Program Requirements
Anoka-Ramsey Community College offers six types of academic programs to help you achieve your educational and career goals. They include:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Applied Arts (AAS)
- Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Diploma
- Certificate
The following page breaks down the differences in degree programs, certificates, and diplomas as well as offering information about program completion application and graduation for students who are nearing the end of their academic program.
Associate of Applied Science Degrees
The Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) is intended for students who plan to use the competencies gained through their degree for immediate employment. The AAS degree is granted in a specific major and typically about two-thirds of the coursework is in the career/program area. Approximately one-third of the courses are from the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) .
Transfer Note
The AAS degree is not designed to transfer to a four-year college. However, the MnTC courses typically do transfer and some of the career-oriented courses taken at Anoka-Ramsey may also transfer to specific majors at selected schools. Please see an advisor for specific information regarding transferring courses.
General Requirements for AAS Degrees
- A minimum of 60 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC
- Satisfy residency requirements
- Completion of specific degree requirements
- To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate.
Associate of Arts Degrees
The Associate of Arts degree (AA) is intended primarily for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree. Students may also choose to concentrate in a particular field of study as preparation for a planned major at a four-year college or university. At least 40 of the 60 credits must be taken within the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) with all ten goals completed. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an educational plan with their assigned Anoka-Ramsey advisor to assure that the AA degree and pre-major requirements are fulfilled.
Transfer Note
An agreement with Minnesota State provides that Anoka-Ramsey’s Associate of Arts degree (or MnTC) will satisfy all the lower-division general education requirements of any of the Minnesota State institutions.
An agreement with the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities provides that the MnTC will satisfy the University’s liberal education requirements. Anoka-Ramsey also has agreements with many private and out-of-state schools that allow easy transfer of the AA degree. For assistance in program planning, or to explore transfer options, students should meet with an academic advisor.
General Requirements for AA Degrees
- A minimum of 60 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all MnTC courses
- Satisfy residency requirements
- Completion of specific degree requirements
- To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate
Associate of Fine Arts Degrees
The Associate of Fine Arts degree (AFA) is designed primarily for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Students may choose a path leading to art, creative writing, music, or theatre.
Transfer Note
Specific AFA degrees that are designated as Transfer Pathways (listed in their program/degree name) will transfer to certain specified Minnesota State Universities. Students can learn more about transfer pathways at Minnesota State by visiting the Transfer Pathways page in the catalog. Outside of these specified transfer agreements on the transfer pathways, AFA degrees may transfer in part or in their entirety to other baccalaureate institutions.
General Requirements for AFA Degrees
- A minimum of 60 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC
- Satisfy residency requirements
- Completion of specific degree requirements
- To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate.
Associate of Science Degrees
The Associate of Science degree (AS) is intended for students who wish to balance liberal arts education with career-oriented classes. The primary purpose of the degree is to provide the credentials for a specific career and prepare graduates for admission to a four-year college. Approximately one-half of the coursework consists of liberal arts or general education credits and one-half comprises career-oriented courses.
Transfer Note
Specific AS degrees that are designated as Transfer Pathways (listed in their program/degree name) will transfer to certain specified Minnesota State Universities. Students can learn more about transfer pathways at Minnesota State by visiting the Transfer Pathways page in the catalog. Outside of the transfer pathway AS degrees, there are some transfer agreements that exist with selected four-year colleges for each AS degree. Please see an Anoka-Ramsey advisor for specific information regarding these agreements.
General Degree Requirements for AS Degrees
- A minimum of 60 semester credits in courses numbered 1000 or above
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in courses numbered 1000 or above at ARCC
- Satisfy residency requirements
- Completion of specific degree requirements
- To receive your diploma, you must apply to graduate.
Certificates & Diplomas
Certificate and diploma programs, offered in several career fields, are designed to increase students’ knowledge and skills in a specific area/discipline. Certificates are awarded for completion of 9-30 credits of coursework and may have an occupational outcome or address a focused area of study. Diplomas are awarded for completion of 31-72 credits of coursework and prepare students for immediate employment. Many courses within a certificate or diploma program may apply toward an AS or AAS degree in the discipline.
