Associate in Arts (A.A.) < Eastern Florida College System (2024)

Previous Degree Required: HS Diploma
Eligible for Financial Aid: Yes
Delivery Method(s): On-Campus, Hybrid, Online
Location(s): All campuses and online
Additional Limited Access Application Process Required: No
Program Testing Requirements: Assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math
Academic Community: All Academic Communities
Program Code: GENR
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: 24.0101
Florida Department of Education CIP Code: 1192401010

Click on the tabs above for complete information regarding the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree

General Information

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a Florida college or university to complete a bachelor's degree .The A.A. degree requirements consist of60 total credit hours - 36 credit hours of general education and 24 credit hours of electives. Students should choose elective courses required for admission to their intended program of study/major at the desired college or university.The A.A. degree is designed as a university parallel degree and is comparable to the freshman and sophom*ore years (lower division) of a university program.

Each Florida public institution has a 36-hour general education program that is part of the A.A. degree and uniquely designed to introduce students to the fundamental knowledge, skills and values essential to the study of academic disciplines.

The Florida articulation agreement guarantees the 36-hour general education block of credit earned at any Florida public college or university will be accepted in total by any other public institution in Florida and no further courses will be required to meet the general education component. However, if students transfer prior to completing the 36-hour general education requirement, the student may be required to take additional courses to meet the general education requirement at the receiving institution. It is strongly recommended that students complete the 36-hour general education block at EFSC prior to transferring. Starting in 2015-16, courses taken to fulfill the general education core requirement are guaranteed to transfer and fulfill core requirements at receiving institutions.

In addition to General Education Requirements, the Florida Department of Education also requires students to demonstratecompetency in aforeign languageand demonstratecivic literacyprior to graduation.

It is essential that students work closely with an academic advisor to choose electives required for their intended major at the university or college bachelor’s degree program. To transfer into junior level work in a specific major, students must have completed the common program prerequisites for their selected degree.

TheProgram and Admission Requirementschart lists specific admission requirements by program, such as if the program is limited access or requires a specific degree, certification or license, and if the program is financial aid eligible.

Admission Requirements

1. Submit an application for admission.
   1. For information about applying for admission to Eastern Florida State College, visit the Admissions website.
2. Students must hold a standard high school diploma or equivalent
3. Submit final official transcripts: high school and all prior colleges.
4. All new(first time in college)studentsmust meet the entry-level assessment requirements for placement into reading, writing and mathematics courses prior to registration.Visit thePlacement Testingwebsite for more information and FAQs.

Note: Students should also be aware of the following:

30-Hour Advising: Florida College System associate in arts students are required to identify the bachelor’s degree program and college/university of interest by the time they earn 30 credit hours.

Excess Hours Advisory Statement:Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes, establishes an "excess hour" surcharge for a student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a state university. It is critical that students, including those entering Florida colleges, are aware of the potential for additional course fees. "Excess hours" are defined as hours that go beyond 120% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program. For example, if the length of the program is 120 credit hours, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 144 credit hours (120% x 120).

All students whose educational plan may include earning a baccalaureate degree should make every effort to enroll in and successfully complete those courses that are required for their intended major on their first attempt. Florida college students intending to transfer to a state university should identify a major or "transfer program" early and be advised of admission requirements for that program, including the approved common prerequisites. Course withdrawals and/or repeats, as well as enrollment in courses nonessential to the intended major, may contribute to a potential excess hours surcharge.

Graduation Requirements

Responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation with an Associate in Arts degree rests with the student.To be awarded an A.A. degree from Eastern Florida State College a student must do the following:

1. File anIntent to Graduate Applicationand pay the graduation fee. Visit the How to Apply for Graduation website for more information.
   • Applications submitted after the published deadline will incur a late fee.
2. Complete all admission requirements, including the submission of all necessary transcripts, testing, and other required documents.
3. Satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study totaling at least 60 semester hours:
   • Complete the 36 credits of General Education described in the A.A. degree course requirements section. Honors sections of general education courses will satisfy this program requirement.
   • Complete the 24 credits of electives described in the A.A. degree course requirements section.
4. Complete at least 25% (15 credits) of the credit hours required for the degree through traditional instruction at EFSC.
   • A maximum of 45 credits may be in any combination of articulated credits earned through mechanisms such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), credit-by-examination, credit for licensure or certification, etc.
5. Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
   • College developmental courses, audited courses, 3000-4999 (upper-level) courses, clock hour courses, and continuing education courses are not applicable toward credits for the A.A. degree.
   • Transfer courses with a grade of T% do not calculate into the GPA.
6. Complete all coursework with a final grade. Students with a grade of “I - Incomplete” will not be processed for graduation until a final grade is posted.
   • For graduation in the term of application, the final grade must be posted within the first three weeks of the following term. If the final grade is not posted within the first three weeks of the following term, student must reapply and repay for graduation in the term they complete all requirements. Student may request through the instructor to have the “I” converted to a permanent "F" if the course is not required to graduate.
7. Complete the CORE courses as defined in each subject area.
8. Achieve a "C" or higher in all courses designated as a College-Level Communication or Computation Skills course.
9. Satisfy the foreign language competency requirement described in the A.A. degree course requirements section.
10. Satisfy the civic literacy competency requirement.
11. Remove all financial obligations to the college.

