Degree Types

Offcanvas

Some text as placeholder. In real life you can have the elements you have chosen. Like, text, images, lists, etc.

Degree Types

Rio Salado College offers certificates and two-year associate degrees in over 150 programs of study. Our 2 year associate degrees transfer to all public Arizona Universities and many private institutions nationwide. You may wish to pursue one of our certificates or an associate degree. Below are descriptions of the types of associate degrees and certificates we offer.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

This degree is recommended for students who desire to gain a depth of technical expertise by completing an occupational program. Students who successfully complete the AAS degree at an Arizona public community college are eligible for admission to any Arizona public university offering the Bachelor of Science (BAS) degree.

Associate in Arts (AA)

This degree is designed for students transferring to a college and/or university majoring in Liberal Arts. Completion of the degree or the (AGEC A- Arizona General Education Curriculum) will exempt students from Arizona public university admissions requirements for Arizona residents who have a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for non-residents. Completion of the AGEC A transfers as a block without loss of credit. All courses within the AGEC A must transfer to all three Arizona state universities. Any 100-200 level course, with a grade of C or better, can be applied to the elective credits.

Associate in Arts - Elementary Education (AAEE)

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to an Elementary Education, Special Education, Multicultural/Multilingual, or Early Childhood Education bachelor's degree program at an Arizona public higher education institution or who plan to become a classroom instructional aide. The degree requires 60-63 semester credits for completion. In most cases, completion of the AAEE will exempt students from Arizona universities admissions requirements and transfer as a block without loss of credit. All course selections must transfer to all three state universities.

Associate in Business, General Requirements (ABUS-GR)

This degree is designed for all Business majors, with the exception of Computer Information Systems majors who should follow the ABUS-SR pathway, who wish to transfer to a university or college. The degree requires 62-63 semester credits for completion. In most cases, completion of the ABUS-GR transfers as a block without loss of credit. All courses within the ABUS-GR must transfer to all three Arizona state universities.

Associate in Business, Special Requirements (ABUS-SR)

This degree is designed for students transferring to a college and/or university majoring in Computer Information Systems. The degree requires 62-63 semester credits for completion. Generally, completion of the ABUS-SR transfers as a block without loss of credit. All courses within the ABUS-SR must transfer to all three Arizona state universities.

Associate in General Studies (AGS)

This degree is designed for students whose educational goals require flexibility. The AGS allows students to choose any elective course 100 or above to complete the degree. This degree may be less desirable for students planning to attend four-year college or university.

Associate in Science (AS)

This degree is designed for students transferring to a college and/or university majoring in studies that require more stringent math and science. Completion of the AS transfers as a block without loss of credit. All courses within the AS must transfer to all three Arizona state universities.

Arizona General Education Curriculum - A (AGEC-A)

The A curriculum of the AGEC is designed for liberal arts majors.  It requires a minimum of college mathematics or college algebra to satisfy the Mathematics (MA) requirement, which is less stringent than both the B and S curricula.

Arizona General Education Curriculum - B (AGEC-B)

The B curriculum of the AGEC is designed for business majors.  It requires a minimum of brief calculus to satisfy the Mathematics (MA) requirement, which is less stringent than S curriculum.

Arizona General Education Curriculum - S (AGEC-S)

The S curriculum of the AGEC is designed for majors that are science and math based.  It requires a minimum of the first course in the calculus sequence to satisfy the Mathematics (MA) requirement as well as a minimum of eight credits in university chemistry, university physics, or general biology to satisfy the Natural Sciences (SQ/SG) requirement.  This curriculum also requires that 6-8 credits be taken of math and/or science (as appropriate to the major).

Certificate of Completion (CCL) The CCL is a program of study that provides students with the technical competencies necessary primarily for entry-level positions in local businesses and industries.

Academic Certificate (AC)

This certificate is designed for students who wish to gain additional expertise in an academic area. The Academic Certificate does not require a general studies component even though requirements of the certificate may include courses that currently meet specific general studies designations such as Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, etc.

Certificate of Completion (CCL)

The CCL is a program of study that provides students with the technical competencies necessary primarily for entry-level positions in businesses and industries.