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An associate's degree is intended to assist students in completing the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a baccalaureate degree. Completion of the full associate's degree, typically 60-64 credits, makes it much more likely that a four-year institution will accept all transferring credits and grant the student junior status. The associate's degree is a credential recognized by academic institutions and employers alike, and completion of the degree can bring added value for a student's application or resume.

Associate in Arts (AA) Degree

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for students interested in areas related to the humanities, social sciences, or liberal arts. The AA degree includes the General Education Core Curriculum Certificate. This is a complete package of transferable General Education courses.

General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (38 hours)

 

GECC Requirements for an AA Degree
  • Communications - 3 courses (9 credit hours)
    Must include a two-course sequence in writing (6 credit hours) with grades of C or higher, and one course in oral communication (3 credit hours).
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences - 3 courses (9 credit hours)
    Must include courses from at least two subjects.
  • Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 courses (9 credit hours)
    Must include at least one Humanities course and at least one Fine Arts course.
  • Mathematics - 1 course (3 credit hours)
  • Physical and Life Sciences - 2 courses (8 credit hours)
    Courses must be lab-based.
    Must include one Life Science course and one Physical Science course, or two Interdisciplinary Physical/Life Sciences courses.

One course taken in Humanities, Fine Arts, or Social/Behavioral Sciences must be a Non-Western culture course.  See the GECC course list for available options.


Liberal Arts and Sciences (3 hours)

Choose one:

  • LAS 188 - Diverse U.S. Cultural Expression (3 hours)
    (also fulfills 3 credits of the Humanities General Education requirement)
  • LAS 189 - Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences (3 hours)

Electives in Areas of Interest (19 hours)

Students are encouraged to choose elective courses based on their interests and transfer goals. General electives can include any transfer-focused courses (courses with an even middle number such as MGT 101 or ART 121).

Total credit hours for the Associate in Arts degree = 60 Hours

Associate in Science (AS) Degree

The Associate in Science (AS) degree is designed for students interested in transferring to a 4-year program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (commonly known as STEM). Students should note that the AS degree requires only 32 hours of general education coursework and does not fully satisfy the IAI General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) requirements. Two additional courses to complete the general education requirements may be taken after transferring.

General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (32 hours)

GECC Requirements for an AS Degree
  • Communications - 3 courses (9 credit hours)
    Must include a two-course sequence in writing (6 credit hours) with grades of C or higher, and one course in oral communication (3 credit hours).
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences - 2 courses (6 credit hours)
    Must include courses selected from at least two subjects.
  • Humanities and Fine Arts - 2 courses (6 credit hours)
    Must include at least one Humanities course and at least one Fine Arts course.
  • Mathematics - 1 course (3 credit hours)
  • Physical and Life Sciences - 2 courses (8 credit hours)
    Must include one laboratory-based Life Science course and one laboratory-based Physical Science course, or two Interdisciplinary Physical/Life Sciences courses.

One course taken in Humanities, Fine Arts, or Social/Behavioral Sciences must be a Non-Western culture course.  See the GECC course list for available options.


Additional Math and Science Courses (6 hours)

Take the following:

  • One additional mathematics course (MAT)
  • One additional physical or life science course (AST, BIO, CHE, ESC, PHY, or SCI)
Any transfer-focused course in these subjects will meet the requirements, even if it is not on the GECC course list. Transfer-focused courses have an even middle number, such as BIO 100 or MAT 12 4.

Electives in Areas of Interest (22 hours)

Students are encouraged to choose elective courses based on their interests and transfer goals. Students working toward the AS degree typically choose courses relevant to science, engineering, and math. General electives include any transfer-focused courses (courses with an even middle number, such as MGT 101 or ART 121).

Total credit hours for the Associate in Science degree = 60 Hours

What You Need to Know about Transferring Parkland Courses

Parkland College courses with an even middle digit in the course number will transfer to most four-year institutions as a general education course, a major's core course, or an elective. 

General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) courses will transfer to public four-year institutions in the state of Illinois as general education courses. If you complete the full GECC, it will transfer as a package. When you complete only a portion of the GECC, the transfer institution will consider acceptance of each course individually.

  • To save you time and money, speak to a Parkland advisor, as well as advisors from the intended transfer institution, to determine the best choice of coursework. 
  • You can also identify how courses may transfer to a four-year institution by setting up an account at Transferology, a nationwide network designed to help students explore their college transfer options.
  • Get more information about your transfer options.

Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) Degree

The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degree is designed for students with a specific interest in Art.  Parkland offers two AFA options:

Students should note that the Art and Design AFA degree does not include all coursework required for completion of the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). Additional courses to complete the general education requirements may be taken after transferring.

Associate in Engineering Science (AES) Degree

The Associate in Engineering Science (AES) degree is designed for students intending to pursue a specialized engineering degree at a four-year institution. 

Students should note that the AES degree may include very little of the coursework required for completion of the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). The number of general education courses required for the study of engineering depends on the specific field of engineering and the transfer institution. Students are strongly encouraged to speak to an advisor concerning the best choice of classes for their goals.