Associate of Arts

Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year general transfer degree. It is recommended for students who expect to transfer to a four-year program and work toward a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. It may also be used for students who do not expect to work toward a baccalaureate degree but who wish an extension of their general education that is recognized by the award of a two-year college degree. A student in good standing in the Associate of Arts degree program may transfer to a Bachelor’s degree program at Montana Western or other institution with little, if any, loss of time.

Students are encouraged to plan their program carefully to avoid taking coursework that will not count toward their intended ultimate undergraduate degree. If transferring to another institution, students should obtain the degree requirements from that institution and plan their coursework at Montana Western accordingly. The courses to be included in the AA program must be chosen carefully by the individual in consultation with and approval by the Montana Western advisor and the appropriate staff of the institution to which the student will transfer, if applicable. Students planning on transferring into a Montana Western baccalaureate degree program should work with their advisors to complete degree completion checklists for both degrees. All courses taken for the AA should double count as meeting the requirements of the desired baccalaureate degree.