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Choosing Program

Choose Your Degree or Program

Most students indicate they are interested in pursuing either a degree or certificate. You will want to familiarize yourself with the choices that are available to you. Some of you will bring transfer credits that may meet degree requirements.

Associate Degrees are 60-64 credits in length. These two-year degrees require general education credits commonly called liberal arts courses that are part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). These liberal arts courses tend to be broad in nature and include categories such as English, communication, science and humanities.

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is designed to satisfy the general education requirements for public colleges and some private colleges in Minnesota. If you plan to transfer to a four-year university, then consider completing the MnTC or an AA degree. In addition to the general education requirements, the AA degree requires a variety of elective credits that allow you to choose courses that effectively prepare you for specific majors. Students who are undecided about their education plans will typically choose one of these programs because of its flexibility and broad applicability.

The Associate of Science (AS) and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are designed to provide entry-level skills needed to enter the workforce or launch another career. The AS degrees are designed to allow for transfer to certain colleges outlined in articulation agreements between the institutions. The AAS degrees require a higher percentage of occupational coursework, because of this, it has a limited selection of articulation agreements. 

The Associate of Fine Art (AFA) degree is designed for students who want to pursue a career in the studio arts by preparing them for further studies in a baccalaureate program.  In addition to a general education core set of courses, students will take Fine Arts courses designed to transfer into B.F.A. and B.A. art programs at four-year institutions. 

Certificates range from 9-31 credits in length.  They are designed to develop entry-level employment in specific careers and occupations.

The Bachelor of Science or Arts degree is available as a cooperative agreement with other colleges and universities who offer bachelors degrees.

Click in the 'Find Out More' box to explore our degree programs. 

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