Types of Degrees & Certificates

An associate degree requires completion of at least 60 semester credit hours. Many associate degrees are designed to transfer as the first two years of college work for a bachelor's degree. UC Clermont College offers the following types of associate degree programs:

Associate of Arts (AA) — The associate of arts degree, usually referred to as a transfer program, is designed for students who want two years of a liberal arts education or plan to complete the requirements for the first two years of college, then transfer as juniors to Ohio institutions of their choice. Students who complete the associate of arts degree will have completed the Ohio Transfer Module requirements and are guaranteed credit transfer to any Ohio public institution and many private colleges and universities.

Associate of Science (AS) — The associate of science degree, usually referred to as a transfer program, is designed for students who want two years of a liberal arts education or plan to complete the requirements for the first two years of college, then transfer as juniors to Ohio institutions of their choice. Students who complete the associate of science degree will have completed the Ohio Transfer Module requirements and are guaranteed credit transfer to any Ohio public institution and many private colleges and universities.

Associate of Applied Business (AAB) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) — The associate of applied business and associate of applied science degrees are awarded in recognition of successful completion of career-technical education programs and prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. The curricula for applied associate degree programs are described in terms of technical and non-technical studies. Non-technical studies include general education and courses that serve as a base for the technical field (sometimes referred to as "applied general education" or "basic" coursework). Non-technical studies, including general education and applied general education courses, make up about 50 percent of the program.

Associate of Technical Study (ATS) — The associate of technical study degree is awarded for successful completion of a planned program of study designed to respond to the need for specialized technical education not currently available in the formal degree programs. The program must have an area of concentration that is equivalent to 30 semester credit hours in technical studies and a clearly identified career objective. There are two types of ATS degree pathways:

Type A: Combines two or more programs into one two-year degree to serve a career objective that would not be adequately addressed by one of the existing programs alone, or

Type B: Awards block credit for courses completed or training received by a student at other institutions of higher education, career-technical institutions or other educational enterprises judged by the institution to be of college level and for which the institution awards degree credit.

A bachelor degree requires completion of at least 120 semester credit hours. UC Clermont College offers a technical bachelor's degree in Applied Administration. The program is geared toward students who already successfully completed an applied associate degree (AAB, AAS, ATS) and seek a pathway to obtain a bachelor's degree without any loss of academic credits from their previous degree. This career-oriented "2+2", 60-semester-credit-hour program builds on the two-year technical associate degree program to prepare students to advance in their career field.

A certificate provides intensive study, usually one-two semesters, in a specific discipline. Earning a certificate prepares students to enter a specific career field, obtain industry certifications or supplement an associate degree with additional specialized studies. Some certificates are designed to fulfill required courses in an associate degree enabling students to continue their education upon completion of the certificate.