2.2 Degree Programs

(Adopted 12-2-1991; Revised 4-2-2007; Revised 2-2-2015, 6-14-2021, 4-11-2024)

East Central College offers a variety of degree programs approved by the Board of Trustees, the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and specific accreditors.

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is the institutional transfer degree. The degree is comprised of the Department of Higher Education’s statewide general education requirement and electives in the academic discipline of choice.

The Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree is the institutional transfer degree for students studying in a fine and performing arts program in studio art or music. A specifically articulated degree with selected Missouri public universities, the AFA degree is comprised of a general education core and the necessary coursework to prepare students for a course of study in studio art or music. The degree allows students to elect appropriate specialized coursework related to the respective fine and performing arts baccalaureate program.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is the career technical and workforce preparation degree consisting of a combination of general education and program-based coursework. Many of the career fields offering the AAS degree also offer options in certificates.

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is the institutional transfer degree for students preparing to study in teacher education programs. The degree is comprised of the Department of Higher Education’s statewide general education requirements and electives in education and other disciplines related to teacher education. The AAT degree encompasses the foundational requirements for education preparation defined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Associate of Science (AS) degree is an institutional transfer degree comprised of a general education core and the necessary coursework to prepare students for a course of study in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The degree allows students to elect appropriate specialized coursework for various STEM majors.

Degree requirements may be updated, altered, and revised through appropriate College procedures.  Students must satisfy the set of degree requirements in effect at the time of enrollment at East Central College or the degree requirements current at the time of completion.

2.2.1  Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree (Revised 10-19-2015, 6-14-2021)

Candidates for an AA degree must meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of a minimum of 60 college semester credit hours (a combination of the general education requirements and elective coursework), excluding developmental coursework, in an approved program of study.
    2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all college credit earned.
    3. Satisfaction of the College residency requirement (a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at East Central College).
    4. Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

2.2.2  Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) Degree (Revised 10-19-2015, 6-14-2021)

Candidates for an AFA degree must meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of an approved program of study, consisting of a minimum of 60 college semester credit hours (a combination of the general education requirements and elective coursework), excluding developmental coursework.
    2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all college credit earned.
    3. Satisfaction of the College residency requirement (a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at East Central College).
    4. Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

2.2.3  Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree (Revised 10-19-2015, 6-14-2021)

Candidates for an AAS degree must meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of an approved program of study, consisting of a minimum of 60 college semester credit hours (a combination of the general education requirements and program requirement coursework), excluding developmental coursework.
    2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all college credit earned.
    3. Satisfaction of the College residency requirement (a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at East Central College).
    4. Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

2.2.4  Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degree  (Revised 10-19-2015, 6-14-2021)

Candidates for an AAT degree must meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of an approved program of study, consisting of a minimum of 60 college semester credit hours (a combination of the general education requirements, program requirements, and elective coursework), excluding developmental coursework.
    2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on all college credit earned.
    3. Satisfaction of the College residency requirement (a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at East Central College).
    4. Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.
    5. Demonstrate proficiency in the areas of math, reading, and writing using one of the assessment methods defined by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MoGEA, ACT, SAT, or the Paraprofessional Assessment).

2.2.5  Graduation Requirements for the Associate of Science (AS) Degree (Revised 10-19-2015, 6-14-2021)

Candidates for an AS degree must meet the following degree requirements:

    1. Completion of an approved program of study, consisting of a minimum of 60 college semester credit hours (a combination of the general education requirements and elective coursework), excluding developmental coursework and career technical coursework.
    2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all college credit earned.
    3. Satisfaction of the College residency requirements (a minimum of 15 credit hours must be completed at East Central College).
    4. Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

2.2.6  Second or Subsequent Degree or Certificates

Any student seeking an AAS, AS, AAT, AFA, or a certificate as a second or subsequent degree or certificate must complete all requirements for the desired degree or certificate.  A student may not receive more than one (1) Associate of Arts degree.

2.2.7  Regulatory Agency Approved Programs or Accredited Programs

Degree programs with external regulatory approval or accreditation will follow the rules of the regulatory body or accreditor regarding the transfer in of credit, residency in the program, or other action related to the program of study.  Such rules will be made available to the students in program documents, admissions packets, Academic Pathways webpage, or the College catalog.