Students should visit with an advisor for information regarding transfer degree requirements and applicable courses.

Grade Forgiveness/Repeating Courses: A course repeated after the conferral of the A.A. degree at EFSC may not be used to forgive the equivalent course taken prior to the award of the degree.

Only courses designated as repeatable for credit may be retaken for credit to the maximum credit allowable. While honors courses may be used for grade forgiveness, the honors and regular versions of a course cannot both be taken for credit.

General Education and Course Requirements

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree requires 60 eligible college-level credits including 36 credits in general education, 24 credits of acceptable electives, and satisfaction of the foreign language and civic literacy requirements.

Students should also be aware of the following:

• Students must complete the appropriate 60 semester hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Required for graduation are the General Education requirements (36 credits) and elective courses (24 credits).
• All Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Bachelor students must satisfy the civic literacy competencyby taking a specified civic literacy course and passing the Florida Civic Literacy Exam. Information is available on theCivic Literacy website.
• Specific course requirements depend on area of concentration - see an advisor.
• Honors courses will satisfy requirements in their related areas.
• Core Course requirements
• Academic Communities
• College-Level Communication and Computation Skills
• Digital Badges
• It is the student's responsibility to confirm fulfillment of major prerequisites with the transfer university.

General EducationCourse Requirements

The Florida articulation agreement guarantees the 36-hour general education block of credit earned at any Florida public college or university will be accepted in total by any other public institution in Florida and no further courses will be required to meet the general education component. However, if students transfer prior to completing the 36-hour general education requirement, the student may be required to take additional courses to meet the general education requirement at the receiving institution. It is strongly recommended that students complete the 36-hour general education block at EFSC prior to transferring. Courses taken to fulfill the general education core requirement are guaranteed to transfer and fulfill core requirements at receiving institutions.

Communications (9 Credit Hours)

Students must complete all three (3) of the following with a grade of "C" or higher.

Courses designated as "Core" satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Courses designated as "H" have an honors option.

Mathematics (6 Credit Hours)

Successfully complete aminimum of 6 credit hours from the following list, with a grade of "C" or higher. All prerequisites must be observed.

Students should select courses with a thorough understanding of the mathematics requirements for their particular upper division major at the transfer university of choice. See an advisor.

Courses designated as "Core" satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Courses designated as "H" have an honors option.

¹

MAT1033 Intermediate Algebra is a prerequisite for MAC1105 College Algebra.MAT1033 Intermediate Algebra will satisfy elective credits only.

Natural Science/Biological & Physical(7 Credit Hours)

Follow Plan A or Plan B based on the bachelor's degree you are going to pursue after your AA. Be sure to consult with an advisor.

Courses designated as "Core" satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Courses designated as "H" have an honors option.

Plan A (7 Credit Hours)

Choose 4 credit hours from Life/Biological Science and 3 credits hours from Physical Science

Life/Biological Science (4 credits)

Physical Sciences (3 Credits)

¹

The Lab component(s) must be completed to meet this course requirement.

Plan B

Complete 8 credit hours of sequential Chemistry or Physics courses with labs. Choose from the following:

• CHM1045 General Chemistry 1andCHM1046 General Chemistry 2and labs, or
• CHM2210 Organic Chemistry 1andCHM2211 Organic Chemistry 2and labs, or
• PHY2048 General Physics 1andPHY2049 General Physics 2and labs, or
• PHYC2053 College Physics 1andPHYC2054 College Physics 2.

Humanities (6 Credit Hours)

Complete one course from List 1 and one course from List 2, both with a grade of "C" or higher.

Courses designated as "Core" satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Courses designated as "H" have an honors option.

Social/Behavioral Science (8 Credit Hours)

Students must take one course from List 1 to satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement. These courses also satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Students must choose two courses from List 2 to satisfy the remaining social/behavioral science requirement.

Courses designated as "Core" satisfy the FLDOE Core Course Requirement. Courses designated as "Civ" satisfy the Civic Literacy course requirement. Courses designated as "H" have an honors option.

