Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts Degree program is a foundational degree consisting of 60 credits, typically completed over a 2-year period. The program provides a comprehensive learning experience that also allows students to customize and focus their coursework in an area of interest. Upon completion of the Associate of Arts Degree program, students may choose to either enter the work force or continue their studies in pursuit of a bachelor degree. International students completing the Associate of Arts Degree program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Graduates of the Associate of Arts degree program may choose to transfer to a university to complete a Bachelor’s degree. With appropriate course planning, the Associate of Arts degree will allow the students to enter directly into the 3rd year of Faculty of Arts programs at the university of their choice in BC or elsewhere. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all prerequisites for upper level courses at the receiving institution have been met, and to note that the credit value for some courses may vary between institutions. Students who are planning to transfer credits to another college or university are responsible to find out how their credits will transfer to the receiving institution. Please consult the BC Transfer Guide or see Academic Advising.

International students who wish to remain in Canada after completion of the Associate of Arts degree are also eligible to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. A Post Graduate Work Permit will allow the graduated student to live and work in Canada for a period of up to 3 years. Those who are interested in staying in Canada for a longer period of time will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada after completion of their first year of eligible full time employment.

Associate of Arts Degree program offerings in Arts span the humanities, social sciences, and creative and performing arts. Some concentration areas within the Associate of Arts Degree program are:

Asian Studies

Commerce

Economics

English

History

Philosophy

Psychology

Sociology

.

General Requirements

Students must complete a total of 60 term credits of first and second year courses. These must include a minimum of 18 credits in Arts at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas. Graduation requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.