Undergraduate Programs

Occupational Endorsement and Undergraduate Certificates

The university offers two types of certificates at the undergraduate level:

• Occupational endorsement certificates (OECs) are certificates requiring 29 or fewer credits to complete. These certificates provide the specialized knowledge and skills needed in specific employment sectors.

• Undergraduate certificates of 30-60 credits offer focused instruction in a concentrated area. These certificates provide knowledge and skill development in broad enough areas to prepare students for entry into a variety of career fields. They are particularly appropriate in scientific or technical areas such as health care, computer systems, transportation or industrial technology.

General University Requirements for Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

UAA offers three types of associate degrees, all of which require the completion of a minimum of 60 credits:

• Associate of Arts (AA) degrees combine broad studies in written communication, oral communication, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences, with elective coursework selected by the student. The degree provides broad exposure to systems of thought and inquiry, allows exploration of a variety of disciplines and learning experiences, and provides a solid foundation for further study at the baccalaureate level.

• The Associate of Science (AS) degree combines broad studies in written communication, oral communication, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences, with elective coursework particularly in the areas of natural sciences, social sciences, and health-related fields. The AS provides a solid foundation for further study at the baccalaureate level, with advising pathways into social science, natural science, health, and behavioral health degrees.

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees provide applied or specialized studies that are used to satisfy a student’s specific educational needs. Many AAS programs prepare students for work in a particular field of employment. Some AAS programs are designed to provide a foundation for a specific related baccalaureate degree. Students in AAS programs build knowledge and skills needed to carry out specific tasks while they develop abilities in the essential elements of communications, computation and human relations.

General University Requirements for Associate Degrees

Baccalaureate Degrees

UAA offers a number of Baccalaureate degrees, depending upon the field of study. The two primary types are as follows:

1. Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees generally require additional course work in the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences and offer greater flexibility in elective credits, with a focus upon broad-based achievement in preparation for graduate school, the corporate or business worlds, or education. 
2. Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees generally require additional course work in math and the natural sciences (with labs), with a focus upon discipline-specific technical classes pertaining to particular professions or preparation for advanced study. 

If a program offers both a BS and a BA degree, the programs need to be distinct by a minimum of 12 credits.

UAA also offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), the Bachelor of Human Services (BHS), the Bachelor of Music (BM), and the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Post-baccalaureate certificates present a cohesive sequence of related courses designed to provide continuing education past the baccalaureate level. Upon completion of a post-baccalaureate certificate, students will have acquired an area of specialization or an interdisciplinary perspective, or will have completed requirements for professional certifications awarded by agencies outside the university. Post-baccalaureate certificates are designed with a majority of undergraduate coursework.

General University Requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Minors

A minor is a component of a baccalaureate degree. A minor may only be issued simultaneously with a baccalaureate degree. A minor from UAA consists of a minimum of 18 credits, at least 6 of which must be upper division. Students must earn at least 3 credits in residence in each minor field. They must also earn a UAA cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 (C) in the minor. Students must follow minor requirements from the same catalog used for the baccalaureate program. Refer to each discipline for specific requirements. Students must declare minors no later than the deadline to submit an Application for Graduation.