Associate of Arts Degree Definition
An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year undergraduate program that provides you with a liberal arts education in subjects such as mathematics, literature, history, psychology and life sciences. This associate of arts degree is usually considered to be a stepping stone to an undergraduate degree program.
University Canada West (UCW) provides you with the advantage of transferring to the Bachelor of Commerce or the Bachelor of Arts degree at the university. The UCW AA degree is also accepted for transfer into bachelor degree programs at all British Columbia degree-granting institutions provided other admission requirements are met.
Typical Coursework in an AA Degree
The AA degree is comprised of 20 courses. While some of the electives that you can choose from are already mentioned above, there are some compulsory areas of study as well. Many of the core courses are completed in the first year of the program and manyof the electives are taught in the second year. The degree program is taught on-campus and online. Some of the skills you can develop after completing an Associate of Arts program are as follows:
- Oral and written communication;
- Ability to work in collaboration with others;
- Applying theoretical knowledge in real-life;
- Research and evaluative skills;
- Mathematical and scientific reasoning;
- Analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge.
Apart from the aforementioned skills, an Associate of Arts degree can provide you with learning experiences with regards to:
- Appreciation of creativity and high intellect;
- Accepting of a variety of world views;
- Interest in life-long learning;
- Social responsibility.
The learning methods in an Associate of Arts degree usually include written assignments, lectures and class discussions, presentations and group study. In order to qualify, you must:
- Have a high-school diploma or equivalent with an overall average of C or better (2.0 on a 4.33 scale) in hand;
- Academic IELTS score of 6.5 or better with a minimum of 6.0 in the writing band or equivalent, if English is not your first language.
What Do You Study in an Associate of Arts (AA) Degree?
The Associate of Arts degree offered at University Canada West (UCW) consists of 60 credits and the program is designed to help students build and hone communication, team performance, writing and research skills. Take a look at the program structure for the Associate of Arts degree at UCW:
Tier 1 University Foundation I: the tier one program structure equips students with basic writing and researching skills while giving them an introduction to a variety of topics. Courses in tier 1 include:
- Two English courses (6 credits);
- One Science course (3 credits);
- One Computer Science or Mathematics course (3 credits);
- Two Humanities courses (6 credits);
- Two Social Sciences courses (6 credits);
- Two Art elective courses (6 credits).
Tier 2 University Foundation II: Tier 2 courses at UCW offer students with an in-depth exploration of a variety of subjects and they include:
- One Laboratory Science course (3 credits);
- Six Arts courses (18 credits);
- Three electives (9 credits).
Careers Options
According to Talent.com, the average Associate of Arts degree salary in Canada is $60,000 per year. Entry level positions start around $45,000, while more experienced workers can earn up to $118,000 a year. Take a look at some of the jobs that you can take up:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Legal Administrative Assistant
- Medical Records Technician
If you are interested in developing problem-solving, critical thinking, quantitative and analytical skills while obtaining in-depth information in a variety of subject areas, then check out the Associate of Arts degree offered by University Canada West (UCW).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills effective July 26, 2024 having undergone a quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the minister. Nevertheless, prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (for example, acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions).
Originally published December 16, 2019
Start strong with a solid foundation
The AA program builds critical thinking and communication skill. Your first step toward advanced studies or a rewarding career.
