General Transfer Studies: AA
Associate in Arts | 60 credit hours minimum
Program Description:
St. Louis Community College’s Associate in Arts degree program provides students with the first two years of study toward a bachelor’s degree with a major in almost any area at a four-year college or university. Students completing the Associate in Arts degree requirements will have completed the 42 credit hours of general education requirements for all public colleges and universities in Missouri. These courses from various general areas become the foundation for advanced study in a number of disciplines.
The 42 credit hours of general education courses provide an opportunity for students to develop skills and knowledge that will enhance their lives far beyond graduation. Students who complete the 42-credit hour block of general education courses will have “CORE 42” noted on their transcripts. Students who complete this block will have satisfied all general education at any Missouri public college or university to which they may transfer. Many private institutions also accept the 42-credit hour block to satisfy their general education requirements. Students wishing to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor for specific requirements.
In addition to the 42 credit hours of CORE 42 general education, students will select 18 credit hours to complete the 60-credit hour Associate in Arts degree. Students should work closely with an advisor to select courses that are transferable to a degree program at a four-year institution. For students who have clear academic goals, these courses may be in a specified academic field, while other students may use these credits to sample a variety of courses to help them determine future academic plans.
Students should become familiar with the requirements at the institution to which they plan to transfer and select their transfer courses carefully. Many bachelor's degree programs have very specific requirements for the freshman and sophomore years, and it is the transferring student’s responsibility to ensure that courses will apply to the bachelor’s degree. Students are encouraged to talk to an advisor to assist in planning a program of study or if they are considering a change in academic plans. Information about the requirements of many transfer institutions is available at stlcc.edu/transfer.
Locations. This program is offered in its entirety at Florissant Valley, Forest Park, Meramec, Wildwood, and Online.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- explore and integrate ideas and concepts from diverse fields of academic study to further academic, personal, and professional inquiry.
- use quantitative, qualitative, and communication skills to define problems and propose solutions.
- identify and apply contributions from a range of academic disciplines to conceptualize and explain enduring and contemporary issues.
- analyze the ethical implications of choices that reflect diversity of cultural, religious, economic, or historic perspectives or experiences.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education 1 | ||
| Written Communications | 6 | |
| Oral Communications | 3 | |
| Mathematics | Students must complete one (1) of the four (4) courses in the Mathematics pathway (MTH 160, MTH 161, MTH 180, or MTH 185), or a course that requires one of the Mathematics pathways courses as a prerequisite. 2 | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Students must complete nine (9) credit hours from at least two (2) different disciplines. One course must be an approved Civics course. | 9 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | Students must complete nine (9) credit hours from at least two (2) different disciplines. There is a limit of three (3) credit hours of Performance courses that can be applied to the Humanities and Fine Arts Knowledge Area and to the total CORE 42. | 9 |
| Natural Sciences | Students must complete seven (7) credit hours from at least two (2) different disciplines. One course must contain a laboratory component. | 7 |
| CORE 42 Elective | Any course designated with a MOTR number can be used to reach 42 credit hours with the exception of a limit of three (3) credit hours of Performance courses. No more than three (3) credit hours of Performance courses can be applied to the entire 42-credit hour CORE 42 general education block. 2 | 5 |
| Electives | ||
| Elective credits within the Associate in Arts degree allow the student to begin working toward an academic major by selecting courses within a discipline or to explore various subjects at an introductory level. Students should consult their transfer institution and/or work with an advisor for best course options. | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Students who complete the 42-credit hour general education block according to CORE 42 guidelines will have “CORE 42” noted on their transcripts. (Students who complete 42 credit hours of general education but who varied from the CORE 42 requirements will have “General Education Completed” noted on their transcript--This applies only to students with a catalog year of 201830 or earlier.)
- 2
Only 3 credit hours from MTH 160S, MTH 161S, and MTH 180S will apply toward the degree.
Full-Time Academic Plan
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
General Education Courses
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| XXX xxx | Written Communications Requirement | 3 | Discuss academic plan and elective choices with an academic advisor. | |
| XXX xxx | Mathematical Sciences Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Oral Communications Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| XXX xxx | Social and Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 | Meet with an academic advisor to review your academic progress by end of semester. | |
| XXX xxx | Written Communications Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Natural Sciences Requirement with lab | 4 | ||
| XXX xxx | Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | CORE 42 Elective | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 16 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| XXX xxx | Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement | 3 | Discuss academic progress with an advisor by the end of semester. | |
| XXX xxx | Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Natural Sciences Requirement | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | CORE 42 Elective | 2 | ||
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| XXX xxx | Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement | 3 | Apply for graduation. | |
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Elective | 3 | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.
Focus Areas
These focus areas are intended for students who plan to transfer to the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) after completion of their associate's degree at St. Louis Community College. Your official degree that you will be pursuing at St. Louis Community College within these focus areas is the Associate in Arts - General Transfer Studies.