Electives (24 Credit Hours)

The remaining 24 credit hours of the A.A. are electives. Students should select electives based on common program prerequisites for the intended upper division major. See thePreparing for Transferpage in this catalog for more information.

Students can use elective credits to satisfy common prerequisites needed at the intended transfer institution, or to explore areas of interest if a major has not been selected. Most bachelor’s degree programs require that students complete specific coursework prior to admission. The amount of coursework varies depending on the program. These courses are referred to as common prerequisites and they are published annually in theCommon Prerequisite Manual.Students working toward an A.A. degree should decide upon a baccalaureate program of interest as early as possible so they can identify and complete the prerequisite courses.

It is essential that students work closely with an academic advisor to choose electives required for their intended major at the university or college bachelor’s degree program. To transfer into junior level work in a specific major, students must have completed the common program prerequisites for their selected degree.

Foreign Language Requirement

Coursework for an Associate in Arts degree shall include demonstration of competency in a foreign language at a levelat least equivalent to that of students who have completed 2 credits of sequential (same) language instruction in high school. Demonstration of foreign language competency is a graduation requirement for the Associate in Arts degree. This is pursuant to F.S. 1007.262.

Visit the Foreign Language Competency website to determine how foreign language competency may be met.

Civic Literacy Competency Information

Florida legislature (section 1007.25 F.S. and SBE Rule 6A-10.02413 Civic Literacy Competency)requires students pursuing the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), or bachelor's degree to demonstrate civic literacy prior to award of the degree.

See theCivic Literacywebsite for detailed information.

Core Course Requirements

Pursuant toF.S. 1007.25(3)andSBE Rule 6A.14.0303:first-time-in-college students entering an Florida College System (FCS) institution in fall 2015 or thereafter must successfully complete at least one core course from each of the general education subject areas: Communications, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences, prior tothe award of an Associate in Arts degree.

Effective with the 2022-23 academic year, the general education core course requirement applies to all students who are entering into any programs under the 2022-23 catalog year and beyond, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes transfer students, students entering with prior postsecondary coursework and students from out-of-state.

Effective fall 2024, Core Courses are:

College Level Communication and Computation Skills

In compliance withFlorida State Board of Education Administrative Rule6A-10.030, to measure student achievement in college-level communication and computation skills, other assessment requirements shall be met by successful completion of coursework in English and mathematics. For the purposes of this rule, a grade of C or higher shall be considered successful completion.

• Prior to receipt of an Associate of Arts degree from a public Florida College System institution or university or prior to entry into the upper division of a public university or college, a student shall complete successfully the following:
  • Six (6) semester hours of English coursework and six (6) semester hours of additional coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Each institution shall designate the courses that fulfill the writing requirements of this section. These course designations shall be submitted to the Statewide Course Numbering System. An institution to which a student transfers shall accept courses so designated by the sending institution as meeting the writing requirements outlined in this section.
  • Six (6) semester hours of mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or higher. For the purposes of this rule, applied logic, statistics and other such computation coursework which may not be placed within a mathematics department may be used to fulfill three (3) hours of the six (6) hours required by this section.
• Students awarded college credit in English based on their demonstration of writing skills through dual enrollment, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate instruction pursuant to Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., and students awarded college credit based on their demonstration of mathematics skills at the level of college algebra or higher through one (1) or more of the acceleration mechanisms in Rule 6A-10.024, F.A.C., shall be considered to have satisfied the requirements in subsection 6A-10.030(2), F.A.C., to the extent of the college credit awarded.
• Honors sections of these courses will also satisfy the requirements.

Math: Students must complete six (6) semester hours of designated mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or higher with a grade of “C” or better.

English Composition: Students must complete six credits includingENC1101Composition 1andENC1102Composition 2, or other designated English Composition courses with a grade of “C” or better. To satisfy themultiple assignmentscriteria inENC1101Composition 1andENC1102Composition 2, each course will require that aminimumof three out-of-class writing assignments be completed. One of those assignmentsmustbe a fully documented research paper with a variety of sources, which earns a grade of “C” or better.

Humanities: Students must complete six credits from the approved courses with a grade of “C” or better. To satisfy the multiple assignments criteria, each course will require that a minimum of two out-of-class writing assignments be completed, one of which must earn a “C” or better.

Behavioral and Social Sciences: Students must complete eight credits from the designated behavioral and social sciences courses with a grade of “C” or better. To satisfy themultiple assignmentscriteria, each course will require that aminimumof two out-of-class writing assignments be completed and passed with a “C” or better.

Academic Communities

6A-14.065 Meta-Major Academic Pathways.

