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Types of Degrees

Associate of Arts Degree. An associate of arts degree is awarded upon completion of a 60 credit academic program in the liberal arts and sciences without a named field of study. It is designed for transfer to baccalaureate degree-granting college or university.

  • At Minnesota State College Southeast, liberal arts and sciences courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Arts degree. Students enrolled in an AA degree program must complete a minimum of 40 liberal arts and sciences semester credits in all ten (10) different transfer goal areas that fulfill the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. All students much complete at least one (1) Communications/English course and one (1) Mathematics course as well as any other liberal arts and sciences courses listed on the specific program plan.

Associate of Science Degree. An associate of science degree is awarded upon completion of a 60 credit academic program in scientific, technological, or other professional fields.

  • Liberal arts and sciences courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Science degree. Students enrolled in an AS degree program must complete a minimum of 30 liberal arts and sciences semester credits in at least six (6) different transfer goal areas of the ten (10) goal areas in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. All students much complete at least one (1) Communications/English course and one (1) Mathematics course as well as any other liberal arts and sciences courses listed on the specific program plan.

Associate of Applied Science Degree. An associate of applied science degree is awarded upon completion of a 60 credit academic program in a named field of study in scientific, technological or other professional fields. At least 30 credits shall be in the academic program's occupational or technical field of preparation.

  • Liberal arts and sciences courses numbered 1100 or above meet the requirements of an Associate of Applied Science degree. Students enrolled in an AAS degree program must complete a minimum of 15 liberal arts and sciences semester credits in at least three (3) different transfer goal areas of the ten (10) goal areas in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. All students must complete at least one (1) Communications/English course and one (1) Mathematics course as well as any other liberal arts and sciences courses listed on the specific program plan.

Diploma. A diploma is awarded upon completion of a 31 to 72 credit undergraduate academic program that prepares students for employment. A minimum of 24 credits shall be in occupational or technical courses.

  • General education courses numbered 1000 or above meet the requirements for diplomas. Students enrolled in a diploma program must complete the general education/applied courses listed on the specific program plan.

Undergraduate Certificate. An undergraduate certificate is awarded upon completion of a 9 to 30 credit academic program. An undergraduate certificate may have an occupational outcome or address a focused area of study.

  • General education courses numbered 1000 or above meet the requirements for certificates.  

Developmental General Education Courses 
Courses at this level are numbered "zero" level. They are designed to enhance the quality of student learning by strengthening academic skills and do not satisfy program requirements. Based on basic skills and placement tests* and/or past recent high school science experience, students enroll in developmental coursework so they will be better prepared to enter a program major.

Pre Developmental General Education Courses 
Courses at this level are numbered "zero-zero" level. They are designed to prepare students for developmental coursework and beyond. They do not satisfy program requirements, cannot count towards credit load, and are not eligible for financial aid. Based on basic skills/placement tests, such as the Next-Gen Accuplacer, students enroll in pre developmental coursework to strengthen their academic skills in math and/or English.

*See the Placement Test Scores chart for more detailed information.