Program Completion Application Information
Catalog Selection for Program Completion Application
Students may choose to fulfill program requirements outline in any single catalog under which they were enrolled, provided the catalog was in effect no more than four years preceding the date of completion. The student must complete all degree requirements under a single catalog.
Degree Residency Requirement
To earn a degree through Anoka-Ramsey, at least 20 semester credits must be earned at Anoka-Ramsey. Students transferring in at least 8 semester credits from another Minnesota State institution or the University of Minnesota may reduce the residency requirement from 20 to 12 credits. Certificates have a reduced residency requirement.
The Program Completion Process
Students must complete one of the program completion applications to ensure a degree/certificate/diploma is posted on your transcript. There is no charge for submitting an application. An official transcript reflects the award you earned and is considered the official documentation of the award.
- Step 1: Submit an online Degree Application or Certificate/Diploma Application to the Records & Registration Office. Students must complete all degree requirements outlined in any single catalog under which they were enrolled, provided the catalog was in effect no more than four years preceding the date of completion.
- Step 2: Submit transcripts from other institutions or academic standard petitions to meet program requirements, if needed.
- Step 3: Confirm your permanent mailing address and email address are current.
Once all program requirements have been met, your degree/certificate/diploma will be posted on your transcript. You will receive an electronic copy of your degree/certificate/diploma, followed by a mailed copy at a later date.
The Degree Application
This application is for the following degrees:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Associate of Fine Arts (AFA).
All students completing a degree, must complete the Degree Application. A separate invitation will be sent for the Commencement Ceremony in which you will need to RSVP to guarantee a seat.
Early submission of the degree application guarantees a review prior to the start of the following semester. This will allow students to schedule any remaining course requirements during the final term of enrollment. Late submissions may be accepted but your name is not guaranteed to be listed in the Commencement Ceremony Program.
| Term of Degree Completion |
Early Submission Timeline |
| Fall |
July 1 |
| Spring |
November 1 |
| Summer |
April 1 |
The Records & Registration Office will process Degree Applications received by the early submission date in the following manner:
- Evaluate the student’s academic record and communicate degree completion status via email. This will allow students to schedule any remaining course requirements during the final term of enrollment.
- Upon completion of the final term, conduct a final review of the student’s academic record and degree requirements.
- If requirements are not met after the final term, students will receive notice and each student will need to notify the Records & Registration Office when requirements will be met.
The Certificate/Diploma Application
This application is for certificates and the Therapeutic Massage Diploma.
Students must submit the application during the semester in which the course requirements are being completed. A review of the student’s academic record and certificate/diploma requirements will be done upon completion of the final term.
Academic Transcripts
The Records and Registration Office at each campus is the official recorder of student academic records and progress. Transcripts contain confidential information and require a student’s signature for release.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College has authorized Parchment to provide online transcript-ordering services 24/7 with the convenience of online credit card payment. Transcript fees are $7.50. See parchment.com.
Students can also order official transcripts directly through the College by completing a transcript request form available in the Business Office during normal business hours, along with a $7.50 fee per transcript. Students can print their own unofficial transcript (Academic Record) for free online by logging into their e-Services account. See more detailed instructions for each process linked here.
Withholding Diplomas and Transcripts
Anoka-Ramsey will withhold the issuance of diplomas to students who have a financial balance on their college account.
Commencement Ceremony
A commencement is held on each campus at the end of each spring semester to celebrate graduation. To learn more about the upcoming year’s commencement ceremony, visit the Commencement webpage.
Students who are invited to participate are fall graduates and those who have submitted a Degree Application for spring or summer of the commencement year. To ensure your name is listed in the commencement program, please follow the Degree Application early submission timeline listed in the section above.
Due to space constraints, we are unable to include certificate and diploma students in commencement at this time.
|
