social consciousness and responsibility

Program Requirements

The Associate of Arts 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:

  • 3 credits in mathematics, computer science or statistics (statistics courses taught in subject areas of commerce and psychology may also be used)
  • 3 credits in a laboratory science

III. 36 credits in arts which shall include:

  • 6 credits in the social sciences
  • 6 credits in humanities other than English
  • 24 additional credits in arts, 18 of which must be taken at the second-year level in two or more subject areas

IV. 9 credits in arts, science, or other areas

Career Opportunities

Arts education provides students with the flexibility to explore a range of academic interests, and makes possible a variety of career opportunities. The degree can also qualify graduates for positions that demand greater responsibility than those achievable with a high school diploma.

What jobs can you get with an Associate of Arts Degree? With an Associate of Arts Degree, students can seek entry-level employment in business, education, not-for-profit, or government services.

Examples of positions in these sectors include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Assistant

Customer Support or Service Representative

Assistant Retail Manager

Marketing Assistant

Bank Teller

Sales 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.

Learn more about programs and student experience

#myAC Spotlight Student Stories

In our newest Alumni spotlight, we reconnect with Augustpreet who has been featured in several of our AC Original videos! Ever since Graduating, August has become a vlogger on YouTube and has traveled to the Philippines and the US!

He's now passionate about wanting to become a motivational speaker and hopes new students at AC seize all the opportunities they've been given.

Watch Video

As one of our student workers, Mana loves interacting with her fellow peers and making new friends at clubs such as the Spanish Club.

She is hoping to one day own her own company and also enjoys playing the violin and ice skating when taking a break from her studies.

Watch Video

We chat with Hailey Yang who just got accepted into UBC! Currently, Hailey is a student worker at AC and loves interacting with her fellow staff and students.

She is also hoping to one day work in a legal office and believes that new students should try volunteering or becoming a student worker to better know the local culture and lifestyle.

Watch Video

We meet Elisa who came to Canada as his first time living abroad. When not studying, he loves playing soccer and is currently part of a local team.

He hopes new students embrace facing new adventures and have confidence when trying out new experiences!

Watch Video

We feature Huyen Trang who also goes by Jessie! As a current member of ACSA, Jessie enjoys connecting with people both in person and through social media.

She hopes her role in the student association as well as her studies in marketing and humanities help inspire her fellow peers and international students looking at studying abroad.

Watch Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the top 5 questions about this program!

  • How many credits/courses will I need to complete an Associate degree?

    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.

  • How long will it take to complete an Associate degree?

    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.

  • Can I use transfer credit from another school toward an Associate degree?

    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.

  • Besides the course requirements, are there any other requirements to complete an 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.

  • What can I do with an Associate degree after I graduate?

    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.

Admissions, Apply Online or Request Information

Looking to start the application process? You can apply online, review admissions requirements or request additional information below.

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APPLY ONLINE

Self-serve Application through our myAC Student Portal

Admissions Process

HOW TO APPLY

Requirements, Tuition Fees, International Student Guide

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