FAQs

You will be required to complete 60 credits which is approximately twenty courses in a credit based system (one course = 3 credits).

If you study full-time, you should be able to complete the associate degree within two academic years (based on 15 credits per term for 4 terms).

Yes, a limited number of courses in outside Arts and Science can count towards the associate degree. The Associate of Arts degree allows up to a maximum of 9 credits of “Other” courses, while the Associate of Science degree allows up to 6 credits of “Other” courses. See Associate Degree Requirements for more details.

In some instances it may be unclear whether a course is an Arts course or a Science course. Therefore those determinations are left up to the institution granting the associate degree. Normally, courses in Human Geography are designated as Arts courses whereas courses in Physical Geography or Mathematics are designated as Science courses. You should check the regulations at your particular institution.

The associate degree is designed to include first and second year courses considered to be foundational to further studies in the major program and upper divisions. It is not intended to include third and fourth year courses, although it is recognized that, in exceptional circumstances, some students may want or need to include such a course in order to complete their program. It is up to the institution conferring the associate degree to be satisfied that the third and fourth year courses would be accepted for appropriate credit by one or more of SFU, UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan Campus), UNBC and UVic.

Yes, it can count towards completing the requirement of “a minimum of 18 credits in Arts at the second year level” for the Associate of Arts degree because a second year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 200-level or higher level at SFU or UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan Campus) or UNBC or UVic. Likewise, it can count towards meeting the Associate of Science degree requirement of “a minimum of 18 credits in Science at the second year level”.

Courses in Humanities (including the Creative & Performing Arts) normally refer to those taken in disciplines such as French, German (or other languages), English, Creative Writing, Film, Theatre, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Visual Arts. Courses in Social Sciences normally refer to those taken in disciplines such as Anthropology, Criminology, Economics, Geography (courses in Physical Geography are often classified as a Science), Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Courses in disciplines such as History or Women’s Studies may be classified as either Social Science or Humanities. Institutions are authorized to make this determination, so check how specific courses are defined by your institution.

Yes, providing the courses in Communications transfer as English credit. A course is defined not by what it is named at the sending institution but rather by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at a university. For example, Communications 145 (3 credits) at Capilano University transfers to UVic as unassigned 100 level English credit (1.5 units). Therefore, it is considered an English course and can count towards meeting the English requirement for the Associate Degree.

As long as the individual courses also receive either assigned or unassigned transfer credit at SFU or UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan Campus) or UNBC or UVic.

That depends. Many institutions consider that knowledge acquired more than ten years ago may no longer be current, so they may not grant credit for “stale-dated” courses. Courses in rapidly evolving fields such as information technology may have an even shorter shelf life. Check with your institution regarding their policy.

The requirements for an associate degree define a laboratory science as “one in which a substantial component of student instruction involves the study of natural phenomena, either in the laboratory or in the field.” Many science courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, etc. include a laboratory component. Each institution granting the associate degree has the authority to determine which of its courses can satisfy this requirement.

Probably not. BCCAT has reviewed this question in consultation with the Computing Science Articulation Committee and has recommended to institutions that computing science lab courses not be acceptable for fulfilling the laboratory science requirement. You should check the regulations at your particular institution.

Yes, you can accumulate credits at more than one institution and have them count towards an associate degree as long as you meet all the requirements of the credential. Keep in mind most institutions have a residency requirement, which means you must take a certain percentage of your coursework (often 25% or 50%) from the institution granting the degree.

No. The institution granting the associate degree would normally calculate the GPA based on just the 60 credits used to fulfill the requirements. However, if your GPA is close to a 2.0, you should confirm institutional policies to ensure precisely how your GPA will be calculated.

Yes. The associate degree is designed with two main purposes in mind. One is to provide a solid foundation for further study. The other is to provide an experience that prepares you for work, citizenship and an enriched life as an educated person. Even if you don’t transfer into a degree program, having obtained an associate degree can prove useful when you seek employment.

In addition, many institutions will guarantee 60 transfer credits for your completed associate degree even if all the courses you took towards the degree don’t transfer individually to that institution. For more information, read Transferring with an Associate Degree.

If you plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a specific field of study at a particular institution, you should try to select courses that will satisfy the requirements for both degrees. You are strongly encouraged to read calendar requirements, review the BC Transfer Guide, and consult with an academic advisor at your current institution. You should confirm whether or not a specific set of courses that you plan to complete will meet the requirements for an associate degree as well as the specific first and second-year requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Also check in advance with the institution to which you wish to transfer, to confirm their current admissions and transfer policies.

No, you are not guaranteed admission to universities that have priority admission for associate degree holders. However, the likelihood of being admitted is increased. If you have an associate degree you will be given priority admission over transfer students who do not have an associate degree. You are strongly advised to check the admissions policy of the institution to which you would like to transfer, and to find out if there are additional criteria you must meet for specific program areas. A minimum Associate Degree GPA may be required.

No. These policies only provide priority admission to the institution, not to any particular department, program or faculty which may have additional selection criteria. Programs may have additional specific prerequisite courses which must be completed in order to be considered for admission.

No. These policies apply only to those institutions in the BC Transfer System.