Highlights
Why Choose North Island College?
- Same degree, save $20,000. University transfer students completing an associate degree will spend approximately $20,000 less for the first two years of their studies (tuition, fees, books, transport, housing and food) compared to students attending an urban university.
- Keep your options open. Since associate degrees transfer unconditionally as a two-year block of credit at any BC university, you can expect full credit for all your coursework no matter where you choose to continue your studies.
- Freedom to follow your interests. Associate degrees offer direction and flexibility, allowing you to concentrate your studies for a specific degree or explore your interests.
- In good company. Graduates tell us that NIC classes feel like interactive work groups, where everyone has a chance to contribute their opinions and ideas, and you get to know instructors and classmates well.
- Be advised, every step of the way. Student Advisors are dedicated to helping you make the most of your course choices. With one-on-one personal advising, you can be assured that your classes at NIC will help you get where you want to go.
Program Highlights
Associate degrees are offered at many colleges and universities throughout BC. They recognize successful completion of 60 credits of study, which is approximately 20 courses. With full-time study, students can complete an associate degree within two academic years. Part-time study options are also available.
University transfer students who want to keep their university and degree options open will find that an associate degree is definitely the way to go. Associate degrees transfer unconditionally as a two-year block of credit at any BC university. This guarantees students full credit for their coursework regardless of their eventual transfer destination.
Associate degrees also offer a great deal of flexibility. Students can choose their preferred courses from a specific list of eligible courses, making it possible to focus their studies in one specific area or explore a variety of subjects.
Course subjects may include: anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, criminology, economics, English, equity and social justice, fine arts, First Nations studies, French, geography, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, space science and astronomy, Spanish, or women’s studies.
Admission
Admission Requirements
- Complete and submit the NIC Application for Admission form, writing Associate of Arts degree as the program name.
- There are no formal admission requirements for the Associate of Arts degree. However, the following courses are recommended to meet course prerequisites: C in English 12, and a C in Principles of Math 11, Applications of Math 12, Foundations 11, or Pre-Calculus 11).
To Be Successful
- Your first and most important step as a university transfer or associate degree student is to call, email, or visit a Student Advisor at your nearest NIC campus or centre. Student Advisors have extensive knowledge of programs, funding options, career paths and post-secondary transfer agreements, and will help you get started on the right track.
- Students are responsible for selecting only courses that are eligible for the Associate of Arts degree. Always review your study plan with a Student Advisor before registering in courses.
- NIC also offers high school-level upgrading options if you need help meeting prerequisites for entry into individual courses.
- Students who intend to transfer their associate degree as credit towards a four-year degree are advised to review the Steps to University Transfer on the NIC website.
Courses
The following overview describes the general requirements for an Associate of Arts degree. However, choosing the right combination of courses will depend on a number of factors. Our Student Advisors will work with you to personalize these general requirements to meet your goals.
Associate of Arts Degree - General Requirements
Students are responsible for selecting only courses that are eligible for the Associate of Arts degree. See "eligible associate degree courses" below.
- 6 credits in first year English
- 9 credits in Science, including:
- 3 credits in mathematics, computer science or statistics
- 3 credits in a laboratory science
- 3 additional credits in Science
- 36 credits in Arts (which must include a minimum of 18 credits at the 2nd year level in two or more subject areas) including:
- 6 credits in the Social Sciences
- 6 credit in Humanities (excluding English)
- 24 additional credits in Arts
- 9 credits in Arts, Science or other areas
Sample Study Plans
Students may complete a general Associate of Arts degree, or work with a Student Advisor to develop a study plan focused in one of the following subject areas:
Creative Writing
Consider including: ENG 107, ENG 108, ENG 109, ENG 115, ENG 117 and ENG 160. Two of ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 209, or ENG 214.
Anthropology
Consider including: ANT 150, ANT 151, and 9 credits of 200-level anthropology courses.
Criminology
Consider including: CRM 101, CRM 131, CRM 135, CRM 230; HIS 260, MAT 115; one of PHI 100 or PHI 150; POL 151, PSY 130, PSY 131, PSY 260; SOC 110, SOC 111, SOC 220, SOC 230.
First Nations
Consider including: BIO 170, BIO 171, BIO 241; ENG 125, ENG 126; FNS 160, FNS 200; MAT 190, MAT 191; SOC 130, and WST 110.
History
Consider including: 6 credits of 100–level history courses, and 9 credits of 200-level history courses.
Modern Languages
Consider including: 6 credits 100-level French and/or Spanish courses, and 9 credits 200-level French and/or Spanish courses.
North American Studies
Consider including: HIS 112, POL 109; 6 credits of French or Spanish; BUS 152 or BUS 162.
Philosophy
Consider including: 6 credits of 100-level Philosophy courses, and 9 credits of 200-level Philosophy courses.
