The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares an individual for transfer to a four-year college or university. Consistent with the IAI model and the ICCB Administrative Rules, City Colleges of Chicago requires that the degree is inclusive of a minimum of 37 semester hours of General Education.

For students who want to earn an associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution, the Associate in Arts degree (AA) is the traditional choice for most students. The AA degree indicates a student has mastered the basics of higher education. This degree plan provides you with the IAI General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) courses explained above, and in addition, you will select elective classes (25 credit hours).

Students are required to take at least one course that fulfills the State of Illinois Human Diversity (HD) requirement for the Associate in Arts degree.

Related Degrees and Certificates

• General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) Credential
• Associate in Arts

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
ENGLISH 102	Composition	3
SPEECH 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
Mathematics		3
Fine Arts & Humanities 1		9
Social and Behavioral Sciences		9
Physical Sciences & Life Sciences 2		7
AA Electives
Students should work with a College Advisor to select appropriate core and elective courses or select an AA semester map as a guide.		23
Total Hours		60

¹

At least one (1) of the courses must be from the Fine Arts category, and at least one (1) must be from the Humanities category.

²

At least one (1) of the courses must be from the Physical Sciences category, and at least one (1) must be from the Life Sciences category. At least one (1) lab course is required.

At least one course must meet the Human Diversity (HD) requirement.

AA Transfer Pathways

Recommended electives may vary by transfer institution. Choose your courses with your College Advisor.