Associate of Arts

Diploma: Associate Degree

Location: Broadway

A group of students sits in a row inside a lecture hall or classroom setting, looking forward and paying attention to a presentation or lecture.

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Overview

Complete two years of undergraduate arts at VCC, earning a solid foundation for upper-level university programs or a standalone credential.

Not accepting applications at this time.

Credential Associate Degree
Length 2 years
Hours Part- or Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Program status Closed

What to expect

Courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and activities and may include the following, depending on the academic discipline and specific course objectives:  lectures, class discussion, group work, guest speakers, films/videos, online and blended learning, demonstrations, case studies, field trips, laboratories, applied practical experiences and other approaches as determined by the instructor.

What you will learn

  • Analyze, evaluate, and interpret written, spoken, and/or visual texts from a variety of academic disciplines
  • Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information collected through classroom presentations and individual research
  • Construct effective essays, reports, and oral presentations that demonstrate an understanding of appropriate academic rhetorical strategies and research documentation
  • Integrate knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines
  • Apply general and specific disciplinary knowledge to solving problems in a classroom environment
  • Work well independently and in teams
  • Demonstrate effective computer skills to successfully complete academic projects
  • Apply the knowledge and skills gained in the associate degree to higher-level study in third and fourth-year courses at a university or related institution

Program duration and maximum time for completion

The expected length of the program is 24 months. Most courses are offered during the VCC Academic Year, from September to April. Courses are also offered in the Summer Term, from May to August. There is the option of part-time studies, which would result in a longer time frame for completion of the credential. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is five years.

Admission requirements

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
  • English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent

Notes:

  1. Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite courses leading to courses in the Associate degree (for example: prerequisite course Pre-calculus 11 or equivalent needs to be successfully completed in order to take ECON 1100 Microeconomics). See the requirements for each course.
  2. Specific post-secondary courses may be used to substitute for secondary school courses at the discretion of the appropriate departments.

Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended considerations

Program availability

Not currently available.

Courses

Students are strongly advised to check the admissions policies of their desired transfer institution, specifically to ensure that they meet any additional criteria for specific program areas, such as majors and minors. A minimum Associate of Arts degree GPA may be required.

University transfer courses can be taken as stand-alone credits. Students do not have to declare their intention of completing the Associate of Arts degree to register in courses. Courses are open to any student who meets the general and specific requirements for each course.

However, students must meet the Associate of Arts program admissions requirements before courses can be used to satisfy the Associate of Arts degree.

Note: New courses will be developed to meet the needs of the program and react to ongoing changes in higher education. Please speak to Advising or the Department for support in selecting courses. 

For detailed course descriptions, consult the course outlines available on the main VCC website.

The Associate of Arts Degree requires the successful completion of a minimum 60 credits that have assigned or unassigned credit at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, or the University of Northern British Columbia.

For further details about how a course is defined (e.g. arts/science/other, first-year/second-year, lab science/non-lab science etc.) please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/

Students must complete:

A. 6 credits in first-year English  

B. 9 credits in Science which shall include at least: 

B1. 3 credits in Mathematics, Computing Science or Statistics 

B2. 3 credits in a laboratory Science

C. 36 credits in Arts which shall include:

C1. A minimum of 18 credits in second-year Arts taken in two or more subject areas

C2. 6 credits in the Social Sciences

C3. 6 credits in Humanities (including the Creative and Performing Arts) other than English

D. 9 credits in Arts, Science, or other areas.

Total Program Credits: 60.0 (minimum)

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and costs

Not accepting applications at this time.

How to apply

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

International students

Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.

Contact us

Program information

<p>For questions about University Transfer courses, email our math, science, and humanities departments at:</p>
<p>[email protected]<br />
[email protected]<br />
[email protected]</p>

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: [email protected]

Advising services for International students

[email protected]

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial. Learn about VCC’s commitment to decolonization and Indigenization.