Western Texas College offers four two-year college degrees—the Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree, the Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree, and the Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) Degree to students who complete graduation requirements. Hour requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degree will vary with the program.
Associate of Arts/Associates of Science
An Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Science degree is awarded to students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of a minimum of 60 hours of specific academic coursework intended to transfer to four-year universities. The courses consist primarily of an essential 42-hour core curriculum that provides the basic skills and broad-based education needed by most students. The core curriculum can be found in the catalog. The remainder of the 60-hour program is adapted for each student to provide the best transfer possible to the student's intended university. Students should have a degree plan prepared by the Counseling Office or major advisor in the first semester of enrollment or at any time the intended major or intended university changes.
Associate of Arts in Teaching
An Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree is awarded to students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of a minimum of 61 hours of specific academic coursework intended to transfer to four-year university programs in education. The courses include the basic 45-hour core curriculum with additional courses in education, math, science, and/or the intended teaching content area. The curriculum can be found in the catalog. Students should request a degree plan prepared for them in the Counseling Office or by their major advisor during the first semester at WTC or at any other point that the student makes a decision to enter the field of education. The degree plan will be adapted according to the student's intention to teach either early childhood through grade 4, Grades 4-8, Grades 8-12, or in an all-level area such as Physical Education, Music, Art, or Special Education.
Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science Degree is awarded to students who successfully complete an approved curriculum for career and technical programs. Visit the catalog to see more. Each A.A.S. degree must have a minimum of 15 semester hours in general education. The 15 hours of general education must include at least one course in each of the following three areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and mathematics/natural sciences. By the time a student completes 15 semester hours, the student will have a degree plan on file in the Counseling Center.