The Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree program is a great place for students to begin their college careers. It provides a strong foundation for many bachelor programs. This degree also shows employers that you possess essential employability qualities, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills. 

The AAS program allows you to explore courses related to your intended major while completing the general education classes required for most bachelor’s degrees. Many bachelor's degree programs consider students with an AAS degree to have satisfied their general education requirements.

The AAS program is also perfect for returning students who need to fill in gaps in their general education requirements from their previous college work.

Students can complete the AAS degree in-person, online, or through a combination of both types of courses. The degree is also offered as an online, flexible option. This allows you to earn the credits you need at your own pace, on your schedule, building on knowledge you already have.

Requirements

A minimum of 60 credits is required. At least 36 of the 60 credits, or, at least 12 of the final 24 credits must be earned at UWM. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in credits attempted at UWM.

The Associate of Arts and Sciences degree requires that core requirements in writing and mathematics be completed as well as a distribution of credits in breadth of knowledge categories. The breadth categories in the degree are defined on the General Education page.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Requirements 1
CGS ENG 102	Critical Writing, Reading, and Research	3
Choose one of the following:		3
CGS MAT 102	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II
CGS MAT 103	Contemporary Applications of Mathematics
CGS MAT 105	Introduction to College Algebra
CGS MAT 108	Algebraic Literacy II
CGS MAT 110	College Algebra
CGS MAT 116	College Algebra
CGS MAT 175	Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I
CGS MAT 176	Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers II
CGS MAT 215	Elementary Statistical Analysis
Breadth Categories
Arts and Humanities		9
Must include:
1 Arts course
1 Humanities course
Mathematics and Natural Sciences		11
Must include:
8 credits in 2 Natural Science areas
1 laboratory science course
Remaining credits can be any MS or NS courses
Social Sciences		9
Must include credits from at least 2 disciplines
Cultural Diversity		3
Courses may be counted toward another breadth category
Applied Scholarship		3
Courses may be counted toward another breadth category
Electives
A student who has met the core requirements and the other breadth category minimums may complete the 60 credit minimum requirement with courses in this category.

¹

Students must achieve a grade of C or better or receive an exemption.

• Exemption from the Core Writing requirement can be achieved by submitting a portfolio of written work that demonstrates achievement of the English 102 learning outcomes. Only students who have achieved an appropriate score on the English Placement Test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Arts and Humanities Department) are eligible.
• Exemption from the Core Math requirement can be achieved by earning a placement code of at least 30 on the Mathematics Placement Test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Math and Natural Sciences Department).

Courses used to satisfy the writing and mathematics requirements and their prerequisites may not be used to satisfy a breadth requirement except that: 

1. A student who earns credit in one of the sequences below with a grade of C or better in at least one of the courses may use the other course to satisfy part of the Mathematics and Natural Sciences breadth requirement.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   CGS MAT 102 & CGS MAT 103	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II and Contemporary Applications of Mathematics	6
   CGS MAT 102 & CGS MAT 105	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II and Introduction to College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 102 & CGS MAT 108	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II and Algebraic Literacy II	6
   CGS MAT 102 & CGS MAT 110	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II and College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 102 & CGS MAT 116	Mathematical Literacy for College Students II and College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 103 & CGS MAT 105	Contemporary Applications of Mathematics and Introduction to College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 103 & CGS MAT 108	Contemporary Applications of Mathematics and Algebraic Literacy II	6
   CGS MAT 103 & CGS MAT 110	Contemporary Applications of Mathematics and College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 103 & CGS MAT 116	Contemporary Applications of Mathematics and College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 105 & CGS MAT 116	Introduction to College Algebra and College Algebra	6
   CGS MAT 108 & CGS MAT 116	Algebraic Literacy II and College Algebra	6

   
    
2. A student who earns a C or better in one of the courses below may use the course to satisfy part of the Mathematics and Natural Sciences breadth requirement.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   CGS MAT 115	Precalculus	4
   CGS MAT 124	Pre-Calculus Mathematics	5

Emphases

Students pursuing the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree (AAS) may elect to receive a degree with emphasis: a concentration of coursework in a given discipline or in more than one discipline, in the case of an interdisciplinary emphasis. Students seeking an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree with an emphasis must successfully complete the AAS requirements and the specific emphasis requirements.

