Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate of Arts (AA) Degree
Program Overview
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is awarded for successful completion of 60 semester credits in liberal arts and sciences and is designed to constitute the first two years of a baccalaureate degree. It is also intended primarily for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree. No specific major is listed in conjunction with the degree; however, students may choose electives in a particular field of study in preparation for a planned major or professional emphasis at a four year college or university. An AA degree must include the entire Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) 40 semester credits which, pursuant of Minnesota statute, must transfer to any institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and University system or to the University of Minnesota. Students are to develop an educational plan with a Pathway Advisor to verify degree requirements are fulfilled, as requirements may vary depending upon the major and transfer college.
The AA degree can be completed through a variety of course delivery methods including face to face, hybrid and/or online. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and Liberal and Fine Arts departments offer online classes to satisfy the MnTC requirements. A student may choose to complete the entire AA degree online.
Program Outcomes:
- Knowledge of the important concepts and principles of the natural sciences, mathematics, history, social and behavioral sciences, arts, and humanities
- Skills necessary for life roles, including skills in thinking, communication and methods of inquiry and applications of knowledge
- Critical examination of, and an appreciation for, diverse people, cultures and life roles
General Requirements
- At least 60 earned college-level credits (40 MnTC credits and 20 additional MnTC and/or pre-major elective credits)
- A grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1711
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0
- MnTC GPA of 2.0
- Meet Saint Paul College residency requirement of 20 credits. This requirement shall be reduced to 12 credits for students transferring with at least 12 college-level credits from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution or the University of Minnesota.
Total Credits Required for the AA Degree
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): 40 credits
Additional MnTC and/or pre-major elective courses: 20 credits
Total Requirements: 60 credits
MnTC Distribution Requirements for the AA Degree
The minimum Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) distribution requirements for the AA degree are listed below. (Refer to the MnTC Course List)
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goals 1-10 40 Credits
Goal 1: Communication 9 Credits
ENGL 1711 - Composition 1 4 Credits
ENGL 1712 - Composition 2 2 Credits
COMM 17XX One eligible course - 3 Credits
Goal 2: Critical Thinking
Fulfilled when all the goal areas are completed (40 credits)
Goal 3: Natural Sciences 7 Credits
Minimum of two courses from two different disciplines, one of which must be a lab course.
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning 3 Credits
Minimum of one course. Courses must be numbered between 1700-1799 or 2700-2799
Goal 5: History, Social Sciences, and Behavioral Sciences 9 Credits
Minimum of three courses from two different disciplines.
Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 9 Credits
Minimum of three courses from two different disciplines.
Goal 7: Human Diversity 1-4 Credits
Minimum of one eligible course
Goal 8: Global Perspective 1-4 Credits
Minimum of one eligible course
Goal 9: Ethic and Civil Responsibility 1-4 Credits
Minimum of one eligible course.
Goal 10: People and the Environment 1-4 Credits
Minimum of one eligible course.
Note: Refer to the MnTC Course List . Some courses may be applied to more than one goal area. If you meet the MnTC goal requirements with fewer than 40 semester credits, select additional MnTC courses to complete the minimum requirement of 40 semester credits.
Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) Degree
The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree. It provides an exposure to the general education courses required by four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts Programs.
AFA Degree Programs
- Associate of Fine Arts -Music Degree
General Requirements for the AFA Degree:
- 60 earned college-level credits (a minimum of 30 credits from MnTC courses)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Meet Saint Paul College residency requirement of 20 credits. This requirement shall be reduced to 12 credits for students transferring with at least 12 college-level credits from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution or the University of Minnesota. For specific course requirements, see the individual program descriptions within the course Catalog, or speak with your Pathway Advisor.
Associate of Science (AS) Degree
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is awarded for successful completion of a program of 60 semester credits in a designated field or area which transfers to a baccalaureate major in a related scientific or technical field. The AS degree provides a balance of liberal arts education and career-oriented classes. The AS degree may prepare students for direct employment; however, articulation agreements must exist between the institution awarding the Associate of Science degree and an institution awarding a related baccalaureate degree. An Associate of Science degree shall include a minimum of 30 semester credits in general education as described in the MnTC distribution requirements for the AS degree.
Transfer Note: While the AS degree has more limited transferability than the AA degree, specific transfer articulation agreements exist with designated four-year colleges and universities for each AS degree. Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within the AS degree transfer to institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and other colleges. Please see a Pathway Advisor and refer to the Transfer Articulation Agreements Table for specific information.
AS Degree Programs
- Biology Transfer Pathway
- Business Transfer Pathway
- Chemistry Transfer Pathway
- Child Development Careers ASL
- Computer Graphics and Visualization
- Computer Science Transfer Pathway
- Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway
- Data Science
- Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway
- Engineering Broad Field
- Finance
- Health Care Administration
- Health Sciences Broad Field
- Management Information Systems
- Public Health
- Science and Engineering Technology
General Requirements for the AS Degree:
- 60 earned college-level credits (a minimum of 30 credits from MnTC courses)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Meet Saint Paul College residency requirement of 20 credits. This requirement shall be reduced to 12 credits for students transferring with at least 12 college-level credits from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution or the University of Minnesota. For specific course requirements, see the individual program descriptions within the course Catalog, or speak with your Pathway Advisor.