Political Science
Consider including: 6 credits of 100-level political science courses, and 9 credits of 200-level political science courses.
Psychology
Consider including: PSY 130, PSY 131, and 9 credits of 200-level psychology courses.
Sociology
Consider including: SOC 110, SOC 111, and 9 credits of 200-level sociology courses.
Women’s Studies
Consider including: WST 100, WST 101, HIS 250, HIS 251, and 6 credits chosen from ENG 224, ENG 225, PSY 245, WST 260.
Eligible Associate Degree Courses
The following university transfer courses are eligible for credit towards completion of the Associate of Arts degree:
Arts (includes both Humanities and Social Sciences)
Humanities
- EDU 101, EDU 102
- ENG 107, ENG 108, ENG 109, ENG 115, ENG 117, ENG 120, ENG 121, ENG 125, ENG 126, ENG 160, ENG 202, ENG 203, ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 209, ENG 212, ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 224, ENG 225, ENG 230, ENG 260
- FIN 100, FIN 101, FIN 110, FIN 111, FIN 115, FIN 120, FIN 121, FIN 130, FIN 131, FIN 135, FIN 140, FIN 145, FIN 205, FIN 206, FIN 210, FIN 211, FIN 215, FIN 220, FIN 221, FIN 235, FIN 236, FIN 245, FIN 246, FIN 250
- FNS 160, FNS 200
- FRE 100, FRE 101, FRE 120, FRE 121, FRE 145, FRE 146, FRE 265, FRE 266, FRE 281
- HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 120, HIS 121, HIS 122, HIS 130, HIS 135, HIS 205, HIS 210, HIS 215, HIS 216, HIS 220, HIS 225, HIS 231, HIS 232, HIS 250, HIS 251, HIS 260
- IMG 110
- MCS 110, MCS 130, MCS 200, MCS 280
- PHI 100, PHI 101, PHI 150, PHI 211, PHI 220, PHI 230, PHI 240, PHI 260
- SPN 100, SPN 101, SPN 200, SPN 201
Social Sciences
- ANT 150, ANT 151, ANT 250, ANT 251, ANT 252, ANT 253, ANT 260, ANT 290, ANT 291, ANT 292
- CRM 101, CRM 131, CRM 135, CRM 220, CRM 230, CRM 241, CRM 251
- ECO 110, ECO 111, ECO 245, ECO 270
- ESJ 100, ESJ 101
- GEO 105 LAB, GEO 106 LAB, GEO 111, GEO 112, GEO 200, GEO 209, GEO 210, GEO 211, GEO 214, GEO 205, GEO 206 LAB, GEO 215
- HSW 160, HSW 192
- POL 109, POL 111, POL 119, POL 151, POL 200, POL 201, POL 203, POL 209
- PSY 130, PSY 131, PSY 202, PSY 204, PSY 215, PSY 235, PSY 245, PSY 250, PSY 251, PSY 260
- SOC 110, SOC 111, SOC 130, SOC 210, SOC 212, SOC 220, SOC 230, SOC 240
- WST 100, WST 101, WST 110, WST 260
Sciences
- BIO 102 LAB, BIO 103 LAB, BIO 110 LAB, BIO 111 LAB, BIO 160 LAB, BIO 161 LAB, BIO 170 LAB, BIO 171 LAB, BIO 200 LAB, BIO 201, BIO 202, BIO 211 LAB, BIO 215, BIO 230 LAB, BIO 240 LAB, BIO 241, BIO 260, BIO 261
- CHE 103 LAB, CHE 104 LAB, CHE 110 LAB, CHE 111 LAB, CHE 200 LAB, CHE 201 LAB
- CPS 100, CPS 101, CPS 109, CPS 146, CPS 151, CPS 160, CPS 165, CPS 208, CPS 215, CPS 221, CPS 235, CPS 236, CPS 246, CPS 251, CPS 262, CPS 268, CPS 270
- GEO 105 LAB, GEO 106 LAB, GEO 206 LAB
- MAT 102, MAT 115, MAT 133, MAT 151, MAT 162, MAT 163, MAT 181, MAT 182, MAT 190, MAT 191, MAT 200, MAT 210
- PHY 100 LAB, PHY 101 LAB, PHY 120 LAB, PHY 121 LAB, PHY 141
- SSA 100 LAB, SSA 101 LAB
Business
- BUS 112 & BUS 113 (must take both), BUS 132, BUS 150, BUS 152, BUS 162, BUS 170, BUS 211, BUS 212, BUS 217, BUS 221, BUS 222, BUS 232, BUS 244, BUS 255, BUS 260, BUS 261, BUS 262, BUS 264, BUS 268, BUS 280, BUS 290, BUS 292, BUS 293
Completion Requirements
- Students must achieve an overall average grade of C (cumulative GPA of 2.0) calculated on all courses counting towards the associate degree. No course may be used to meet more than one of the specific associate degree requirements.