Anthropology Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Course
CGS ANT 100	Introduction to Anthropology	3
Elective Courses
Choose 3 additional Anthropology courses:		9-11
CGS ANT 102	Discovering our Past: An Introduction to Archaeology and the Prehistoric World
CGS ANT 104	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
CGS ANT 105	Introduction to Biological Anthropology
CGS ANT 150	Food, Culture, and Identity
CGS ANT 314	American Indian Societies and Cultures
CGS ANT 343	Religion, Magic and Witchcraft
CGS ANT 350	Introduction to Medical Anthropology: Health and Healing
Total Credits		12-14

Art Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses		6
CGS ART 101	Introduction to Drawing
CGS ART 112	Three-Dimensional Design
Choose 1 of the following:		3
CGS ART 181	Survey: Ancient and Medieval Art
CGS ART 183	Survey: Renaissance - Modern Art
CGS ART 187	Survey: Modern Art
CGS ART 188	Survey: Modern Architecture and Design
Choose 1 of the following:		3
CGS ART 102	Intermediate Drawing
CGS ART 111	Two-Dimensional Design
CGS ART 121	Introduction to Painting
CGS ART 131	Introduction to Sculpture
CGS ART 141	Introduction to Printmaking
CGS ART 154	Introduction to Ceramics
CGS ART 161	Introduction to Photography (Required courses)
Total Credits		12

Biological Sciences Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course		3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component		3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component		3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component		3-5
Total Credits		12-20

Business Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS BUS/CGS ENG 210	Business Communication	3
CGS BUS 201	Introductory Accounting	4
CGS BUS 230	Introduction to Management Information Systems	3
CGS BUS/CGS ECO 243	Economic and Business Statistics	3
CGS ECO 203	Economics - Macro	3
CGS ECO 204	Economics - Micro	3
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3-4
CGS BUS 202	Intermediate Accounting
CGS BUS 204	Managerial Accounting
Total Credits		22-23

Chemistry Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS CHE 145	General Chemistry I	5
CGS CHE 155	General Chemistry II	5
CGS CHE 343	Organic Chemistry I	3
CGS CHE 363	Organic Chemistry II	3
Total Credits		16

Communication Arts Emphasis

Completion of the following courses will fulfill the requirements for this emphasis.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Course
CGS CTA 103	Introduction to Public Speaking	3
Elective Courses
Choose 9 credits from the following:		9
CGS CTA 101	Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
CGS CTA 115	Introduction to Business and Professional Communication
CGS CTA 150	Introduction to Film
CGS CTA 201	Introduction to Mass Communication
CGS CTA 210	Introduction to Intercultural Communication
CGS CTA 218	Popular Culture in the Media
CGS CTA 294	Internship in Communication and Theatre Arts
CGS CTA 298	Topics in Speech and Dramatic Arts
Total Credits		12

Education Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS EDU 201	Concepts, Issues, and Field Experience in Education	3
CGS EDU 230	Educational Psychology	3-4
Choose 1 of the following:		3-4
CGS PSY 201	Introductory Psychology
CGS PSY 202	Introductory Psychology
CGS EDU 300	The Exceptional Individual
Choose 1 of the following:		3
CGS PSY 250	Life Span Developmental Psychology
CGS PSY 360	Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence
CGS HIS 101	History of the United States: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War
CGS HIS 102	History of the United States: From the Era of the Civil War to the Present
CGS POL 104	American Government and Politics
Total Credits		12-14

Engineering Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS EGR 105	Engineering Fundamentals	3
CGS EGR 201	Statics	3
Choose a minimum of 1 of the following:		3-5
CGS EGR 203	Mechanics of Materials
CGS CPS 245	Computer Science I: Object-Oriented Programming
Choose a minimum of 2 of the following:		6
CGS EGR 110	Engineering Graphics with Computer Aided Drafting
CGS EGR 202	Dynamics
CGS EGR 282	Engineering Economics
CGS ECO 204	Economics - Micro
Total Credits		15-17

Environmental Studies Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Choose one of the following:		4-5
CGS CHE 125	Introductory Chemistry
CGS BIO 101	Concepts of Biology
CGS BIO 150	Foundations of Biological Sciences I
CGS CHE 145	General Chemistry I
CGS GEO 123	Physical Geography: Weather and Climate
Choose one of the following:		3-4
CGS BIO 191	Environmental Science
CGS BIO 310	General Ecology
CGS INT 283	Interdisciplinary Studies: Local Applications of Global Sustainability
Choose one of the following:		3
CGS PHI 244	Environmental Ethics
CGS INT 284	Interdisciplinary Studies: Understanding Our Environment
CGS SOC 355	Sociology of the Environment
Choose one of the following:		3
CGS MAT 117	Trigonometry
CGS MAT 215	Elementary Statistical Analysis
CGS PSY 210	Statistical Methods in Psychology
CGS ECO 243	Economic and Business Statistics
CGS ECO 101	Intro to Economics
CGS ECO 203	Economics - Macro
CGS ECO 204	Economics - Micro
Total Credits		13-15

Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses		3
Choose 1 of the following courses:
CGS GSW 101	Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
CGS GSW 102	Women's Voices
Elective Courses		9
Choose 3 of the following courses (note: CGS GSW 102 can be counted as an elective if CGS GSW 101 was also completed):
CGS GSW 201	Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
CGS GSW 202	Feminist Philosophy
CGS GSW 203	Gender in Popular Culture
CGS GSW 204	Introduction to Masculinities
CGS GSW 210	Women's Health & Sexuality in Society
CGS GSW 231	Sex, Power and Public Policy
CGS GSW 279	Women Writers
Total Credits		12

Geography Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS GEO 123	Physical Geography: Weather and Climate	4-5
CGS GEO 124	Physical Geography: Landforms	4-5
Choose one of the following:		3
CGS GEO 101	Introduction to Cultural Geography
CGS GEO 110	World Regional Geography
Elective Course - Student/Advisor choice
CGS GEO XXX (Any other CGS GEO course)		3-5
Total Credits		14-18

Geosciences Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS GLG 102	Historical Geology	4-5
CGS GLG 101	Physical Geology	4-5
or CGS GLG 169	Environmental Geology
Choose 2 of the following, but cannot use both CGS PHY 120 and CGS PHY 209		8-10
CGS CHE 145	General Chemistry I
CGS MAT 221	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
CGS PHY 120	General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment)
CGS PHY 209	Physics I (Calculus Treatment)
Total Credits		16-20

Health Sciences Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS BIO 101	Concepts of Biology	5
Choose 1 of the following courses:		4
CGS BIO 202	Anatomy and Physiology 1
CGS BIO 203	Anatomy and Physiology 2
Choose 1 of the following courses:		5
CGS CHE 125	Introductory Chemistry
CGS CHE 145	General Chemistry I
Choose 1 of the following courses:		2-5
CGS MAT 117	Trigonometry
CGS MAT 215	Elementary Statistical Analysis
CGS BIO 251	General Survey of Microbiology
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3-4
CGS PSY 201	Introductory Psychology
CGS PSY 202	Introductory Psychology
Total Credits		19-23

History Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS HIS 101	History of the United States: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War	3
CGS HIS 102	History of the United States: From the Era of the Civil War to the Present	3
Any 200-level CGS HIS course		3
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3
CGS HIS 105	History of Western Civilization from Ancient Times to the Era of the Renaissance
CGS HIS 161	World History to 1500
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3
CGS HIS 106	History of Western Civilization from the Era of the Renaissance to Contemporary Times
CGS HIS 162	World History Since 1500
Total Credits		15

Literature Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Elective Courses
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-289		3
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-289		3
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-289		3
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-289		3
Total Credits		12

Mathematics Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS MAT 221	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I	5
CGS MAT 232	Calculus and Analytic Geometry II	4
CGS MAT 233	Calculus and Analytic Geometry III	4
Elective Courses
Choose from the following courses:		3-5
CGS MAT 215	Elementary Statistical Analysis *
CGS MAT 210	Topics in Finite Mathematics
CGS MAT 228	Statistical Analysis
CGS MAT 229	Linear Algebra
CGS MAT 271	Ordinary Differential Equations
CGS ECO/CGS BUS 243	Economic and Business Statistics
CGS PHY 201	University Physics I
or CGS PHY 202	University Physics II
CGS CPS 245	Computer Science I: Object-Oriented Programming
CGS CPS 255	Computer Science II: Objects and Data Abstraction
CGS EGR 263	Engineering Thermodynamics
Total Credits		16-18

*

CGS MAT 215 is not recommended for students who intend to major in Mathematics.

Music Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS MUS 171	Music Theory I	3
Choose 1 of the following courses:		1-2
CGS MUS 1	Beginning Piano
CGS MUS 2	Beginning Piano
CGS MUS 3	Elementary Piano
CGS MUS 4	Elementary Piano
Choose 2 of the following courses:		6
CGS MUS 172	Music Theory II
CGS MUS 173	Music Literature and Appreciation
CGS MUS 174	Music Literature and Appreciation
CGS MUS 273	Jazz History and Appreciation
CGS MUS 278	History of Rock and Roll
CGS MUS 285	World Music
Total Credits		10-11

Philosophy Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS PHI 101	Introduction to Philosophy	3
CGS PHI 211	Elementary Logic	3
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3
CGS PHI 237	Technology, Values and Society
CGS PHI 241	Ethics
CGS PHI 244	Environmental Ethics
CGS PHI 248	Biomedical Ethics
Elective Courses - Student/Advisor Choice
Choose two additional CGS PHI courses		6
Total Credits		15

Physics Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS PHY 201	University Physics I	5
CGS PHY 202	University Physics II	5
CGS MAT 233	Calculus and Analytic Geometry III	4
Total Credits		14

