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 |
CGS ENG 102 | Critical Writing, Reading, and Research | 3 |
| 3 |
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | |
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | |
| Introduction to College Algebra | |
| Algebraic Literacy II | |
| College Algebra | |
| College Algebra | |
| Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I | |
| Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers II | |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Courses used to satisfy the writing and mathematics requirements and their prerequisites may not be used to satisfy a breadth requirement except that:
- 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.
- 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.
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 |
CGS ANT 100 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
| 9-11 |
| Discovering our Past: An Introduction to Archaeology and the Prehistoric World | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | |
| Food, Culture, and Identity | |
| American Indian Societies and Cultures | |
| Religion, Magic and Witchcraft | |
| Introduction to Medical Anthropology: Health and Healing | |
Total Credits | 12-14 |
Art Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| 6 |
| Introduction to Drawing | |
| Three-Dimensional Design | |
| 3 |
| Survey: Ancient and Medieval Art | |
| Survey: Renaissance - Modern Art | |
| Survey: Modern Art | |
| Survey: Modern Architecture and Design | |
| 3 |
| Intermediate Drawing | |
| Two-Dimensional Design | |
| Introduction to Painting | |
| Introduction to Sculpture | |
| Introduction to Printmaking | |
| Introduction to Ceramics | |
| Introduction to Photography (Required courses) | |
Total Credits | 12 |
Biological Sciences Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| 3-5 |
| 3-5 |
| 3-5 |
| 3-5 |
Total Credits | 12-20 |
Business Emphasis
Chemistry Emphasis
Communication Arts Emphasis
Completion of the following courses will fulfill the requirements for this emphasis.
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS CTA 103 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| 9 |
| Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | |
| Introduction to Business and Professional Communication | |
| Introduction to Film | |
| Introduction to Mass Communication | |
| Introduction to Intercultural Communication | |
| Popular Culture in the Media | |
| Internship in Communication and Theatre Arts | |
| Topics in Speech and Dramatic Arts | |
Total Credits | 12 |
Education Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS EDU 201 | Concepts, Issues, and Field Experience in Education | 3 |
CGS EDU 230 | Educational Psychology | 3-4 |
| 3-4 |
| Introductory Psychology | |
| Introductory Psychology | |
| The Exceptional Individual | |
| 3 |
| Life Span Developmental Psychology | |
| Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | |
| History of the United States: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War | |
| History of the United States: From the Era of the Civil War to the Present | |
| American Government and Politics | |
Total Credits | 12-14 |
Engineering Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS EGR 105 | Engineering Fundamentals | 3 |
CGS EGR 201 | Statics | 3 |
| 3-5 |
| Mechanics of Materials | |
| Computer Science I: Object-Oriented Programming | |
| 6 |
| Engineering Graphics with Computer Aided Drafting | |
| Dynamics | |
| Engineering Economics | |
| Economics - Micro | |
Total Credits | 15-17 |
Environmental Studies Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| 4-5 |
| Introductory Chemistry | |
| Concepts of Biology | |
| Foundations of Biological Sciences I | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| Physical Geography: Weather and Climate | |
| 3-4 |
| Environmental Science | |
| General Ecology | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies: Local Applications of Global Sustainability | |
| 3 |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies: Understanding Our Environment | |
| Sociology of the Environment | |
| 3 |
| Trigonometry | |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | |
| Economic and Business Statistics | |
| Intro to Economics | |
| Economics - Macro | |
| Economics - Micro | |
Total Credits | 13-15 |
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| |
| Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies | |
| Women's Voices | |
| Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | |
| Feminist Philosophy | |
| Gender in Popular Culture | |
| Introduction to Masculinities | |
| Women's Health & Sexuality in Society | |
| Sex, Power and Public Policy | |
| Women Writers | |
Total Credits | 12 |
Geography Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS GEO 123 | Physical Geography: Weather and Climate | 4-5 |
CGS GEO 124 | Physical Geography: Landforms | 4-5 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Cultural Geography | |
| World Regional Geography | |
| 3-5 |
Total Credits | 14-18 |
Geosciences Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS GLG 102 | Historical Geology | 4-5 |
CGS GLG 101 | Physical Geology | 4-5 |
or CGS GLG 169 | Environmental Geology |
| 8-10 |
| General Chemistry I | |
| Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | |
| General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | |
| Physics I (Calculus Treatment) | |
Total Credits | 16-20 |
Health Sciences Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS BIO 101 | Concepts of Biology | 5 |
| 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology 1 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology 2 | |
| 5 |
| Introductory Chemistry | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| 2-5 |
| Trigonometry | |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| General Survey of Microbiology | |
| 3-4 |
| Introductory Psychology | |
| Introductory Psychology | |
Total Credits | 19-23 |
History Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
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 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| History of Western Civilization from Ancient Times to the Era of the Renaissance | |
| World History to 1500 | |
| 3 |
| History of Western Civilization from the Era of the Renaissance to Contemporary Times | |
