MEMORANDUM

DATE: January 16, 2002

TO: Chief Academic Affairs Officers

FROM: Linda L. Baer Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

SUBJECT: Two-Year Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, and Transfer

This memorandum serves to clarify the purpose of two-year programs, especially as it relates to transfer. We are finding several instances where students contemplating transfer do not know the transfer implications and difference between certificates, diplomas, Associate in Arts (AA) degrees, Associate in Science (AS) degrees and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees.

This memorandum is being sent to confirm the definitions; your assistance is requested in distributing this information to your faculty, staff, and students as appropriate. I am also requesting that you review your catalog, program guide publications, and web-site information. These information sources must clarify the intent of your programs in concurrence with MnSCU Policy.

MnSCU Policy 3.17 establishes the criteria for certificates, diplomas, and degrees. This policy authorizes the conferral of two-year associate degrees which are designed to transfer to four-year institutions (AA and AS degrees). MnSCU Policy 3.17 also establishes criteria for certificates, diplomas, and the AAS degree, all of which are typically not designed to transfer to a four-year institution.

The following summarizes MnSCU Policy 3.17 as it relates to two-year academic programs:

 

Two-Year Academic Programs Designed for Transfer

 · Associate in Arts Degrees are 60 to 64 semester credits in length and may be awarded for successful completion of a liberal arts and sciences curriculum designed to constitute the first two years of a baccalaureate degree.  An AA degree must include the entire Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (40 semester credits) which, pursuant to Minnesota Statute must transfer to any MnSCU university.  Students must, however, be provided proper advising, as they may need to enroll in specific courses to meet general education and program major requirements of a four-year institution.

 · Associate in Science Degrees are 60 to 64 semester credits in length and may be awarded for successful completion of a program designed for transfer to a baccalaureate major in a related scientific or technical field, or may be designed for employment.  An AS degree must have at least one articulation agreement between the college awarding the AS degree and a four-year institution awarding a related baccalaureate degree.  The AS degree must include a minimum of 30 semester credits in general education.  General education must be selected from at least six of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.  The AS degree must transfer pursuant to the terms and conditions of the articulation agreement, and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within the AS degree must transfer to any MnSCU college or university.

 

Two-Year Academic Programs Not Designed for Transfer

· Associate in Applied Science Degrees are 60 to 72 semester credits in length and may be awarded for successful completion of a program primarily intended for employment.  Associate in Applied Science Degrees are typically not designed for transfer and need to be identified as such in college information.  Specific exceptions must be noted in college information where formal written transfer agreements, if any, exist. The AAS degree must include a minimum of 25 percent general education credits.  General education classes must be included in the degree from at least three of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.  The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within the AAS degree must transfer to any MnSCU college or university.

 Several AAS degree programs are articulated with Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degrees.  In these cases, the AAS degree must transfer pursuant to the terms and conditions of the articulation agreement, and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within the A.A.S.  Degree must transfer to any MnSCU college or university.

 · Diplomas are 30 to 72 semester credits in length and may be awarded for successful completion of a program intended to provide students with employment skills.  Diplomas are typically not designed for transfer and need to be identified as such in college information. Specific exceptions must be noted in college publications where formal written transfer agreements, if any, exist.  Any Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within a Diploma must transfer to any MnSCU college or university.

 · Certificates are 9 to 30 semester credits in length and may be awarded for successful completion of a specialized program of study.  Certificates are typically not designed for transfer and need to be identified as such in college information.  Specific exceptions must be noted in college publications where formal written transfer agreements, if any, exist.  Any Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses within a Certificate must transfer to any MnSCU college or university.