What is an associate degree general education transfer program

​​AA and AS Core Requir​​ements

While the number of credits vary in each core category, the AA and AS degrees share the same core courses. The best strategy for your first semester is to choose core courses from either degree. That way if you change your mind or major, the chance of taking courses that are not required for your degree is minimized.

The Loading...Associate in Arts Degree (AA) degree is best suited for transfer to a four-year college for many majors. In addition, the AA degree provides the most flexibility for students that are undecided about a transfer college or major.

• The AA degree requires 45 credits of core (general education) coursework.
• Core courses are courses normally completed during the first two years of most four-year degrees.

The Loading...Associate in Science Degree (AS) degree is best suited for students that want to enter a career field after two years but want the option to transfer to a four-year college in a related field.

• The AS degree requires 28 credits of core coursework.
• The AS degree combines core coursework and coursework specific to a particular major.

The programs of study that lead to an Loading...Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) degree include specific courses required for the degree in addition to the AAS degree requirements. Refer to individual AAS programs to learn degree requirements in addition to these general requirements. Students must complete a specific program in order to receive the AAS degree.

The Loading...Associate in General ​Studies (AGS) degree is designed for those individuals who wish to choose a vocational/technical course of study suited to their unique needs. While some courses taken to complete this degree may transfer to a four-year college/university, students are cautioned that this degree is not intended as a transfer degree; nor does this degree represent a specific course of study. Students should check with potential employers and institutions to which they might transfer to determine if the AGS degree will be compatible with their future goals.

Trans​​fer

Some majors have prerequisite courses or specific admission criteria. Once you have decided on a major, speak with an advisor at the four-year college to determine the best way to prepare for transfer to your intended major. This will help you plan your DMACC courses.

Choosing a transfer college and major early will help you make your course selections while you are a student at DMACC. Contact with an advisor at the transfer college is important in order to receive accurate information regarding transfer admission and requirements for your major.

Articulation agreementsare available for different transfer colleges and majors. These guides, also known as course equivalency guides and transfer plans, are designed to help students choose DMACC courses that are equivalent to the courses required at the transfer college.

Partnership programs provide the opportunity to connect with another college and its advisors while enrolled at DMACC. Visit with a DMACC counselor or advisor about partnership program options and how to apply.

San Jacinto College offers a variety of certificates and degrees. The College encourages students to complete the requirements of an associate degree at San Jacinto College even if they are planning to transfer to another college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. One advantage of completing a degree is the fact that this action reflects commitment to a specific educational goal and success in meeting that goal. Earning an associate degree is evidence of taking one definable step beyond a high school diploma or the high school equivalency examination, and it is the minimum educational requirement for employment in certain positions in area businesses and industries. The Associate of Arts (AA) and the Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university. This type of degree includes general education courses such as English, mathematics, history, and government, which are considered to be core requirements for most baccalaureate degree programs. Students may include no more than two PHED activity courses in any degree plan.

Earning an associate degree at San Jacinto College includes a 42-semester credit hour (SCH) Core Curriculum and an 18-SCH Transfer Path as outlined below. 

Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum: 42 SCH of Core courses including EDUC 1100 Learning Framework/PSYC 1100 Learning Framework.

If a student successfully completes San Jacinto College’s 42-hour Core Curriculum, that block of courses must be substituted for the receiving institution’s Core Curriculum. The receiving institution may not require a student to take additional Core Curriculum courses to meet the requirements of the Core. Students who transfer without completing the Core Curriculum shall receive academic credit in the Core Curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses the student has successfully completed in the San Jacinto College Core Curriculum. Students should plan Core Curriculum courses that would meet baccalaureate degree requirements at the four-year institution.

The Transfer Path

Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in General Studies, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business, Fine Arts, or Communications. For more information, students may refer to the Core Curriculum and Field of Study sections of the catalog.

General Studies

The Transfer Path for an AA in General Studies requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from academic courses. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to General Studies (1G-STUDY).

