Associate of Arts and Science (AAS)

The AAS fulfills our institutional mission of providing access to higher education and a pathway to degree attainment for the residents of Wisconsin. The AAS is transferable to institutions across the UW System and provides you with a liberal arts general education and a breadth of intellectual and practical skills. As specified below, seven total AAS major options are available: General Studies, Applied Finance, Environmental Science and Management, Health Science, Human Services, Information Sciences, and Leadership and Project Management.

1. General Degree Requirements

1. You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to receive the AAS. At least 36 of the 60 credits must be earned at the institution’s three campuses.
2. You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 earned cumulatively at the institution’s three campuses, and a 2.0 overall GPA in credits applied to the AAS.
3. The AAS general education requirements must be fulfilled.

2. Overview of AAS Requirements

1. Distribution of Credit Requirements

Requirement	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC)	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW)	9
Additional HC or NW Coursework	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)	3
Effective Communication (EC)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK)	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER)	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Electives	21
Total Required Credits to Degree	60

2. Additional Degree Requirements
   You must fulfill the following degree requirements through general education breadth requirements and/or elective coursework:

1. Depth sequence (two courses of three or more credits each)
2. Three credits of Quantitative Literacy coursework (AAS-QL)
3. An ethnic studies course (ES)
4. A laboratory science course (LS)

3. General Education Breadth Requirements
   You must complete general education coursework in a variety of different disciplines based on breadth categories established by the UW System shared learning goals. You must complete coursework in six different breadth categories. Each course is limited to only one breadth category.

1. Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC)
   Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) courses focus on analysis of the human condition, culture, and society. This typically includes coursework that requires you to engage with and analyze human interaction and culture, social organization and institutions, historical contexts, and/or complex interdependent systems. The HC requirement typically includes coursework in social sciences, humanities, fine arts, and world languages. If you are in HC courses you can expect to:

1. describe and evaluate existing knowledge of human cultures;
2. interpret and analyze data, texts, and/or artifacts; and/or
3. apply concepts across disciplines.

2. Knowledge of the Natural World (NW)
   Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) courses focus on concepts and applications related to the natural and physical sciences and mathematics. the NW requirement typically includes coursework in the sciences and mathematics. If you are in NW courses you can expect to:

1. describe and evaluate existing knowledge of the natural world;
2. interpret, analyze and communicate data, results, and conclusions; and/or
3. apply concepts across disciplines.

3. Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)
   Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) courses extend your ability to analyze issues and produce responses that are both systematic and innovative. The CCT requirement can be fulfilled with qualifying coursework in any discipline. If you are in CCT classes you can expect to:

1. identify and investigate problems;
2. execute analytical or creative tasks; and/or
3. combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in ways that result in a unique and identifiable product.

4. Effective Communication (EC)
   Written and Oral communication courses support and assess your development of reading, listening, speaking, information literacy, and/or writing proficiencies. This requirement is similar to the Foundation level Written and Oral Communication requirement in the General Education Program (GEP).
   
   You must complete:
   1. ENGL 150  or ENGL 202  (3 credits) with a grade of C or higher. (Note: If you do not place into ENGL 150 , you will be required to complete additional ENGL coursework prior to completing ENGL 202 ).
   2.  Three (3) additional credits of EC coursework

5. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK)
   Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) courses prepare you to live and work in diverse contexts. Courses with this degree designation focus on building cross-cultural communication, interaction, and empathy with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The IK requirement typically includes coursework in the social sciences, humanities, fine arts, world languages, and ethnic studies. If you are in IK courses you can expect to:

1. develop cultural self-awareness in the context of diverse human cultures; and/or
2. develop strategies for effectively and appropriately negotiating intercultural interactions.

6. Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER)
   Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) courses provide the foundation for lifelong learning and the intellectual tools for engaging ethically as members of society. The SER requirement can be fulfilled with qualifying coursework in any discipline and often includes high impact teaching practices or other active learning strategies. If you are in SER courses you can expect to:

1. engage in active learning to explore ethical, social, and/or environmental issues; and/or
2. apply knowledge and skills for the purpose of civic engagement.