MnTC Distribution Requirements for the AS Degree
The minimum Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) distribution requirements for the AS degree are listed below. Credit and course requirements are specific for each program. Refer to the curriculum requirements listed in the Programs of Study for each AS degree program.
Note: Specific course recommendations or requirements for some AS degree programs may apply.
AS Degree General Education Requirements
Refer to the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Course List for each Goal Area
Goal 1: Communication 7 Credits
ENGL 1711 - Composition 1 4 Credits
COMM 17XX (Goal 1 only) - 3 Credits
Goal 3 or Goal 4 3 Credits
Goal 3: Natural Sciences
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
Goal 5: History, Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credits
Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 3 Credits
Goals 1-10 of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum 14 Credits
Select a minimum of 14 additional credits
Students must select courses from at least six (6)
Goal Areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.
Total General Education Requirements 30 Credits
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree
The Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) is awarded for successful completion of a program of 60-72 semester credits and is intended for students who desire immediate employment upon graduation. At Saint Paul College, the AAS program shall include a minimum of 16 semester credits of liberal arts and sciences courses as described in the MnTC distribution requirements for the AAS degree.
Transfer Note: The AAS degree is not intended to transfer to an upper-division college; however, some articulation agreements exist with designated four-year colleges and universities for several of the AAS degree programs. Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses within the AAS degree transfer to institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and other colleges. Please see a Pathway Advisor for specific information and refer to the Transfer Articulation Agreements Table.
AAS Programs
- Accounting
- Advanced Practice Esthetics
- Automotive Service Technician
- Child Development Careers
- Clinical Sports Massage
- Computer Network Engineering
- Computer Programming
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- CyberSecurity
- Electromechanical Automation Systems
- Geographic Information Science
- Global Trade Specialist
- Health Information Technology
- Healthcare Informatics
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Office Professional
- Office Management Professional
- Pharmacy Technician
- Project Management
- Respiratory Therapist
- Sheet Metal-HVAC Ducts and Fittings
- Sign Language Interpreter/Transliterator
- Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Supply Chain Logistics
- Surgical Technology
- Visualization Technology
General Requirements for the AAS Degree:
- 60-72 earned college-level credits (a minimum of 16 credits from MnTC courses)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Meet Saint Paul College residency requirement of 20 credits. This requirement shall be reduced to 12 credits for students transferring with at least 12 college-level credits from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution or the University of Minnesota. For specific course requirements, see the individual program descriptions within the course Catalog, or speak with your Pathway Advisor.
MnTC Distribution Requirements for the AAS Degree
The minimum Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) distribution requirements for the AAS degree are listed below. Credit and course requirements are specific for each program. Refer to the curriculum requirements listed in the Programs of Study section for each AAS degree program.
AAS Degree General Education Requirements
Refer to the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Course List for each Goal Area
Goal 1: Communication 7 Credits
ENGL 1711 - Composition 1 4 Credits
COMM 17XX (Goal 1 only) - 3 Credits
Goal 3 or Goal 4 3 Credits
Goal 3: Natural Sciences
OR
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
Goal 5: History, Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credits
Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 3 Credits
Total General Education Requirements 16 Credits
Diploma Programs
Diplomas are awarded for successful completion of 30-72 semester college-level credits and are intended for students who desire entry-level employment skills or career advancement. Students in diploma programs are required to complete technical courses as well as general education courses. One third of the credits required for a diploma must be earned at the College.
Certificate Programs
Certificates are awarded for successful completion of 9-30 semester college-level credits. Certificates are awarded for successful completion of a program intended to provide students with entry-level employment skills or to enhance a student’s technical skills. One third of the credits required for a certificate must be earned at the College.
Developmental Coursework
Developmental coursework has assisted thousands of students in getting started in College programs. The goal of developmental coursework is for students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in programs. Developmental courses are not considered collegelevel credit and will not apply towards any certificate, diploma, or degree completion requirements.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
The purpose of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursework is to assist limited-English speakers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to learn English and increase their chances of success at Saint Paul College. These classes are tailored to meet these unique needs.
Internships
Some major program areas require an internship. For other areas, an internship is optional. When students are ready to complete this phase of their training, they should consult with their faculty advisor to coordinate the internship.
While completing the internship, the student remains registered at Saint Paul College. Students are not excused from tuition payment and must continue to meet course requirements for all courses in which they are enrolled.
Saint Paul Joint Apprenticeship
Saint Paul College has worked with the building trades for many years. In cooperation with Advisory and Joint Apprenticeship committees, Saint Paul College works to give trade apprentices the most up-to-date education and training available in the United States. Most applicants are accepted into an apprenticeship program by either a) working in the occupation, b) being referred by an employer, or c) having completed a pre-apprenticeship training program. To enroll in one of the trade programs, please contact Admissions for the next available opening date and application. Entrance exams, and in some cases interviews, are required. To enroll in a program without a program completion requirement, students must contact that apprenticeship coordinator. Students may obtain their name or number by calling the Career and Technical Division, 651.846.1609.
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