The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees are provincial credentials offered by many institutions in BC. These credentials are designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students for life as an educated person, and to lay a solid foundation for further study. 

The associate degree curriculum comprises two years of university level study, requiring the completion of 60 credits which is approximately twenty courses in a credit based system (one course = 3 credits).

See more info on Associate Degrees, their requirements, how to transfer with an Associate Degree, and FAQs about Associate Degrees.

I took several university transfer courses many years ago. Will they still count towards meeting the requirements for an associate degree?

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.

Can I complete an associate degree by taking courses at multiple institutions?

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.

Are there advantages to taking an associate degree if I plan to get a bachelor ’s degree anyway?

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.