About this degree
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is geared towards students who want to finish their degree and move directly into employment. The AAS prepares you for the workforce in a variety of fields like automotive technology, computer technology, nursing, cosmetology, early childhood development, graphic design, heavy equipment operations and many more. See areas of study listed below.
Our AAS degree programs are based on skills achievement, and many have affiliations with external accrediting agencies and national professional organizations that not only demonstrate the programs’ currency but also increase your employability options. The career benefits of the AAS are significant and can be your path to a solid economic future.
Note: Not all programs are offered all semesters or at all NPC locations. Some courses are offered only on demand. An NPC academic adviser can provide you with the accurate and up-to-date information you need to ensure a speedy path to career success.
NPC Requirements
- The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree requires a minimum of 64 hours of course credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Some courses have placement requirements or prerequisites that may result in coursework beyond 64 credits. These courses, too, require a grade of “C” [or “P”] or better. For information about prerequisites, see Part IV, Course Descriptions, or consultan NPC academic adviser.
- The Certificate of Applied Science requires a minimum of 24 credits in a single area of specialization and six specified units of general education.
- Certificate of Proficiency requirements vary according to the skills demanded for training or retraining in occupational fields. Only programs totaling 32, or more, credit hours are recognized at commencement. Certificates of Proficiency are posted on the student’s transcript.
- Certificate of Completion may be awarded for achieving the competencies required in some courses with a ‘C’ grade or higher. These certificates are utilized only for courses which have recognizable and special benefit for the student. Certificates are issued upon completion of the specified courses.
- In most general education courses, special emphasis is placed on developing written communication skills with intensive writing requirements. Race and ethnic issue awareness is embedded throughout the general education requirements.
- Students are encouraged to work closely with their academic adviser to ensure that all studies will apply toward their degree or educational goals.
Degree Requirements
64 Total Credits
Specific programs may designate or limit course options, and general education requirements in certain programs may exceed 19 credits. Always consult with an NPC academic adviser to ensure you meet ALL program/degree requirements.
Communications • 6 credits
- ENL 101 College Composition I • 3 credits
Plus one of the following based on program options:
- ENL 102 College Composition II • 3 credits
- ENL 109 Technical Writing • 3 credits
- SPT 120 Public Speaking • 3 credits
Mathematics • 3 to 6 credits
See specific program for requirements.
Discipline Studies:
Select one course from the Physical and Biological Sciences and one course from either the Arts and Humanities or Social and Behavorial Sciences, unless otherwise noted in the specific program description.
Arts and Humanities • 3 credits
Select one course from the following:
- ART 101 Understanding Art • 3 credits
- ART 115 Art History I • 3 credits
- ART 116 Art History II • 3 credits
- ENL 220 World Literature I • 3 credits
- ENL 221 World Literature II • 3 credits
- ENL 224 English Literature I • 3 credits
- ENL 225 English Literature II • 3 credits
- HUM 150 Humanities in the Western World I • 3 credits
- HUM 151 Humanities in the Western World II • 3 credits
- MUS 150 Music Appreciation • 3 credits
- PHL 101 Introduction to Philosophy • 3 credits
- PHL 105 Introduction to Ethics • 3 credits
- SPT 130 Introduction to Theatre • 3 credits
Physical and Biological Sciences • 4 credits
Select one course from the following:
- BIO 100 Biology Concepts • 4 credit
- BIO 105 Environmental Biology • 4 credit
- BIO 160 Introduction to Human Anatomy
- and Physiology I • 4 credit
- BIO 181 General Biology I • 4 credit
- BIO 182 General Biology II • 4 credit
- BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I • 4 credit
- BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II • 4 credit
- CHM 130 Fundamental Chemistry • 4 credit
- CHM 151 General Chemistry I • 4 credit
- CHM 152 General Chemistry II • 4 credit
- GEO 111 Physical Geography • 4 credit
- GLG 101 Introduction to Geology I - Physical • 4 credit
- GLG 102 Introduction to Geology II - Historical • 4 credit
- PHY 113 General Physics I • 4 credit
- PHY 114 General Physics II • 4 credit
Social and Behavioral Sciences • 3 credits
- *ANT 102 Cultural Anthropology • 3 credits
- BUS 140 Principles of Economics - Macro • 3 credits
- BUS 141 Principles of Economics - Micro • 3 credits
- *GEO 110 World Regional Geography • 3 credits
- *HIS 105 U.S. History to 1877 • 3 credits
- *HIS 106 U.S. History since 1877 • 3 credits
- *HIS 155 Western Civilization to 1700 • 3 credits
- *HIS 156 Western Civilization since 1700 • 3 credits
- POS 110 American Government • 3 credits
- PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology • 3 credits
- PSY 200 Psychology of Adjustment • 3 credits
- PSY 240 Developmental Psychology • 3 credits
- SOC 120 General Sociology • 3 credits
- SOC 121 Social Problems in America • 3 credits
- SOC 130 Racial, Ethnic & Gender Relations in Modern Society • 3 credits
- SOC 225 Sociology of the Family • 3 credits
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) meet requirements for Contemporary Global/International or Historical Awareness.
Core Program Credits • 24 to 48 credits
Based on the program area you chose to study, most programs require anywhere from 24 to 48 core credits that focus on the skills specific to that area of study. See your area of study for specific requirements. Always consult an NPC academic adviser to ensure you meet ALL program/degree requirements.
Electives
Elective requirements for the AAS degrees are different for each program and a few programs do not have them. Always consult an NPC academic adviser to ensure you meet ALL program/degree requirements.