Social & Behavioral Sciences

The Transfer Path for an AA in Social & Behavioral Sciences requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from ANTH, CRIJ, GEOG, GOVT, HIST, HUMA, PHIL, PSYC, or SOCI. The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Social & Behavioral Sciences (1SOC-BEHV).

Business

The Transfer Path for an AA in Business requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH in any combination from ACCT, BCIS, BUSI, ECON, or MARA, including at least one of the following:

• BUSI 1301 Business Principles,
• BUSI 2305 Business Statistics,
• ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics,
• ACCT 2302 Principles of Managerial Accounting, or
• MARA 2401 Introduction to Ships and Shipping.

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Business (1BUSINESS).

Fine Arts

The Transfer Path for an AA in Fine Arts requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH from the student’s chosen discipline including at least one of the following:

• ARTS 1316 Drawing I,
• ARTS 2348 Digital Media,
• DANC 1151 Freshman Dance Performance,
• DANC 2151 Sophomore Dance Performance,
• DRAM 1330 Stagecraft I, or 
• DRAM 1351 Acting I. 

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. Students interested in a music concentration should reference the AA in Music. For more specific information, students may refer to Fine Arts (1FINEARTS).

Communications

The Transfer Path for an AA in Communications requires 18 SCHs with at least 12 SCHs in any combination from CHIN, COMM, ENGL, FREN, GERM, SGNL, SPAN, or SPCH, including at least one of the following: 

• CHIN 1412 Beginning Chinese II,
• FREN 1412 Beginning French II,
• GERM 1412 Beginning German II,
• SGNL 1402 Beginning American Sign Language II,
• SPAN 1412 Beginning Spanish II,
• COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communications,
• ENGL 2322 British Literature I,
• ENGL 2323 British Literature II,
• ENGL 2327 American Literature I,
• ENGL 2328 American Literature II,
• ENGL 2332 World Literature I,
• ENGL 2333 World Literature II,
• ENGL 2341 Forms of Literature: Literature and Film,
• ENGL 2351 Mexican American Literature, or
• SPCH 1318 Interpersonal Communication.

 The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Communications (1COMM)

Associate of Science Degree

The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year or upper-level college or university and major in mathematics, one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, physics, biotechnology, or related fields), engineering, or computer science. For more information, students may refer to the Core Curriculum and Field of Study sections of the catalog. Students who were pursuing a Life Sciences AS or Physical Sciences AS prior to fall 2021, may click on the appropriate degree link to go to the catalog information for those degrees. For a degree link from before 2020-2021, students may go to the Previous Catalogs link to find the correct version.

Natural Science

The Transfer Path for an AS in Natural Science requires 18 SCH in sciences courses with at least 12 SCH in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS, including at least one of the following:

• BIOL 1307 Biology for Science Majors II (lecture)/BIOL 1107 Biology for Science Majors II (lab)
• CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I (lab),
• CHEM 2325 Organic Chemistry II (lecture)/CHEM 2125 Organic Chemistry II (lab),
• GEOL 1304 Historical Geology (lecture)/GEOL 1104 Historical Geology (lab), or
• PHYS 2326 University Physics II (lecture)/PHYS 2126 University Physics II (lab),

except

• BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/BIOL 1108 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab),
• BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture)/BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab),
• BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab),
• BIOL 1322 Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 
• CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1105 Introductory Chemistry I (lab)), and
• GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lecture)/GEOL 1101 Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I (lab).

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Natural Science (2NATSCI).

Computer Science

The Transfer Path for an AS in Computer Sciences requires 18 SCH including:

• COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I and
• COSC 1437 Programming Fundamentals II;

and at least 6 SCH from:

• COSC 2436 Programming Fundamentals III,
• COSC 2325 Computer Organization,
• MATH 2413 Calculus I,
• MATH 2414 Calculus II,
• PHYS 2325 University Physics I (lecture)/PHYS 2125 University Physics I (lab), or
• PHYS 2326 University Physics II (lecture)/PHYS 2126 University Physics II (lab). 

