Associate in Arts Program Overview
College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Associate in Arts program is designed to meet the two-year general college requirements of four-year colleges and universities. This broad-based curriculum of the allows you to transfer with junior-level status in almost any field, ranging from traditional academic areas such as economics, education, psychology and English, to pre-professional areas including medicine, law, criminal justice and pharmacy. The Associate in Arts program is also for students who prefer a broad education without predetermined transfer plans.
Looking to fast-track your transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce sooner? Consider a fast-track degree program! The Associate in Arts fast-track degree can be completed entirely online and started at the beginning of any semester.
COA’s Fast Track program is designed to condense the time required to complete an associate degree compared to a traditional program. This program often involves intensive coursework, allowing students to earn their degrees more quickly. Students in this program often need to handle a heavier workload and may find themselves immersed in coursework throughout the year.
Fast Track Associate Degree programs offer several advantages:
-
- Earn your Associate’s degree in just 17 months or less
- Save thousands by completing two years at COA versus a four-year institution
- Enter the workforce faster
- Have the option to transfer to a four-year college or university faster*
*Students who intend to transfer are encouraged to work with the intended four-year college or university and consult with the published CAA Baccalaureate Degree Plans. Courses should be chosen based upon requirements for the student’s intended major at the receiving four-year institution.
Recommended Fast Track Associate in Arts Course Sequencing (Summer Start)
| Semester | Length of Class | Course | Credit Hours | Course Designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 1st 5 Weeks | ACA 122 | 1 | Required Course |
| 2nd 5 Weeks | Recommended: PED 110 | 2 | Health/PE Requirement – Choice of HEA 110 or PED 110 or 2 1 hr Activity Courses | |
| 10 Weeks | Recommended: BIO 111 or AST 111/111A | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| 10 Weeks | Recommended: ART 111 or MUS 110 | 3 | Choice of Humanities/Fine Arts – ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, DRA 111, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 241, ENG 242, MUS 110, or MUS 112 | |
| 10 Weeks | Recommended: HIS 111, HIS 131, or HIS 132 | 3 | Choice of Social Science – ECO 251, ECO 252, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 131, HIS 132, or POL 120 | |
| Total | 13 | |||
| Fall 1 | 16 Week | ENG 111 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp |
| 16 Week | Choice of Math | 3-4 | Choice of UGETC Math – MAT 143, MAT 152, or MAT 171 | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Natural Science | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| 1st 8 Weeks | PSY 150 | 3 | UGETC: Social Science | |
| Total | 13-14 | |||
| Winter Intersession 1* | 4 Weeks | PHI 240 | 3 | UGETC: Humanities/Fine Arts |
| 4 Weeks | SOC 210 | 3 | UGETC: Humanities/Fine Arts | |
| Total | 6 | |||
| Spring 1 | 16 Week | ENG 112 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp |
| 16 Week | COM 231 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: Communications | |
| 16 Week | SPA 111 or FRE 111 | 3 | Required Course – Foreign Language | |
| 16 Week | UGETC or General Education Electives | 6-7 | UGETC or General Education Electives | |
| Total | 15-16 | |||
| Summer 2 | 10 Weeks | CAA Electives | 12-13 | Additional Coursework |
| Total | 12-13 | |||
| Grand Total | 60-61 |
Looking to fast-track your transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce sooner? Consider a fast-track degree program! The Associate in Arts fast-track degree can be completed entirely online and started at the beginning of any semester.
COA’s Fast Track program is designed to condense the time required to complete an associate degree compared to a traditional program. This program often involves intensive coursework, allowing students to earn their degrees more quickly. Students in this program often need to handle a heavier workload and may find themselves immersed in coursework throughout the year.
Fast Track Associate Degree programs offer several advantages:
-
- Earn your Associate’s degree in just 17 months or less
- Save thousands by completing two years at COA versus a four-year institution
- Enter the workforce faster
- Have the option to transfer to a four-year college or university faster*
*Students who intend to transfer are encouraged to work with the intended four-year college or university and consult with the published CAA Baccalaureate Degree Plans. Courses should be chosen based upon requirements for the student’s intended major at the receiving four-year institution.
