Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree provides a foundation of general education studies with a concentration of coursework in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This degree program is designed for students who are undecided about their educational goals, prefer smaller class sizes, need academic skills improvement, or desire a more gradual entrance into the university.

Students may earn this degree as preparation to transfer to a Bachelor degree program at Montana State University or another university. Each student will follow a specific curriculum based on the student’s personal, long term, and educational goals as well as entering skills in math and writing.

To receive the A.A. degree, students must complete at least 60 credits including the following requirements:

  • General Education Core requirements (30 credit hours) *
    • University Seminar (US)
    • Writing (W)
    • Cultural Diversity (D)
    • Quantitative Reasoning (Q)
    • Contemporary Issues in Science (CS)
    • Natural Science (IN or RN)
    • Arts (IA or RA)
    • Humanities (IH or RH)
    • Social Science (IS or RS)
    • Research or Creative Experience
  • Directed elective coursework in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences beyond the Core (9 credit hours) *
  • General Education Electives (21 credit hours)

Graduates with an Associate of Arts degree are prepared to:

  • Demonstrate the Montana State University Core outcomes of communication, thinking and problem solving, and local and global citizenship.
  • Think critically about concepts and applications from multiple disciplines.
  • Transfer and apply knowledge and skills learned into a Bachelor degree program.

* A grade of C- or better is required for all Core and Directed elective courses counted toward the degree.