Associate Degree Requirements

Introduction to Associate Degree Options

Minimum Requirements for all Associate Degrees

• Completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of college level work
• Completion of a minimum of 40 semester credit hours fulfilling the University of Wisconsin System minimum general education learning goals
• Achievement of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 grading system
• Completion of a two-course sequence in which the first course provides the foundation for the second course: this can take place anywhere within your degree program (does not include the ENGL composition sequence)
• Completion of a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at UW-River Falls.
• A student must fulfill the following degree requirements through general education breadth requirements and/or elective coursework:
  • Three credits of Math/Quantitative Literacy coursework
  • Completion of a two-course sequence in which the first course provides a foundation for the second course (this can take place anywhere within your degree program).  
  • An ethnic studies/diversity course
  • A Laboratory Science course

Associate of Arts Degree Requirements (AA)

General Education Breadth Requirement	Credits
Knowledge of Human Cultures	15-16
Knowledge of the Natural World	6
Critical & Creative Thinking	3
Effective Communication	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competency	6
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility	6
Directed Electives Leading to an Emphasis/Coursework Related to a desired Baccalaureate Degree	16-18

Associate of Sciences Degree Requirements (AS)

General Education Breadth Requirement	Credits
Knowledge of Human Cultures	9-16
Knowledge of the Natural World	12-14
Critical & Creative Thinking	6
Effective Communication	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competency	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility	6
Directed Electives Leading to an Emphasis/Coursework Related to a desired Baccalaureate Degree	15-18

Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (AAS)

General Education Breadth Requirement	Credits
Knowledge of Human Cultures	12
Knowledge of the Natural World	12
Critical & Creative Thinking	3
Effective Communication*	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competency	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility	6
Electives	18

*UWX EN102 is required in the Effective Communication category and must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Depending on English placement, you may be required to take UWX EN101 as a prerequisite for UWX EN102. Similarly, depending on English placement, you may be required to take UWX EN098 prior to enrolling in UWX EN101.

General Education Breadth Requirements Defined
A student must complete general education coursework in a variety of different disciplines based on breadth categories established by the UW System shared learning goals. There are six different breadth categories. Each course is limited to only one breadth category.

1. Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) 
   Courses focus on analysis of the human condition, culture, and society. This typically includes coursework that requires students to engage with and analyze human interaction and culture, social organization and institutions, historical contexts, and/or complex interdependent systems. If you are in HC courses, you can expect to:
   1. describe and evaluate existing knowledge of human cultures;
   2. interpret and analyze data, texts, and/or artifacts; and/or
   3. apply concepts across disciplines.
2. Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) 
   Courses focus on concepts and applications related to the natural and physical sciences and mathematics. If you are in NW courses, you can expect to:
   1. describe and evaluate existing knowledge of the natural world;
   2. interpret, analyze and communicate data, results, and conclusions; and/or
   3. apply concepts across disciplines.
3. Critical and Creative Thinking (CC) 
   Courses extend students’ abilities to analyze issues and produce responses that are both logical and innovative. If you are in CC classes, you can expect to:
   1. investigate problems;
   2. execute analytical, practical, or creative tasks; and/or
   3. combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
4. Effective Communication (EC)
   Courses support and assess students’ development of reading, listening, speaking, information literacy, and/or writing proficiencies. If you are in EC classes, you can expect to:
   1. use effective reading, listening, speaking, and/or writing skills, for a variety of purposes and audiences; and/or
   2. use language effectively to construct scholarly, evidence-based arguments.
5. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) 
   Courses prepare students to live and work in diverse contexts. Courses with this degree designation focus on building cross‐cultural communication, interaction, and empathy with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. If you are in IK courses, you can expect to:
   1. develop cultural self-awareness in the context of diverse human cultures; and/or
   2. develop strategies for effectively and appropriately negotiating intercultural interactions.
6. Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility (ER)
   Courses prepare students to live and work in diverse contexts. Courses with this degree designation focus on building cross‐cultural communication, interaction, and empathy with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. If you are in ER courses, you can expect to:
   1. describe and evaluate ethical, social, and/or environmental issues; and/or
   2. apply knowledge and skills for the purpose of civic engagement.