Earning Your Degree

Every occupational and transfer program requires specific courses that you must take, often in a specific sequence, in order to earn a degree or certificate.

Types of Degree Programs

• Occupational Programs: An associate of applied arts degree (AAA), an associate of applied science degree (AAS) or a certificate proves a certain level of training. These can help you gain employment or improve your promotion potential.
• Transfer Programs and Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC):
• • AGEC meets admission and general education requirements for Arizona's three state universities.
  • Take additional courses and earn an associate of arts degree (AA), an associate of science degree (AS) or an associate of business administration degree (ABUS). These often fulfill half the requirements of a bachelor's degree.
  • They also may be transferrable to institutions that are not part of the Arizona state-university system.
• Associate of General Studies (AGS): A uniquely designed degree that you arrange with an advisor or counselor.

Degree Requirements

• General Education Reading: Score above REA091 on the reading assessment or complete the course.
• Prerequisites: Specific courses or knowledge you must have before enrolling in other courses. Find them in course descriptions.
• College Preparation Courses: Reading, writing and math courses you need if you didn't adequately pass on the assessments.

 Degree Elements

• General education courses for a well-rounded education.
• Core or major courses for proficiency in a field of study.
• Support or elective courses to enhance knowledge of a major.

Towards Graduation

• An advisor can help you create a personal Pima Education Plan, a semester-by-semester course of study.
• Check with advisors, counselors, program faculty and department chairs for graduation and degree requirements.
• Complete and submit a formal application for graduation in order to get your degree or certificate.