Recommended Fast Track Associate in Arts Course Sequencing (Fall Start)
| Semester | Length of Class | Course | Credit Hours | Course Designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 1st 8 Weeks | ACA 122 | 1 | Required Course |
| 1st 8 Weeks | Recommended: PSY 150 | 3 | Choice of Social Science – ECO 251, ECO 252, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 131, HIS 132, PSY 150, or POL 120 | |
| 16 Week | ENG 111 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp | |
| 16 Week | SPA 111 or FRE 111 | 3 | Required Course – Foreign Language | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Natural Science | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| Total | 14 | |||
| Winter Intersession 1* | 4 Weeks | PHI 240 | 3 | UGETC: Humanities/Fine Arts |
| 4 Weeks | SOC 210 | 3 | UGETC: Social Science | |
| Total | 6 | |||
| Spring 1 | 16 Week | ENG 112 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp |
| 16 Week | Choice of Math | 3-4 | Choice of UGETC Math – MAT 143, MAT 152, or MAT 171 | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Natural Science | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Social Science | 3 | Choice of Social Science – ECO 251, ECO 252, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 131, HIS 132, PSY 150, or POL 120 | |
| Varies | Choice of Health/PE | 2-3 | Health/PE Requirement – Choice of HEA 110 or PED 110 or 2 1 hr Activity Courses | |
| Total | 15-17 | |||
| Summer 1 | 10 Weeks | Choice of Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | Choice of Humanities/Fine Arts – ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, DRA 111, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 241, ENG 242, MUS 110, or MUS 112 |
| 10 Weeks | COM 231 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: Communications | |
| 10 Weeks | UGETC or General Education Electives | 6-7 | UGETC or General Education Electives | |
| Total | 12-13 | |||
| Fall 2 | 10 Weeks | CAA Electives | 12-13 | Additional Coursework |
| Total | 12-13 | |||
| Grand Total | 60-61 |
Looking to fast-track your transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce sooner? Consider a fast-track degree program! The Associate in Arts fast-track degree can be completed entirely online and started at the beginning of any semester.
COA’s Fast Track program is designed to condense the time required to complete an associate degree compared to a traditional program. This program often involves intensive coursework, allowing students to earn their degrees more quickly. Students in this program often need to handle a heavier workload and may find themselves immersed in coursework throughout the year.
Fast Track Associate Degree programs offer several advantages:
-
- Earn your Associate’s degree in just 17 months or less
- Save thousands by completing two years at COA versus a four-year institution
- Enter the workforce faster
- Have the option to transfer to a four-year college or university faster*
*Students who intend to transfer are encouraged to work with the intended four-year college or university and consult with the published CAA Baccalaureate Degree Plans. Courses should be chosen based upon requirements for the student’s intended major at the receiving four-year institution.
Recommended Fast Track Associate in Arts Course Sequencing (Spring Start)
| Semester | Length of Class | Course | Credit Hours | Course Designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1st 8 Weeks | ACA 122 | 1 | Required Course |
| 16 Week | ENG 111 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Math | 3-4 | Choice of UGETC Math – MAT 143, MAT 152, or MAT 171 | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Natural Science | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| Varies | Choice of Health/PE | 2-3 | Health/PE Requirement – Choice of HEA 110 or PED 110 or 2 1 hr Activity Courses | |
| Total | 13-15 | |||
| Summer 1 | 10 Weeks | ENG 112 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: English Comp |
| 10 Weeks | Choice of Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | Choice of Humanities/Fine Arts – ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, DRA 111, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 241, ENG 242, MUS 110, or MUS 112 | |
| 10 Weeks | Choice of Social Science | 3 | Choice of Social Science – ECO 251, ECO 252, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 131, HIS 132, or POL 120 | |
| 16 Week | Choice of Natural Science | 4 | Choice of Natural Science – AST 111/111A, BIO 111, BIO 112, CHM 151, CHM 152, or PHY 110 | |
| Total | 13 | |||
| Fall 1 | 1st 8 Weeks | Recommended: PSY 150 | 3 | Choice of Social Science – ECO 251, ECO 252, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 131, HIS 132, PSY 150, or POL 120 |
| 16 Week | SPA 111 or FRE 111 | 3 | Required Course – Foreign Language | |
| 10 Weeks | COM 231 | 3 | Required Course – UGETC: Communications | |
| 10 Weeks | UGETC or General Education Electives | 6-7 | UGETC or General Education Electives | |
| Total | ||||
| Winter Intersession 1* | 4 Weeks | PHI 240 | 3 | UGETC: Humanities/Fine Arts |
| 4 Weeks | SOC 210 | 3 | UGETC: Humanities/Fine Arts | |
| Total | 6 | |||
| Spring 2 | 10 Weeks | CAA Electives | 12-13 | Additional Coursework |
| Total | 12-13 | |||
| Grand Total | 60-61 |
Transferring to a Four-Year College or University
COA has a Comprehensive Articulation Agreement CAA (PDF) with certain universities for students in specific programs of study, allowing you to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at COA.
Be sure to check the minimum transfer admissions requirements for the programs you’re interested in. Most University of North Carolina (UNC) system universities require at least 30 credit hours, and that transfer students meet the specific admission requirements for their major.
Visit our college transfer page for more information and links to four-year college transfer admissions websites.
Transfer Agreements
Pharmaceutical Science, Clinical (PDF)
Pharmaceutical Science, Biotechnology (PDF)