2023-2024 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog and Student Handbook

Associate in Arts (A10100), AA


Purpose

The Associate in Arts degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer courses. The Associate in Arts program concentrates heavily on the humanities and social sciences; it is recommended for students who will continue into a Bachelor of Arts or Liberal Arts degree program. Within the degree program, the institution shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use. Courses are approved for transfer through the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). The CAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to transfer with junior status.

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions. Students are responsible for examining the program major requirements of the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer for completion of their degree.

Admission Requirements and Special Conditions

A high school diploma (or equivalent) and satisfactory scores on college placement tests (or equivalent) in English and mathematics are required. If students have deficiencies in English and/or mathematics, RCC offers pre-college courses to prepare students for the Associate in Arts curriculum.

Program Curriculum


First Semester (Fall)


Class Hours 8 or 9 | Lab Hours 7 | Credit Hours 14 or 15


Second Semester (Spring)


Class Hours 15 | Lab Hours 5 or 6 | Credit Hours 16


Third Semester (Fall)


  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • Literature Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • PE Elective Credit Hours: 1 (see choices below)

Class Hours 15 | Lab Hours 3 | Credit Hours 16


Fourth Semester (Spring)


  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • General Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credit Hours: 3 (see choices below)
  • PE Elective Credit Hours: 1 or 2 (see choices below)

Class Hours 12-13 | Lab Hours 2-3 | Credit Hours 13 or 14


Universal General Education Courses (UGETC)


English Composition (6 SHC)


The following two English composition courses are required.

Humanities/Fine Arts/Communication (9 SHC)


Select three courses from at least two different disciplines

Social/Behavioral Sciences (9 SHC)


Select three courses from at least two different disciplines

Mathematics (3 – 4 SHC)


Select one course from the following:

Natural Sciences (4 SHC)


Select 4 SHC from the following courses:

Required (31 – 32 SHC)


Additional General Education Hours (13-14 SHC)


An additional 13-14 SHC of courses should be selected from courses classified as general education within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university.

Natural Science Electives (4 SHC)


Additional General Education Courses (10 SHC)


Select at least 10 SCH from the following courses:

Required (13 –14 SHC)


Other Required Hours


The following course is required:

  • Credit Hours: 1
  • An additional 14 SHC of courses should be selected from courses classified as pre-major, elective or general education courses within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university.

Physical Education Elective(s) (2 SHC)


Select two courses from the following {it is recommended that students take a 1 credit hour (active) PE first}:

Select from the Following Courses (12 SHC)


Required (15 SHC)


Total (60 SHC)


Associate in Arts (AA) Degree

Required Semester Credit Hours

UGETC 31-32 SHC
Additional General Education 13-14 SHC
Other Required Hours 15 SHC
Total 60 SHC

Students are responsible for examining the program major requirements of the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer for completion of their degree.

The courses selected to meet the Additional General Education Hours (13-14 SHC) and other Required Hours (15 SHC) requirement should be based on the intended major and transfer university.