AAS landing page | Associate of Arts

Build the foundation for your success with an Associate Degree

Want to earn a bachelor’s degree, but need a convenient way to earn credits?

Whether you are seeking your associate degree first, need to take prerequisite courses, or want to supplement your coursework to complete your degree faster, the 100% online University of Wisconsin Associate of Arts and Sciences degree puts you on the path to your next step—whether it’s an associate degree or moving on to earn bachelor’s degree.

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Get information on courses, careers, admission requirements, and more.

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Reach your goals with UW Associate of Arts and Sciences

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Earn a foundational degree

This broad liberal arts degree fulfills the general educational requirements at Universities of Wisconsin schools and other campuses.

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Fulfill prerequisite courses

Take the general education courses required for admittance to your bachelor’s degree program or certain courses.

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Supplement coursework

Complete your on-campus bachelor’s degree faster by taking online courses while pursuing your degree.

If I was not in the [AAS] program, I would have had to completely put my school on break again and would not have been able to continue to get this far. I feel like the program was a godsend for me.

– Nene Frost, UW Associate of Arts and Sciences graduate

The online UW AAS program provides students a structured plan for growth from an academic format into a professional future.

-Josh Hall, UW Associate of Arts and Sciences instructor, Diversity in the U.S.

If students are thinking about [the program] and are on the edge, I look at this: the transferability is big. The flexibility is another big thing. To be able to go ahead and have that availability of taking these classes online and having the flexibility.

-Chris Jones, UW Associate of Arts and Sciences instructor, Lifetime Wellness and Self-Growth

Take the courses you need

The 60-credit associate degree program is designed to provide a broad, balanced liberal arts and sciences background, while satisfying the general education requirements at most four-year institutions. Program courses can also be used to fulfill prerequisites and supplement coursework at other campuses, both within and out of the Universities of Wisconsin. Students may pursue the full degree or take a course or two for transfer

Coursework typically requires students to engage with and analyze human interaction and culture; social organizations and institutions; historical contexts; and complex interdependent systems. To earn the 60-credit associate degree, you must complete 12 credits in this area. Courses include:

Introduction to Anthropology
Introduction to Literature
US History Since 1877
General Psychology
Introduction to Religion

Learn the concepts and applications related to the natural and physical sciences and mathematics. To earn the 60-credit associate degree, you must take 12 credits in this area. Courses include:

Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Chemistry I
Chemistry I Lab
Nutrition and Weight Management
College Algebra

Learn inquiry, problem solving, and qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills. Three credits in Critical and Creative Thinking topics are required to earn the 60-credit associate degree. Courses include:

Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Creative Writing
Critical Thinking

Develop speaking, reading, writing, and information literacy skills. Six credits in Effective Communication topics are required to earn the 60-credit associate degree. Courses include:

Introduction to Public Speaking
Critical Writing and Research
Business Communication

Learn how to interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures through courses in social sciences, humanities, fine arts, foreign languages, and ethnic studies. Courses in this area also typically satisfy the UW System Diversity requirement. Three credits in this area are required to earn the 60-credit associate degree. Courses include:

Intercultural Communication
Diversity in the US
Rock and Roll Roots
First Semester Spanish

Courses in this area provide the foundation for lifelong learning and the intellectual tools for engaging ethically as members of society. Six credits from this area are required to earn the 60-credit associate degree. Courses include:

Introduction to Environmental Studies
Personal Finance
Lifetime Wellness and Self Growth
Crime and Criminal Justice

These foundational courses serve as prerequisites for some courses. The credits earned in these courses are non-degree credits and will not count toward a degree. Courses include:

Introduction to College Writing
Elementary Algebra
Intermediate Algebra

A Collaboration of the Universities of Wisconsin

Universities of Wisconsin is one of the largest and most widely respected public higher education systems in the country. By partnering with all UW campuses to offer online degrees and certificates, students of this program receive a quality University of Wisconsin education—no matter where they live and work.