Associate of Arts Degree

ABOUT THE DEGREE

The Associate of Arts degree is designed for students who want to transfer to a four year Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The curriculum of the Associate of Arts program consists of courses that meet the University of Alaska Baccalaureate Core requirements plus degree specific electives.

Completing the UAF Associate of Arts degree is valuable for students who have one of the following purposes

  • Students transferring to a UAF Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Students transferring to a specific UAF degree program.
  • Students transferring to UAA or UAS
  • Students transferring to a four your degree at another University
  • Students who want a flexible liberal arts degree that can be designed for personal or professional development.

Because of the many purposes that can be met through the Associate of Arts degree it is crucial to work with an academic advisor. The academic advisor will work with students to individualize the Associate of Arts program and to make sure that the courses selected fulfill individual goals.

The Associate of Arts is an exciting degree choice. The degree can be customized to meet many purposes. The Associate of Arts degree is also flexible; if your academic or career goals change we can adapt the degree to your interests and goals.

FACILITIES AND INSTRUCTORS

The Associate of Arts program office is located in downtown Fairbanks at the Tanana Valley Campus Center (TVCC) at 604 Barnette Street. Classes are offered at TVCC as well as the UAF main campus and other convenient locations. Class sizes are small. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The facilities are designed for student interaction with state of the art computer labs, student lounges and study spaces.

Many of the courses for the University of Alaska Associate of Arts degree may be taken online. In order to find online courses follow these steps:

  • Download and print out the AA degree check list
  • Check the TVC Community Bulletin for courses with the TXA section number. You may register for these web based courses using UA Online.
  • Check the University of Alaska Table of substitutions for UAA and UAS courses that will substitute for UAF AA degree requirements
  • Check the Distance Education Gateway for courses that will meet your degree requirements.
  • Register for the selected courses using UAOnline.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Applications for admission into the program are located at the TVC Student Assistance Center, at the UAF Office of Admissions or online at http://www.uaf.edu/admissions/index.html.

We can answers questions about this standard form, financial aid, or the program at the TVC Student Assistance Center (455-2851) or you can talk to Stephen Cysewski (455-2836), coordinator for the Associate of Arts program, or email him at ffsdc@uaf.edu

If you do not have SAT or ACT placement information, you can take a free COMPASS or ASSET assessment to see which English and math courses to start with. The assessment is free and offered on a regular schedule or by appointment if necessary. You can take advantage of special enhancement and study programs if you need refresher courses or orientation information about college.

ADVISING INFORMATION

What is the purpose of your AA degree?

  • Transfer to a BA or BS degree? Which specific degree are you interested in?
    • Attach the degree check list for the degree. (If it is more then one degree attach a degree checklist for each of the degrees that you are interested in.) Degree checklists are available at http://www.uaf.edu/advising/degree/
  • For personal or professional development? Please describe your personal or professional goals in a paragraph or two?
    • Make a list of courses, from the UAF catalog, which would meet your personal or professional goals.
  • Transfer to another college or university, including UAA or UAS, before you finish your UAF AA degree?
    • Go to the college or university web site and look at the academic core requirements and the degree requirements for your selected degree.
    • If you will be transferring to another college before you complete the degree make sure that your courses will meet the core and degree requirements for your future college or university.

Make an academic plan:

  • After looking at the degree requirements, fill out the Associate of Arts Advising Worksheet which includes the academic core, the BA or BS degree requirement, and appropriate electives. As you take courses at UAF you might change your goals, if so just revise your plan.
  • You may work with the coordinator of the Associate of Arts program or an academic advisor to create your academic plan.

AA Advising Web Site:

Associate of Arts Requirements
The Associate of Arts degree represents the completion of broad-based college study. This degree may serve as a starting point for your career or as a stepping-stone to a baccalaureate program. You may earn only one A.A. degree.

The curriculum of the associate of arts degree consists of all courses required to meet the University of Alaska Fairbanks baccalaureate core, with the following exceptions:
1. The upper division writing and oral intensive courses are not required
2. In place of the upper division ethics course a humanities or social science elective may be substituted

All credits for the A.A. degree must be at the 100-level or above with at least 20 credits at the 200-level or above and be distributed as follows:
Baccalaureate Core Credits..............38-44 Credits
General Electives .............................16-22 credits

Students planning to go on to the baccalaureate degree are advised to select courses meeting remaining core requirements and courses designated within baccalaureate majors and minors.
Total Credits Required  ................60 Credits.

For more information contact:
Stephen Cysewski, Coordinator at Tanana Valley Campus
email: ffsdc@uaf.edu
phone: (907) 455-2836
Associate of Arts Program
UAF Tanana Valley Campus
604 Barnette Street
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701