Students choose their degree option based on career goals. Options include earning a:
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Associate in Science (AS) degree
SCTCC has partnerships with universities that allow SCTCC students to complete bachelor's degrees from our campus.
Certificate
A certificate is the most basic program option with the fewest number of credits, usually 20 or fewer. It will allow students to gain a specific skill that leads to employment or is needed for a current job.
Examples include the Coaching, Green Energy, and Early Childhood Education certificates.
Diploma
A diploma includes technical coursework to help develop job skills that will lead directly to employment. Diplomas are usually 30-50 credits, depending on the program.
Students choose a specific area of study and finish their education in one or two years. The classes also include general education courses, which do not meet the Minnesota Transfer requirements but may be accepted at other colleges as electives.
Examples of a diploma are Welding, Carpentry, and Auto Body Collision diplomas.
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
An Associate in Applied Science degree allows students to take not only program specific courses, but their degree will also include at least 15 transferable general education credits, which may transfer to a four-year college or university.
AAS degrees will take at least two years to complete and are usually around 60-80 credits, depending on the program.
Examples of an AAS are Electrical Construction, Dental Hygienist, and Computer-Aided Mechanical Design AAS.
Associate in Science (A.S.)
An Associate in Science degree combines technical education with at least 30 general education credits. The general education credits may transfer to a four-year college or university. AS degrees are usually 60 credits.
St. Cloud Technical & Community College has articulation agreements with a variety of colleges and universities that will improve transferability upon completion of the degree.
Examples of an AS are Environmental Science, Business Transfer Pathway, and Spanish Transfer Pathway AS.
Associate in Arts (A.A.)
An Associate in Arts degree is awarded upon completion of a 60-credit academic program in the liberal arts and sciences.
This includes completion of the 40-credit Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, a wellness requirement, and elective credits. It is designed for transfer to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. For a list of transfer universities visit Minnesota State or our page for transfer students.
General Education Course Transfer
The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) lets students transfer their completed lower division general education work to meet lower division general/liberal education requirements at any public college or university in Minnesota. The MnTC is 40 credits.
For more information about the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, goal areas, and content, visit the Minnesota Transfer website.