| World History Since 1500 | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Literature Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
Total Credits | 12 |
Mathematics Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
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 |
| 3-5 |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis * | |
| Topics in Finite Mathematics | |
| Statistical Analysis | |
| Linear Algebra | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | |
| Economic and Business Statistics | |
| University Physics I | |
| University Physics II |
| Computer Science I: Object-Oriented Programming | |
| Computer Science II: Objects and Data Abstraction | |
| Engineering Thermodynamics | |
Total Credits | 16-18 |
Music Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS MUS 171 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| 1-2 |
| Beginning Piano | |
| Beginning Piano | |
| Elementary Piano | |
| Elementary Piano | |
| 6 |
| Music Theory II | |
| Music Literature and Appreciation | |
| Music Literature and Appreciation | |
| Jazz History and Appreciation | |
| History of Rock and Roll | |
| World Music | |
Total Credits | 10-11 |
Philosophy Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
CGS PHI 211 | Elementary Logic | 3 |
| 3 |
| Technology, Values and Society | |
| Ethics | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| Biomedical Ethics | |
| 6 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Physics Emphasis
Political Science Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS POL 104 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| 6 |
| Politics of Crime and Punishment | |
| Comparative Politics | |
| International Politics | |
| Sex, Power and Public Policy | |
| 6 |
| Civil Liberties | |
| Media and Politics | |
| Terrorism | |
Total Credits | 15 |
Pre-Nursing Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS BIO 251 | General Survey of Microbiology | 5 |
CGS BIO 202 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
CGS BIO 203 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| 3-5 |
| Introductory Chemistry | |
| Survey of Biochemistry | |
Total Credits | 16-18 |
Psychology Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS PSY 210 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| 3-4 |
| Introductory Psychology | |
| Introductory Psychology | |
| 3 |
| Life Span Developmental Psychology | |
| Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | |
| Psychology of Adulthood and Aging | |
| 3-4 |
| Introduction to Human Biology | |
| Human Structure & Function | |
| Anatomy and Physiology 1 | |
Total Credits | 12-14 |
Sociology Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CGS SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
CGS SOC 234 | Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| 6 |
| Contemporary Social Problems | |
| Sociology of Human Sexuality | |
| Global Social Problems | |
| Sociology of Marriage and the Family | |
| Crime and Criminal Justice | |
| Juvenile Delinquency | |
| People, Organizations, and Society | |
| Sociology of Health and Illness | |
| Practice in Applied Sociology | |
| Independent Reading in Sociology | |
| Sociology of the Environment | |
Total Credits | 12 |
Sustainability Emphasis
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Business | |
| Economic and Business Statistics | |
| Intro to Economics | |
| Economics - Macro | |
| Economics - Micro | |
| Engineering Fundamentals | |
| Economic and Business Statistics | |
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| 7-10 |
| Concepts of Biology | |
| Foundations of Biological Sciences I | |
| Introductory Chemistry | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| Physical Geology | |
| Introduction to Environmental Geology | |
| Environmental Geology | |
| 6-8 |
| Environmental Science | |
| General Ecology | |
| Environmental Conservation | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies: Local Applications of Global Sustainability | |
| Environmental Ethics | |
| 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 |
CGS CTA 130 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
CGS CTA 131 | Theatre Laboratory * | 3 |
| 9 |
| Theatre Laboratory * | |
| Introduction to Acting | |
| Introduction to Film | |
| Internship in Communication and Theatre Arts | |
| Topics in Speech and Dramatic Arts | |
| Introduction to Shakespeare | |
| Introduction to Drawing | |
| Three-Dimensional Design | |
Total Credits | 15 |
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 |
CGS ENG 201 | Intermediate Composition | 3 |
CGS ENG 203 | Creative Writing I | 3 |
CGS ENG/CGS BUS 210 | Business Communication | 3 |
| 1-3 |
| Writing about Literature | |
| Creative Writing II | |
| Writing Tutor Seminar | |
Total Credits | 10-12 |
Liberal Arts AAS Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree program have demonstrated proficiency with:
- Knowledge of Human Cultures: Students can describe and evaluate existing knowledge of human cultures by interpreting and analyzing data, texts, and/or artifacts and/or applying concepts across disciplines.
- Knowledge of the Natural World: Students can describe and evaluate existing knowledge of the natural world by interpreting, analyzing, and communicating data, results, and conclusions and/or applying concepts across disciplines.
- Critical Thinking: Students will investigate problems and execute analytical, practical, or creative tasks.
- Creative Thinking: Students will combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
- Effective Communication: Students use reading, listening, speaking, and/or writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences; students use language effectively to construct scholarly, evidence-based arguments.
- Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: Students have developed cultural self-awareness in the context of diverse human cultures and/or developed strategies for effectively and appropriately negotiating intercultural interactions.
- Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility: Students can engage in active learning to explore ethical, social, and/or environmental issues. Students can apply knowledge and skills for the purpose of civic engagement.
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.