» Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students who want to pursue a four-year degree in one of the liberal arts disciplines or training at a professional school that requires a strong liberal arts background.

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60-61 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer courses. The set of courses within the Associate in Arts program outline has been designed to transfer to all public and many private four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina. The degree program also includes opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use.

Students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university should speak to their academic advisor before or during their first semester at MCC. The academic advisor will assist in mapping out the coursework to include transferrable credit from general education courses and elective courses that fit the specific requirements of the transfer school of choice. Click to view the Associate in Arts program outline.

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding college transfer: Academic Advising Information

Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.

University Agreements

In the North Carolina Community College System, the Associate in Arts degree program is included in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement as a fully transferrable degree. The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and to Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to transfer with junior status. For a list of transfer institutions within the CAA and ICAA: University Transfer Agreements

Additional co-admission articulation agreements are available with several North Carolina Colleges and Universities and are updated each year. Students must meet the requirements for participation and progression to remain eligible for guaranteed acceptance. To learn more about co-admission articulation agreements: Co-Admission Programs

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Students who successfully complete 12 semester hours of associate degree coursework with a Grade Point Average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship, will be invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society. Membership is voluntary and open to all curriculum students meeting minimum eligibility. The society provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. To learn more about PTK and other MCC clubs and organizations, click here.