Academic Communities represent eight career pathways, identified by the State of Florida as Meta-Majors, as a way to group academic programs into clusters with related courses. Each Meta-Major Pathway has identified Gateway Courses in English and Mathematics — the first courses that provide transferable, college-level credit which allow students to progress in their program of study. When Florida Legislators created the Meta-Major concept, they also required that first-time-in college students meet with an advisor. While a student may not know exactly what he or she wants to major in, but has a general idea of the topic they want to study, the advisor can help the student choose the right classes for academic success. Advisors are available on all four Eastern Florida campuses to discuss Academic Communities and Gateway Courses and to help the student review transfer institution requirements.

(1) The following academic pathways (meta-majors) are established for the purposes of advising Florida College System associate degree seeking students of the gateway courses that are aligned with their intended academic and career goals.

(a) Arts, humanities, communication and design.

(b) Business.

(c) Education.

(d) Health sciences.

(e) Industry/manufacturing and construction.

(f) Public Safety.

(g) Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(h) Social and behavioral sciences and human services.

Gateway Courses

Each academic community has defined "gateway" courses for English and mathematics as follows:

1. English–ENC1101Composition 1is the gateway English course for all meta-major academic pathways
2. Math– The gateway courses for each of the academic pathways is defined as follows:
   • Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design

     Course List

     Code	Title	Credit Hours
     MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
     MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
     STA2023	Statistics

• Business

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  STA2023	Statistics

• Education

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
  STA2023	Statistics

• Health Sciences

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
  STA2023	Statistics

• Industry/Manufacturing and Construction

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
  STA2023	Statistics

• Public Safety

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
  STA2023	Statistics

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra	3

• Social and Behavioral Science and Human Services

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credit Hours
  MAC1105	College Algebra (or)	3
  MGF1130	Mathematical Thinking (or)
  STA2023	Statistics

Digital Badges

Digital badges help students highlight their credentials in the expanding online environment. These badges are electronic symbols used as micro-credentials to document skills and knowledge you've added through completing an EFSC course. Digital badges offer students a new way to showcase their skills as they can be added to your social media, résumé, or job application site.

All Florida state colleges (including EFSC) and state universities are now awarding digital badges under a new statewide plan which started with the 2022-23 academic year (Fall 2022). The badges begin with acommunications course, and will eventually expand to include other general education core courses that demonstrate career readiness.

Benefits of Badges

• Build on skills to help differentiate students academically and professionally
• Showcase student achievements and competencies with employers when applying for a job
• Use in digital résumés and on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter
• Appear automatically on a student's official and unofficial college transcripts, making them easy to share

Visit the Digital Badges at EFSC website for more information.

Catalog Year and Continuous Enrollment (Governing Catalog)

TheEastern Florida State Collegecatalog is the official document that outlines the policies, academic programs and graduation requirements fordegree-seekingstudents. Understanding and following the policies and requirements are the student's responsibility.

• The governing catalog term is the same as the catalog in effect at the time of admission to the college, readmission to the college, or upon any degree or major change.
  • To remain in a specific catalog term, student must maintain continuous enrollment.Student will follow the policies and graduation requirements in the governing catalog except when changed by law or by the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the following guidelines.
  • Continuous enrollment is the completion of at least one course within three consecutive terms. Completion of a course means student earned a grade in the course, including a letter grade, I or W. Spring, summer, and fall are each considered a term. Continuing Education courses do not count toward continuous enrollment.
• The governing catalog is valid for five academic years. After this time, the governing catalog will be the one in effect in the next term of enrollment.
• A student may officially declare any subsequent catalog as their governing catalog and follow the new program requirements provided:
  • They have maintained continuous enrollment, and the subsequent catalog is not more than 5 years old.
  • To request a catalog year update, a student must complete aMajor/Program Change Formby the published deadline date. Check if a catalog year change affects financial aid.
• Limited access programsgoverning catalog will be the catalog in effect when students are accepted into the program and maintain continuous enrollment.
• After three consecutive terms of non-attendance, student will be inactivated. The catalog term will be updated to the term of readmission.
• Students who return to EFSC after enrolling at another college or university (except for EFSC degree-seeking students approved transients) must follow the catalog graduation requirements in effect at readmission.

Transfer Graduation Pathway for Success

The College will make every effort to advise a student concerning upper division requirements for each major. However, for the most current information concerning which electives to choose while in residence at EFSC, each student is encouraged to consult with the dean, department chair, advisor or registrar of the school he or she expects to attend. Students are strongly encouraged to declare a major upon first enrolling at the College.

Visit the Preparing for Transfer page for more information.

Learning Outcomes: Associate in Arts

EFSC's Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree and General Education use the program level outcomes listed below to support the Core Abilities.

• Critical Thinking
• Information Literacy
• Inquiry and Analysis
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Quantitative Literacy
• Written Communication