Associate in Applied Science

The Associate in Applied Science degree is designed to prepare you to enter the workforce with specific occupational skills. In addition to Associate degrees, SMC offers certificate programs. Numerous certificate programs are offered in career areas and are designed to develop or enhance employment skills.

Students receiving the AAS degree must complete the curriculum as specified by the responsible school or division. Curriculum guides have been created for the each of the occupational programs that culminate in an AAS degree. The AAS degree requires a minimum of 62 program credits.* Follow the link on this page to Occupational Programs (and Certificates) for complete details on each program’s requirements including prerequisites and course sequence.

All students obtaining a degree at Southwestern Michigan College are required to take certain general education classes to meet core curriculum requirements. These include speech, wellness, two semesters of English composition and proficiency in mathematics and computer use. Refer to the Core Curriculum section on each of the Curriculum Guides listed on the Occupational Programs (and Certificates) to view the specific requirements for the program.

In most cases the AAS curricula will have courses specified primarily for workforce preparation rather than for transfer. Some AAS curricula will still be designed to meet transfer requirements. This is especially the case where we have specified articulation agreements.

*Selected curricula may have additional credits as mandated by approving or accrediting agency.