Most colleges on the semester system require 60 credit hours or more to obtain the A. A. degree. Typical classes are three-credit hours so expect to take about 20 courses to complete the degree in about two years, although it will take longer if you attend part time. Most colleges require students to complete a specific number of credit hours at their institution, approximately 25% of their course work. Colleges typically require a grade point average of 2.0 and many require at least a C in specific courses.
Most courses required for an A. A. degree fall into the category of general education, such as mathematics, science, social science, and English, which will fill the general education requirements for a four-year degree. For example, Florida State College at Jacksonville and other colleges in the state of Florida system require students to take 36 semester hours of general education courses in communication, mathematics, humanities, natural science and social and behavior science. Students have a choice of courses within some categories.
Students select the rest of their courses, approximately 24 semester hours, based on their personal interests or intended major. Counselors work with students to plan a specific program of study. There are many options for electives which vary by academic institution. Some examples of elective areas are: anthropology, criminal justice, geography, psychology, and political science.
Many students who get an A. A. degree intend to transfer to a four-year college or university for a bachelor's degree. For example, the state of Florida requires students in associate degree programs to take specific courses in their future major and guarantees the student with an AA degree from a Florida community college will have junior-level standing in state universities. Some university systems, for example Pennsylvania, New York and Florida, accept all credits from graduates of community colleges.