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Computer Science (2COSCI).

Mathematics

The Transfer Path for an AS in Mathematics requires 18 SCH with at least 12 SCH selected from:

• MATH 2318 Linear Algebra,
• MATH 2320 Differential Equations,
• MATH 2413 Calculus I,
• MATH 2414 Calculus II, or
• MATH 2415 Calculus III.

The remaining SCH will be selected to meet the student's specific transfer institution requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Mathematics (2MATH).

Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) is a collegiate degree program approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. The AAT degree, as defined by THECB, is fully transferable to all Texas public universities. Because the AAT fulfills the requirements of the Field of Study AAT curriculum statutes and THECB rules, all Texas public universities must accept the AAT curricula if they offer the applicable baccalaureate degrees leading to initial teacher certification.

Students who complete the AAT at San Jacinto College will be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including grade point averages and/or testing requirements.

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.

Teaching—Early Childhood to 6th Grade

The Transfer Path for an AAT in Teaching - Early Childhood to 6th Grade requires 18 SCH including: 

• MATH 1350 Mathematics for Teachers I (Fundamentals of Mathematics I),
• MATH 1351 Mathematics for Teachers II (Fundamentals of Mathematics II),
• EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession,
• EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations,
• TECA 1354 Child Growth and Development,

and depending on teaching speciality and university requirements, one of the following:

• TECA 1303 Families, School and Community,  
• HIST 2301 Texas History, or
• CHEM 1305 Introductory Chemistry I (lecture)/CHEM 1105 Introductory Chemistry I (lab).

For more specific information, students may refer to Teaching - Early Childhood to 6th Grade (1TEACH-EC6).

Teaching—Grades 7-12

• The Transfer Path for an AS in Teaching - Grades 7 to 12 requires 18 SCH including EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession, EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations, and content area courses depending on teaching speciality and university requirements. For more specific information, students may refer to Teaching - Grades 7 to 12 (1TEACH7-12).

Associate of Arts in Music

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) allows a community college to combine a Field of Study (FOS) and a portion of the Core Curriculum, including government and history, to create a 60 semester credit hour (SCH) degree. The Associate of Arts (AA) in Music is a combination of the Music FOS and the College Core Curriculum.

The College designed the AA in Music to apply to Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music Education (BMEd), or other baccalaureate-level music degrees as deemed appropriate by the awarding institution.

For more specific information, students may refer to Music (1MUSIC).

Associate of Science in Engineering Degree

The Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE) is a collegiate degree approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to an engineering degree. The ASE, as defined by THECB, is fully transferrable to Texas public universities that participate in the Tuning In Texas articulation agreement (transfer compact).

The College recommends students seek the advice of an educational planner and an engineering faculty member or Department Chair. Students who complete the ASE will be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving institution, including grade point averages and/or testing requirements.

For more specific information, students may refer to Engineering (2ENGINEER).

Field of Study (FOS)

The state of Texas mandated field of study curricula in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997). Core curricula and field of study curricula are intended to facilitate free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities if a student successfully completes a field of study curriculum. Fields of study are developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), but not for all majors. Students may transfer the block of courses in the field of study to a general academic teaching institution in Texas, and the institution must substitute the field of study curricula for that institution’s lower-division (freshman and sophomore level) requirements for the degree program in that field of study. The student will receive full academic credit toward the degree program for the block of courses transferred.

A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another, without completing all courses in the field of study curriculum at the sending institution, will receive academic credit in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy the remaining course requirements in the field of study curriculum at the receiving institution. A student concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education should follow the field of study curriculum requirements of the institution at which the student is classified as a degree-seeking student. THECB maintains a list of available Field of Study (FOS) curricula. 

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