Associate of Arts
All degrees start here!
The Associate of Arts is a provincial credential designed for you to explore a mix of disciplines. Most students completing an Associate of Arts will transfer to university in the 3rd year to continue in a degree discipline of choice.
The Associate of Arts is a program that seeks to develop:
- an understanding of, and curiosity about, the world in which we live and work
- an appreciation and openness to a variety of viewpoints, ways of thinking, and human creativity
- your ability for, and interest in, self-directed life-long learning and social responsibilities.
Program Overview
This associate degree is designed with two main purposes in mind. The flexible curriculum enables you to explore a wide range of interests, providing a solid foundation for further study. The other is to provide an experience that helps you hone your study habits, writing skills, and prepares you for work, citizenship, and an enriched life as an educated person. Even if you don’t transfer into a degree program, having obtained an associate degree can prove useful when you seek employment.
Many institutions will guarantee 60 transfer credits for your completed associate degree even if all the courses you took toward the degree don’t transfer individually to that institution. For more information, see Transfer with an Associate Degree
View Associate of Arts Planning Guide
Associate Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-100 | English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL-101 or ENGL-102 | Introduction to Poetry and Drama or Introduction to Prose Fiction | 3 |
| 3 Credits in Math, Computing Science or Statistics | Earned at least 3 credits from CSCI, MATH, or STAT | 3 |
| 3 Credits in a Lab Science | Choose from Lab Sciences | 3 |
| 3 credits in an additional science course | Choose from Sciences or Lab Sciences | 3 |
| 6 Credits in Humanities Other than English | Choose from Humanities Other Than English | 6 |
| 6 Credits in Social Sciences | Choose from Social Sciences | 6 |
| 6 Additional credits in Arts | Choose from Fine Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences | 6 |
| 18 Credits in second year arts in at least 2 or more different subjects | Choose from Second Year Fine Arts, Second Year Humanities or Second Year Social Sciences | 18 |
| 9 Credits in Arts, Science, or other Areas (any combination) | Choose from Fine Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Business Management or Social Sciences | 9 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
Associate of Arts (AA) – Pre-Major:
If you are interested in a Social Work degree, click here to learn more about our Associate of Arts – Social Work Pre-Major pathway.
Have plans to go to university? We recommend you work with an Education Advisor for course selection.
Course Information
ENGL-100 – English Composition
English 100 focuses on composition strategies for writing across academic disciplines. Over the course of the term, students will develop an awareness of how rhetorical situations affect composition and refine their understanding of the fundamentals of essay writing (and clear communication more broadly), including paragraphing, thesis statements, essay structure, and citation methods. Students will also learn the fundamentals of critical thinking and analysis, persuasive writing techniques (including rhetorical appeals and modes), scholarly research, and academic reading.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent.
- Delivery Method: ? Blended, On-campus, Online
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
ENGL-101 – Introduction to Poetry and Drama
An introduction to the critical reading of literature through the study and analysis of poetry and drama across historical periods from Shakespeare to twenty-first century poets and dramatists. While this course will teach students how to perform college-level literary analysis of canonical texts, it will also teach them how to question and evaluate the cultural narratives that literature circulates. As such, the class will explore questions of gender, class, race, nationhood/nation building, and the problematic literary canon in order to develop strategies for negotiating complex literary texts and to become better, more nuanced readers.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent. Note: ENGL 100 is recommended for students who need to focus on composition skills.
- Delivery Method: ? On-campus
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
ENGL-102 – Introduction to Prose Fiction
English 102 introduces students to the genre of literary fiction from the origins of the short story in early nineteenth century to the novels of twentieth and twenty-first century. The aim of ENGL 102 is to read fiction with an understanding of genre, technique and form; to apply various critical strategies to literary texts; and to develop analytical writing skills appropriate to essays at the university level. Ultimately, the course encourages students to consider how narrative forms can shape, challenge and respond to their moral, social, and political contexts.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Prerequisites: Minimum 65% in either English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent. Corequisites: ENGL 100 is recommended for students who need to focus on composition skills.
- Delivery Method: ? Blended, On-campus, Online
- Cost: $372.57
- Course Outline
Electives
Refer to our A-Z Course listings and check course availability in AccessCOTR from the following subjects:
| Anthropology | Communications | Creative Writing |
| Criminology | Economics | English |
| Fine Arts | First Nations Studies | French |
| Geography | History | Indigenous Studies |
| Philosophy | Psychology | Sociology |
| Spanish |
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
- Earned a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in at least 1 of the following:
- ENST 12 – English Studies 12
- ENFP 12 – English First Peoples 12
- ENGL090 – English – Provincial Level
Recommended Admission Requirements
- All Mathematics and Statistics courses require prerequisites in this program.
Recommended:
- Basic computer skills
Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students
For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)
Year 1
| Application Fee: | $30.00 |
| Tuition: | $3,725.70 |
| Lab Fee: | $256.14 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.80 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $240.00 |
Year 2
| Tuition: | $3,725.70 |
| Lab Fee: | $170.76 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.80 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $240.00 |
*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Tuition and Fees for International Students
For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)
Year 1
| Application Fee: | $100.00 |
| One-time International Education Fee: | $100.00 |
| Tuition: | $16,340.70 |
| Lab Fee: | $256.14 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.80 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $240.00 |
| Guard.me Insurance: | $270.00 |
Year 2
| Tuition: | $16,340.70 |
| Lab Fee: | $170.76 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.80 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $240.00 |
*Tuition and Fees for international students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook and supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.
Refer to: International Education Fees Schedule for 2026/27 tuition.
Career Info and Pathways
Your Associate of Arts Degree provides a great starting point towards further education and opens up endless educational and career opportunities. Here are just a few career options you could work toward:
- Author/Writer
- Editors
- Graphic Arts Technicians
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Painters and Decorators (except interior decorators)
- Painters, Sculptures, and other visual artists
- Psychologists *
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers *
- Secondary School Teachers *
- Other Professional Occupations in Social Sciences
* High Opportunity Occupation
Associate of Arts (AARTS) Degree – Block Transfer Agreements
| To Institution | Program | |
|---|---|---|
| College of the Rockies | Bachelor of Business Administration Note: Individual assessment required. | Planning Form |
| Okanagan College | Bachelor of Business Administration Note: Completion of Associate Degree with minimum grade of 67%. Students who have not met the degree requirements of the BBA will be expected to take a bridging semester. | Transfer Agreement |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Note: A student or students must meet all other entrance criteria as per the program admission requirements on the Royal Roads University website. | Transfer Agreement |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication Note: you can take the Journalism/Writing pathway or the Associates of Art general pathway. If you are interested in either of these pathways we recommend speaking with an education advisor. | Transfer Agreement |
Program Details
Delivery Method:?
Blended, On-campus, Online
Credential:
Associate Degree
Categories:
Block Transfer Agreements with Other Institutions, Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Science, University Studies
Interests:
Complete a Degree
Contact Details
Cranbrook
2700 College Way,
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca
