Liberal Arts, AAS
The Associate Degree of Arts and Science in Liberal Arts (AAS) equips students with foundational knowledge and skills including critical thinking, oral and written communication, and problem solving. These skills set students up for success in their next endeavors, whether continuing education or pursuing employment.
This 60-credit program allows students to complete all UW Core General Education Requirements, explore areas of interest, and gain exposure to the three substantive divisions in the College of Letters and Science (Humanities, Natural Science, and Social Science). Additionally, many Bachelor’s programs (and all of the UW System schools) will consider students with this AAS degree to have satisfied their general education requirements. The AAS does not allow completion of a major but can include one or more minors, certificates, and/or microcredentials, subject to relevant L&S policies on those programs.
At UWM, the AAS in Liberal Arts degree is housed within the College of Letters and Science Academic Access Programing Division (AAP). The AAP is also home to the First Year Bridge and FLEX AAS programs as well as the Bachelor of Arts in General Letters. Direct entry to the AAS degree is strictly limited to the Flex and First Year Bridge programs. Additionally, the AAS may be an option for online or face-to-face baccalaureate students at UWM who wish to complete a degree, but decide not to complete a Bachelor's degree.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| L&S Requirements | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Preparatory Coursework
Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program.
General Education Requirements (GER)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.
Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Categories and Credits | ||
| Civics and Perspectives (CP) | 6 | |
| Communication and Literacy (CL) | 6 | |
| Humanities and Arts (HA) | 6 | |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Wellness (NSW/NSWL) | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Requirements
In order to complete the AAS in Liberal Arts, students must satisfy University General Education Requirements (GER) as well as a limited number of the College of Letters and Science requirements including “Breadth,” so that students obtain exposure to courses in each division of the College, and ”International,” which ensures that all students with a degree from UWM have some exposure to courses that take a cross-cultural approach in our globalizing world. Courses that satisfy the L&S Breadth and also satisfy GER may count for each. (Other Letters and Science requirements, including Language other than English, Natural Science Lab, and Research, are not required for the AAS, though courses in any of those categories can count in a required AAS category as appropriate.)
A minimum of 60 credits is required including 30 credits in the College of Letters & Science. At least 15 of those credits must be earned in residence at UWM. The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the AAS attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all AAS credits attempted, including any transfer work.
L&S Requirements
L&S requirements for the AAS include the Breadth requirement and the International requirement.
The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 3 credits (1 course) in L&S courses designated in each of the three substantive divisions: L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences. Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.
To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete one course (3 credits) via either:
- A course with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options); or
- Any study-abroad course.
Students who graduate secondary school in a country other than the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.
Electives
Students will select electives to complete the 60 total credits required for the degree.
Liberal Arts AAS Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree program have demonstrated proficiency with:
- Knowledge of Human Cultures: Students can describe and evaluate existing knowledge of human cultures by interpreting and analyzing data, texts, and/or artifacts and/or applying concepts across disciplines.
- Knowledge of the Natural World: Students can describe and evaluate existing knowledge of the natural world by interpreting, analyzing, and communicating data, results, and conclusions and/or applying concepts across disciplines.
- Critical Thinking: Students will investigate problems and execute analytical, practical, or creative tasks.
- Creative Thinking: Students will combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways.
- Effective Communication: Students use reading, listening, speaking, and/or writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences; students use language effectively to construct scholarly, evidence-based arguments.
- Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: Students have developed cultural self-awareness in the context of diverse human cultures and/or developed strategies for effectively and appropriately negotiating intercultural interactions.
- Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility: Students can engage in active learning to explore ethical, social, and/or environmental issues. Students can apply knowledge and skills for the purpose of civic engagement.
College of Letters and Science 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.