The Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are general transfer degrees. Completion of either program indicates the student has completed a course of study equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees do not officially include a major or minor course of study; nevertheless, students do complete a minimum of 22 credits in a program of study option for either an A.A. or A.S. degree. (For specific information on the Associate of Science degree in nursing, please see the Nursing Programs pages).
Students may also accumulate credits to transfer to another college or university. Completion of the Helena College general education core requirements (31+ credits) satisfies the general core requirements of the Montana University System. All Montana University System institutions will accept the Helena College general education core to satisfy their lower division general education requirements.
| Length of Program | 4 Semesters |
| Type of Program | Associate of Arts, Associate of Science |
| Semester of Entry | Fall, Spring, and Summer |
Minimum Requirements for A.A. and A.S.
- Completion of 60 semester credit hours, 15 credits of which are at the 200 level.
- Completion of 35 credits in General Education, a minimum of 22 credits in a program of study, and 3 credits in an open elective or capstone project where indicated.
- An overall GPA of 2.25 upon completion of the degree.
- A grade of “C-” or higher in each course in the program of study.
Associate of Arts Degree
Students seeking the Associate of Arts degree may concentrate their studies in several content areas. A total of 60 credits is required. Pre-requisite courses may apply to this program.
General Education Requirements 35 credits minimum
Written Communications: 6 credits
WRIT101, WRIT201
Oral Communications: 3 credits
COMM131
Laboratory Science: 4 credits
Choose at least one of the following:
ASTR110, BIOB101/BIOB102, BIOB160, BIOB170, BIOH104, BIOH201, BIOH211, BIOM250/251, CHMY121/122, CHMY123/124, CHMY141/142, CHMY143/144, CHMY221/222, CHMY223/224, GEO101/102, GPHY111, PHSX205/206, PHSX207/208
Math: 3 credits
M115, M121, M122, M151, M171, M172, STAT216
Additional Math/Science: 3 credits
ENSC105, ENSC245, ENSC272, ENST230, EVSC233, GEO101/102, GPHY111, GEO231, GEO299, NUTR221
Social and Psychological Sciences: 6 credits
ANTY101, ANTY103, ANTY250, ECNS201, ECNS202, ECNS203, NASX105, GPHY262, GPHY140, PSCI210, PSCI240, PSYX100, PSYX120, PSYX161, PSYX182, PSYX230, PSYX240, PSYX244, PSYX260, PSYX284
Humanities/Fine Arts: 6 credits
ARTH160, ARTZ105, ARTZ106, ARTZ221, COMM132, COMM133, COMM201, DESN101, ENG222, FRCH101, FRCH102, HSTA101, HSTA102, HSTA160, HSTA215, HSTA255, LIT110, LIT212, LIT213, LIT223, LIT224, LIT227, LIT228, LIT230, LIT250, LIT291, SPNS101, SPNS102, PHL110, PHL215, THTR101, THTR120, WRIT121
Foreign Language: 4 credits
FRCH101, SPNS101, SPNS102
Program of Study: 22 credits minimum
Select one of the following areas: Accounting, Business, Humanities/Fine Arts, General Science, Math, Mental Health Direct Care, Interior Space Planning, Social and Psychological Sciences.
Open Elective: Up to 3 credits
Choose one MUS college course (100 level or above)
Students seeking the Associate of Science degree may concentrate their studies in several content areas.
Associate of Science Degree
A total of 60 credits is required. Pre-requisite courses may apply to this program. Students must meet minimum degree requirements on previous page.
General Education Requirements: 35 credits minimum
Written Communications: 6 credits
WRIT101, WRIT201
Oral Communications: 3 credits
COMM131
Laboratory Science: 8 credits
Choose two sequenced courses from the following:
ASTR110, BIOB101/BIOB102, BIOB160, BIOB170, BIOH104, BIOH201, BIOH211, BIOM250/251, CHMY121/122, CHMY123/124, CHMY141/142, CHMY143/144, CHMY221/222, CHMY223/224, GEO101, GEO102, GPHY111, PHSX205/206, PHSX207/208
Math: 3 credits
M115, M121, M122, M151, M171, M172, STAT216
Additional Math/Science: 3 - 4 credits
ENSC105, ENSC245, ENSC272, ENST230, EVSC233, GEO101, GEO102, GPHY111, GEO231, GEO299, NUTR221
Social and Psychological Sciences: 6 credits
ANTY101, ANTY103, ANTY250, ECNS201, ECNS202, ECNS203, NASX105, GPHY262, GPHY140, PSCI210, PSCI240, PSYX100, PSYX120, PSYX161, PSYX182, PSYX230, PSYX240, PSYX244, PSYX260, PSYX284
Humanities/Fine Arts: 6 credits
ARTH160, ARTZ105, ARTZ106, ARTZ221, COMM132, COMM133, COMM201, DESN101, ENG222, FRCH101, HSTA101, HSTA102, HSTA160, HSTA215, HSTA255, LIT110, LIT212, LIT213, LIT223, LIT224, LIT227, LIT228, LIT230, LIT250, LIT291, SPNS101, SPNS102, PHL110, PHL215, THTR101, THTR120, WRIT121
Program of Study: 22 credits minimum
Select one of the following areas: Accounting, Business, Computer Technology, Environmental Science, General Science, Math
Open Elective: Up to 3 credits
Choose one MUS college course (100 level or above)
