Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Associate in Arts, AA


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60 Credits

The Associate in Arts degree is a total of 60 credits to include 36 general education credits available through the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the School of Pure and Applied Sciences.  Students must refer to the Florida SouthWestern State College General Education Program Guide  for the selection of appropriate general education courses.  The 24 remaining credits are electives and may come from any discipline area as long as the course is not designated as an Associate in Science (AS) course.

Required General Education Courses for the Associate in Arts: minimum 36 credits


ENC 1101 Composition I, must complete with a “C” or better *  - 3 credits

ENC 1102 Composition II, must complete with a “C” or better  - 3 credits

Additional Communication General Education Course   - 3 credits

Core Humanities General Education Course   - 3 credits

Writing intensive Humanities course, must pass with a “C” or better  -3 credits

Core Social Sciences General Education Course   - 3 credits

Writing intensive social sciences course, must pass with a “C” or better  -3 credits

Any Social Sciences General Education Course  -3 credits

Core Mathematics General Education Course, must pass with a “C” or better **  - 3 credits

Any Mathematics General Education Course , must pass with a “C” or better   - 3 credits

Core Natural Sciences General Education Course with laboratory ***   - 3 credits

Any Natural Sciences General Education Course with corresponding laboratory   - 3 credits

According to Rule 6A-14.0303

* “Any student who successfully completes a course with an ENC prefix for which ENC X101 is an immediate prerequisite shall be considered to have completed the communication core.”

** “Any student who successfully completes a mathematics course for which one (1) of the general education core course options in mathematics is an immediate prerequisite shall be considered to have completed the mathematics core.”

*** “Any student who successfully completes a natural science course for which one ( 1) of the general education core course options in natural science is an immediate prerequisite shall be considered to have completed the natural science core.”

Elective Courses: 24 Credit Hours


Students are encouraged to select elective courses that complement their major or program area of interest. Additional courses in all General Education content areas (such as communications, humanities, social behavioral sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences) can fulfill general elective hours.  Additionally, students can select courses in disciplines such as accounting, business, computers and technology, criminal justice, early childhood, education, law and public service, marketing and management.  Consult the Course Descriptions section of the Catalog for additional course information.

Students are encouraged to see an academic advisor to review program prerequisites and to review common course prerequisites for baccalaureate program areas (also available through Florida Virtual Campus at www.floridashines.org).

EAP college-level coursework (EAP 1500 and above) is limited to 6 credit hours within the 24 credit-hour electives for the AA degree.

Other Associate in Arts Information and Requirements


Foreign Language Competency Requirement

In accordance with Florida Statute 1007.25, students initially entering a Florida College System Institution in 2014-2015 and thereafter must demonstrate competency in foreign language pursuant to guidelines set in Florida Statute 1007.262.

The Foreign Language Competency Requirement may be met by:

  • 2 years of the same High School Foreign Language, or
  • Documented foreign language proficiency through testing, or
  • 2 semesters of the same College Level Foreign Language (level II proficiency), or
  • Level II proficiency - this criterion occurs when a student has completed the second course of a sequence of college foreign language without completing the first course.  For example, if a student has successfully completed a college-level Spanish II but not Spanish I, then the student has met the Foreign Language Competency requirement.

Students should check with their Academic Advisor for additional information, or if they are unsure whether they have already met this requirement.

Writing Intensive Courses:


The following courses satisfy the writing requirement of 4,000 words each. Each student must successfully take 12 semester hours of coursework demonstrating college level writing skills with a grade of “C” or higher (Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.030(2)(a)).

Previously Earned Associate in Arts or Baccalaureate Degrees


  • Students who have previously earned an Associate in Arts or a Baccalaureate degree from a Florida College System or a Florida State University System institution are considered to have met the General Education Requirements of a Florida SouthWestern State College associate or baccalaureate degree.
  • Students who have previously earned an Associate in Arts or a Baccalaureate degree from a college or university outside the State of Florida will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine which courses will meet the 36 hour general education and electives requirements. 

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