Political Science Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS POL 104	American Government and Politics	3
Choose 2 of the following courses:		6
CGS POL 120	Politics of Crime and Punishment
CGS POL 160	Comparative Politics
CGS POL 175	International Politics
CGS POL 231	Sex, Power and Public Policy
Choose 2 of the following courses:		6
CGS POL 210	Civil Liberties
CGS POL 215	Media and Politics
CGS POL 280	Terrorism
Total Credits		15

Pre-Nursing Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS BIO 251	General Survey of Microbiology	5
CGS BIO 202	Anatomy and Physiology 1	4
CGS BIO 203	Anatomy and Physiology 2	4
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3-5
CGS CHE 125	Introductory Chemistry
CGS CHE 203	Survey of Biochemistry
Total Credits		16-18

Psychology Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS PSY 210	Statistical Methods in Psychology	3
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3-4
CGS PSY 201	Introductory Psychology
CGS PSY 202	Introductory Psychology
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3
CGS PSY 250	Life Span Developmental Psychology
CGS PSY 360	Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence
CGS PSY 362	Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3-4
CGS BIO 180	Introduction to Human Biology
CGS BIO 201	Human Structure & Function
CGS BIO 202	Anatomy and Physiology 1
Total Credits		12-14

Sociology Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
CGS SOC 234	Sociology of Race and Ethnicity	3
Elective Courses - Student/Advisor Choice
Choose 2 of the following courses:		6
CGS SOC 130	Contemporary Social Problems
CGS SOC 160	Sociology of Human Sexuality
CGS SOC 205	Global Social Problems
CGS SOC 220	Sociology of Marriage and the Family
CGS SOC 231	Crime and Criminal Justice
CGS SOC 246	Juvenile Delinquency
CGS SOC 250	People, Organizations, and Society
CGS SOC 285	Sociology of Health and Illness
CGS SOC 294	Practice in Applied Sociology
CGS SOC 299	Independent Reading in Sociology
CGS SOC 355	Sociology of the Environment
Total Credits		12

Sustainability Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
Choose 1 of the following courses:		3
CGS BUS 101	Introduction to Business
CGS BUS 243	Economic and Business Statistics
CGS ECO 101	Intro to Economics
CGS ECO 203	Economics - Macro
CGS ECO 204	Economics - Micro
CGS EGR 105	Engineering Fundamentals
CGS ECO 243	Economic and Business Statistics
CGS MAT 215	Elementary Statistical Analysis
Choose 2 of the following courses:		7-10
CGS BIO 101	Concepts of Biology
CGS BIO 150	Foundations of Biological Sciences I
CGS CHE 125	Introductory Chemistry
CGS CHE 145	General Chemistry I
CGS GLG 101	Physical Geology
CGS GLG 135	Introduction to Environmental Geology
CGS GLG 169	Environmental Geology
Choose 2 of the following courses:		6-8
CGS BIO 191	Environmental Science
CGS BIO 310	General Ecology
CGS GEO 350	Environmental Conservation
CGS INT 283	Interdisciplinary Studies: Local Applications of Global Sustainability
CGS PHI 244	Environmental Ethics
CGS SOC 355	Sociology of the Environment
Total Credits		16-21

Theatre Arts Emphasis

Completion of the following courses will fulfill the requirements for this emphasis.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS CTA 130	Introduction to Theatre	3
CGS CTA 131	Theatre Laboratory *	3
Elective Courses
Choose 9 credits from the following:		9
CGS CTA 131	Theatre Laboratory *
CGS CTA 232	Introduction to Acting
CGS CTA 150	Introduction to Film
CGS CTA 294	Internship in Communication and Theatre Arts
CGS CTA 298	Topics in Speech and Dramatic Arts
CGS ENG 280	Introduction to Shakespeare
CGS ART 101	Introduction to Drawing
CGS ART 112	Three-Dimensional Design
Total Credits		15

*

A minimum of 3 credits of CGS CTA 131 is required. An additional 1 to 3 credits can be taken of CGS CTA 131 to count towards the emphasis.

Students should be aware that the Theatre Arts Emphasis will give them the basic knowledge and individualized experience to successfully prepare them for a major/minor in Theatre Arts, but they will be required to take additional lower division courses in Theatre when they transfer.

Writing Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
CGS ENG 201	Intermediate Composition	3
CGS ENG 203	Creative Writing I	3
CGS ENG/CGS BUS 210	Business Communication	3
Choose 1 of the following:		1-3
CGS ENG 202	Writing about Literature
CGS ENG 204	Creative Writing II
CGS ENG 291	Writing Tutor Seminar
Total Credits		10-12

College of General Studies Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 20 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 30 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.