Complete two years of undergraduate arts at VCC, earning a solid foundation for upper-level university programs or a standalone credential.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze, evaluate, and interpret written, spoken, and/or visual texts from a variety of academic disciplines
- Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information collected through classroom presentations and individual research
- Construct effective essays, reports, and oral presentations that demonstrate an understanding of appropriate academic rhetorical strategies and research documentation
- Integrate knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines
- Apply general and specific disciplinary knowledge to solving problems in a classroom environment
- Work well independently and in teams
- Demonstrate effective computer skills to successfully complete academic projects
- Apply the knowledge and skills gained in the associate degree to higher-level study in third and fourth-year courses at a university or related institution
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The expected length of the program is 24 months. Most courses are offered during the VCC Academic Year, from September to April. Courses are also offered in the Summer Term, from May to August. There is the option of part-time studies, which would result in a longer time frame for completion of the credential. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is four years.
Courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and activities and may include the following, depending on the academic discipline and specific course objectives: lectures, class discussion, group work, guest speakers, films/videos, online and blended learning, demonstrations, case studies, field trips, laboratories, applied practical experiences and other approaches as determined by the instructor.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
Notes:
- Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite courses leading to courses in the Associate degree (for example: prerequisite course Pre-calculus 11 or equivalent needs to be successfully completed in order to take ECON 1100 Microeconomics). See the requirements for each course.
- Specific post-secondary courses may be used to substitute for secondary school courses at the discretion of the appropriate departments.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
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Courses *
Students are strongly advised to check the admissions policies of their desired transfer institution, specifically to ensure that they meet any additional criteria for specific program areas, such as majors and minors. A minimum Associate of Arts degree GPA may be required.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
University transfer courses can be taken as stand-alone credits. Students do not have to declare their intention of completing the Associate of Arts degree to register in courses. Courses are open to any student who meets the general and specific requirements for each course.
However, students must meet the Associate of Arts program admissions requirements before courses can be used to satisfy the Associate of Arts degree.
Note: New courses will be developed to meet the needs of the program and react to ongoing changes in higher education. Please speak to Advising or the Department for support in selecting courses.
For detailed course descriptions, consult the course outlines available on the main VCC website.
The Associate of Arts Degree requires the successful completion of a minimum 60 credits that have assigned or unassigned credit at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, or the University of Northern British Columbia.
For further details about how a course is defined (e.g. arts/science/other, first-year/second-year, lab science/non-lab science etc.) please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/
Students must complete:
A. 6 credits in first-year English
B. 9 credits in Science which shall include at least:
B1. 3 credits in Mathematics, Computing Science or Statistics
B2. 3 credits in a laboratory Science
C. 36 credits in Arts which shall include:
C1. A minimum of 18 credits in second-year Arts taken in two or more subject areas
C2. 6 credits in the Social Sciences
C3. 6 credits in Humanities (including the Creative and Performing Arts) other than English
D. 9 credits in Arts, Science, or other areas.
Total Program Credits: 60.0 (minimum)
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
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