4. Depth Requirement
   The UW System Associate Degree Standards require each student to complete “a two-course sequence in which the first course provides the foundation for the second.” You fulfill this requirement by taking a disciplinary depth sequence identified by an academic department or program. One or both courses may be transferred in from another institution.
   
   Sets of courses in a depth sequence must meet the following criteria:

1. Both courses are in the same discipline (and not just in the same department or program).
2. Both courses are at least three credits.
3. Learning from the first course lays a foundation for learning in the second course. However, the foundation course does not need to be a prerequisite for the second course.
4. You take the second course in a different semester or term. The semesters do not need to be contiguous.
5. The depth requirement does not include skills courses that lay a foundation for academic literacy (developmental education, non-degree ESL, and ENGL 101 ) or lecture forum courses.

5. Quantitative Literacy (AAS-QL)
   You must complete a minimum of three credits of AAS-QL coursework. A qualifying course focuses on college-level algebraic reasoning, probability, and/or statistics. You must fulfill at least one of these requirements:

1. Complete a quantitative literacy course (or an equivalent transfer course) with a grade of C or higher.
2. Complete a mathematics course that has a AAS-QL course as a prerequisite with a grade of C or higher,
3. Place into MATH 225  through the math placement process.

You may take more than one course to complete the required three credits. Quantitative literacy courses may fulfill breadth and depth degree requirements.

6. Laboratory Science (LS)
   You must complete at least one laboratory science course. LS courses are offered as part of or in connection with a lecture/discussion natural or physical science course, and they normally fulfill a general education breadth requirement. In laboratory science courses, you engage in empirical study of the natural world to enhance learning. To carry the LS degree designation, a science course must have at least one of the following active learning components as a regularly scheduled part of the course:

1. Learning activities in a laboratory or field setting;
2. Extensive use of scientific methods for student investigation, experimentation, and/or observation;
3. Active student participation in analysis and interpretation of data, using scientific tools, methods, conceptual frameworks, theories, and/or models.

7. Ethnic Studies (ES)
   You must take one ES course. Courses fulfilling the ES requirement have a substantial emphasis on cultural diversity issues and ethnic minorities within the United States.

8. AAS Major Options

There are seven major options for the AAS degree. All seven options require completion of at least 39 credits of general education coursework. The General Studies option permits you flexibility in choosing 21 credits of elective coursework. The other six options each specify additional coursework that is focused on practical knowledge and skills in particular disciplines.

The requirements of each major option are as follows:

1. General Studies

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) Student Choice of NW Courses	9
Additional HC or NW Coursework Student Choice of NW Courses	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) Student Choice of CCT Courses	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) Student Choice of SER Courses	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Elective Courses Student Choice of Elective Courses	21
Total Required Credits to Degree	60

 

2. Applied Finance

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) Student Choice of NW Course	9
Additional HC or NW Course Student Choice of HC or NW Course	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) ECON 110 : Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) BUS 110 : Personal Financial Literacy (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional SER Course	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Applied Finance Requirements	22
Required Courses (13 cr.): ACCT 210 : Introductory Financial Accounting (3 cr.) ACCT 211 : Introductory Managerial Accounting (3 cr.) ECON 111 : Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.) MATH 225 : Elementary Statistical Methods (4 cr.) Required Applied Finance Concentration (9 cr.): BUS 350 : Principles of Finance (3 cr.) BUS 353 : Investments (3 cr.) BUS 355 : Real Estate Investments (3 cr.)
Total Required Credits to Degree	61

3. Environmental Science and Management

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) BIOL 101 : General Biology (5 cr.) CHEM 105 : Fundamental Chemistry (5 cr.)	10
Additional HC or NW Coursework GEOG 101 : The Physical Environment (5 cr.)	5
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) Student Choice of CCT Course	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) NRES 150 : People, Resources, and the Biosphere (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional SER Course	6
Total General Education Credits	42
Environmental Science and Management Requirements	18
MATH 255 : Elementary Statistical Methods (4 cr.) NRES 151 : Ecological Basis for Natural Resource Management (3 cr.) NRES 220 : Global Climate Change & Water Resources, 10th Century to Present (3 cr.) NRES 250 : Introduction to Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife Resources (4 cr.) NRES 251 : Introduction to Soil and Water Resources (4 cr.)
Total Required Credits to Degree	60

