Education System

Associate in Arts

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For assistance, call 850-245-0407 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/academics/

What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree Program is to prepare students to transfer from a Florida college to a four-year college or university by providing the first two years of college undergraduate instruction and awarding the associate degree at the program's completion. The AA degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 60 college credits, including 36 hours of general education coursework.

How many students are served?

In 2021-22, Florida College System institutions enrolled 271,015 students in Associate in Arts programs and awarded 54,545 Associate in Arts degrees.

Can students who earn an AA degree transfer to a state university?

Students who complete an Associate in Arts degree at a Florida College System institution may take advantage of Florida's 2+2 articulation agreement (s. 1007.23, Florida Statutes), which guarantees students with a Florida College System AA degree admission to a state university. However, students are not guaranteed transfer into the institution of their choice. According to Department of Education data, approximately 44% of 2020-21 Associate in Arts graduates from Florida colleges transferred to a public state university in the year following graduation.

Each Florida College System institution is also required (s. 1007.23, Florida Statutes) to execute at least one 2+2 targeted pathway program that provides students who graduate with an associate in arts degree and meet other specified requirements guaranteed access to the state university and a degree program at that university.

For more information, refer to the Department of Education's Office of Articulation website.

What type of statewide information is available on student outcomes?

The Department of Education and Department of Economic Opportunity provide information on post-graduation employment outcomes for Florida college graduates.

Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) Publications, Department of Education
Florida's PK-20 Education Information Portal, Department of Education
Economic Security Report 2022, Department of Economic Opportunity

Associate in Arts performance measures and standards may be found in the Department of Education's Long Range Program Plan.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

Career Statewide Articulation Agreements, Report 23-10, November 2023

Florida College System Industry Certifications, Report 19-10, October 2019

School District Postsecondary Industry Certifications, Report 19-09, October 2019

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on Florida state college operations are available on its website
Some College, No Credential Student Outcomes, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, April 2023
Undergraduate Degree Earners, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, March 2023
Six Years Later: Examining the Academic and Employment Outcomes of the Original and Reinstated Summer Pell, Community College Research Center, February 2023
Preparing for Tomorrow's Middle-Skill Jobs, Community College Research Center, April 2022

Websites of Interest
Florida College System
Florida College System Data and Reports
Association of Florida Colleges
Community College Research Center

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Whom do I contact for help?

Office of the Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges, 850-245-0407, email: FCSInfo@fldoe.org
Website