The Associate of Arts and Sciences degree is the foundation for many college majors. The degree signals to employers that the degree holder has advanced skills in communication and critical thinking skills. These skills are paramount for success in today's workplace. The degree gives the recipients the foundation for acquiring new knowledge, which is vital to pursuing a bachelor's degree and to adapting to change in the work environment. The Associate degree is confirmation of an important accomplishment on the road to a bachelor's degree. Students who complete the Associate of Arts and Sciences degree are considered to have satisfied the General Education Requirements for a bachelor's degree from UWM.

The AAS 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.

Core Requirements 1
CGS ENG 102Critical Writing, Reading, and Research3
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
Quantitative Reasoning
CGS MAT 110
College Algebra
CGS MAT 116
College Algebra
Breadth Categories
Arts and Humanities9
Must include:
1 Arts course
1 Humanities course
Mathematics and Natural Sciences11
Must include:
8 credits in 2 Natural Science areas
1 laboratory science course
Remaining credits can be any MS or NS courses
Social Sciences9
Must include credits from at least 2 disciplines
Cultural Diversity3
Courses may be counted toward another breadth category
Applied Scholarship3
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.
    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 Quantitative Reasoning    		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 Quantitative Reasoning    		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    		Quantitative Reasoning
    and College Algebra    		6

     
  2. A student who earns a C or better in the course below may use the course to satisfy part of the Mathematics and Natural Sciences breadth requirement.
    CGS MAT 115Precalculus4

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.

On This Page

Anthropology Emphasis

Required Course
CGS ANT 100Introduction to Anthropology3
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 ES
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 Credits12-14

Art Emphasis

Required Courses6
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 Credits12

Biological Sciences Emphasis

Required Courses
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component3-5
Biological Sciences (CGS BIO) course with lab component3-5
Total Credits12-20

Business Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS BUS/CGS ENG 210Business Communication3
CGS BUS 201Introductory Accounting4
CGS BUS 230Introduction to Management Information Systems3
CGS BUS/CGS ECO 243Economic and Business Statistics3
CGS ECO 203Economics - Macro3
CGS ECO 204Economics - Micro3
Choose 1 of the following courses:3-4
CGS BUS 202
Intermediate Accounting
CGS BUS 204
Managerial Accounting
Total Credits22-23

Chemistry Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS CHE 145General Chemistry I5
CGS CHE 155General Chemistry II5
CGS CHE 343Organic Chemistry I3
CGS CHE 363Organic Chemistry II3
Total Credits16

Communication Arts Emphasis

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

Required Course
CGS CTA 103Introduction to Public Speaking3
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 Credits12

Education Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS EDU 201Concepts, Issues, and Field Experience in Education3
CGS EDU 230Educational Psychology3-4
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 ES
CGS POL 104
American Government and Politics
Total Credits12-14

Engineering Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS EGR 105Engineering Fundamentals3
CGS EGR 201Statics3
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 Credits15-17

Environmental Studies Emphasis

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 Credits13-15

Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Emphasis

Required Courses3
Choose 1 of the following courses:
CGS GSW 101
Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (IS)
CGS GSW 102
Women's Voices
Elective Courses9
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
Women in Popular Culture ES
CGS GSW 204
Introduction to Masculinities
CGS GSW 210
Women's Health & Sexuality in Society ES
CGS GSW 231
Sex, Power and Public Policy
CGS GSW 279
Women Writers
Total Credits12

Geography Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS GEO 123Physical Geography: Weather and Climate4-5
CGS GEO 124Physical Geography: Landforms4-5
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 Credits14-18

Geosciences Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS GLG 102Historical Geology4-5
CGS GLG 101Physical Geology4-5
or CGS GLG 169 Environmental Geology
Choose 2 of the following, but cannot use both CGS PHY 120 and CGS PHY 2098-10
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 Credits16-20

Health Sciences Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS BIO 101Concepts of Biology5
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 Credits19-23

History Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS HIS 101History of the United States: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War3
CGS HIS 102History of the United States: From the Era of the Civil War to the Present ES3
Any 200-level CGS HIS course3
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 Credits15

Literature Emphasis

Elective Courses
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-2893
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-2893
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-2893
English (CGS ENG) course numbered 242-2893
Total Credits12

Mathematics Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS MAT 221Calculus and Analytical Geometry I5
CGS MAT 232Calculus and Analytic Geometry II4
CGS MAT 233Calculus and Analytic Geometry III4
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 Credits16-18
*

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

Music Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS MUS 171Music Theory I3
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 Credits10-11

Philosophy Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS PHI 101Introduction to Philosophy3
CGS PHI 211Elementary Logic3
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 courses6
Total Credits15

Physics Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS PHY 201University Physics I5
CGS PHY 202University Physics II5
CGS MAT 233Calculus and Analytic Geometry III4
Total Credits14

Political Science Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS POL 104American Government and Politics3
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 Credits15

Pre-Nursing Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS BIO 251General Survey of Microbiology5
CGS BIO 202Anatomy and Physiology 14
CGS BIO 203Anatomy and Physiology 24
Choose 1 of the following courses:3-5
CGS CHE 125
Introductory Chemistry
CGS CHE 203
Survey of Biochemistry
Total Credits16-18

Psychology Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS PSY 210Statistical Methods in Psychology3
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
Principles of Ecology
CGS BIO 202
Anatomy and Physiology 1
Total Credits12-14

Sociology Emphasis

Required Courses
CGS SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
CGS SOC 234Sociology of Race and Ethnicity ES3
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 Credits12

Sustainability Emphasis

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 Credits16-21

Theatre Arts Emphasis

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

Required Courses
CGS CTA 130Introduction to Theatre3
CGS CTA 131Theatre 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 Credits15
*

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

Required Courses
CGS ENG 201Intermediate Composition3
CGS ENG 203Creative Writing I3
CGS ENG/CGS BUS 210Business Communication3
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 Credits10-12

Honors in the 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.