4. Health Science

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) BIOL 101 : General Biology (5 cr.) CHEM 105 : Fundamental Chemistry (5 cr.)	10
Additional HC or NW Coursework MATH 255 : Elementary Statistical Methods (4 cr.)	4
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) Student Choice of CCT Course	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) PHIL 302 : Ethics and Medicine (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional SER Course	6
Total General Education Credits	41
Health Science Requirements	20
BIOL 285 : Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr.) BIOL 286 : Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr.) HS 105 : Survey of Common Diseases (3 cr.) HS 150 : Introduction to Healthcare Informatics (1 cr.) HS 295 : Medical Terminology (3 cr.) HS 360 : Research Design and Methods for the Health Sciences (3 cr.) MATH 107 : Algebra for Pre-Calculus (2 cr.)
Total Required Credits to Degree	61

5. Human Services

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) PSYC 110 : Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.) SOC 101 : Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional HC Course (3 cr.)	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) Student Choice of NW Courses	9
Additional HC or NW Coursework Student Choice of HC or NW Course	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) Student Choice of CCT Course	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) Student Choice of SER Courses	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Human Services Requirements	21
PSYC 200 : Research Methods in Psychology (3 cr.) PSYC 351 : Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.) SOC 230 : Criminology (3 cr.) SOC 270 : Race and Ethnicity (3 cr.) SOC 261 : Introduction to Social Work and the Social Services Field (3 cr.) or SW 261 : Introduction to Social Work and the Social Services Field (3 cr.) SOC 262 : Social Welfare Policies and Programs (3 cr.) or SW 262 : Social Welfare Policies and Programs (3 cr.) SOC 263  : Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions (3 cr.) or SW 263 : Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions (3 cr.)
Total Required Credits to Degree	60

6. Information Sciences

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) Student Choice of NW Courses	9
Additional HC or NW Coursework Student Choice of HC or NW Course	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) Student Choice of CCT Course	3
Effective Communication (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of Additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) Student Choice of SER Courses	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Information Science Requirements	27
CIS 120 : Data Structures and Algorithms (4 cr.) CIS 220 : Systems Analysis and Design (4 cr.) CIS 342 : Rich Internet Applications (4 cr.) CNMT 100 : Principles of Computing (3 cr.) CNMT 110 : Object-Oriented Programming (4 cr.) CNMT 210 : Web Design and Development (4 cr.) MATH 209 : Mathematics for Information Sciences (4 cr.)
Total Required Credits to Degree	66

7. Leadership and Project Management

Category and Required Courses	Credits Required
Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC) Student Choice of HC Courses	9
Knowledge of the Natural World (NW) Student Choice of NW Courses	9
Additional HC or NW Coursework Student Choice of HC or NW Course	3
Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT) ECON 110 : Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)	3
Effective Communicating (EC) ENGL 150 : Advanced Freshman English (3 cr.) or ENGL 202 : Sophomore English (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional EC Course (3 cr.)	6
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK) Student Choice of IK Course	3
Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (SER) BUS 110 : Personal Financial Literacy (3 cr.) Student Choice of additional SER Course	6
Total General Education Credits	39
Leadership and Project Management Requirements	22
Required Courses (13 cr.): ACCT 210 : Introductory Financial Accounting (3 cr.) ACCT 211  : Introductory Managerial Accounting (3 cr.) ECON 111 : Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.) MATH 255 : Elementary Statistical Methods (4 cr.) Required Leadership and Project Management Concentration (9 cr.): BUS 322 : Business Leadership for Managers (3 cr.) BUS 325 : Organizational Behavior (3 cr.) BUS 329 : Project Management (3 cr.)
Total Credits to Degree	61

For more information about the Associate Degree major options and requirements, please visit the following locations:

In Wausau, please visit the:

Solution Center
Room 150
Phone 715-261-6235
Email: uwspwausau@uwsp.edu

 

In Marshfield, please visit the:

Solution Center
Phone: 715-389-6530
Email: uwspmarshfield@uwsp.edu

 

In Stevens Point, please visit the:

Academic and Career Advising Center
Room 320 Albertson Hall (ALB)
Phone: 715-346-3226
Fax: 715-346-3724
Email: acac@uwsp.edu