Associate in Arts Degree


Program Code: 010000   |   Catalog: 2026-2027


Academic Advising, 386-506-3661, Advising@daytonastate.edu

Program Overview

Mission:

The mission of the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree program is to prepare students for successful transfer, continued academic achievement, and lifelong learning by developing critical thinking, communication, information literacy, and problem-solving skills through a broad foundation in general education.

Description:

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at a Florida public university or Florida College System institution. The program includes general education and elective coursework that supports transfer preparation and completion of prerequisite requirements for the student’s intended major and transfer institution.

Outcomes:

  1. Critical and Creative Thinking: Students will apply systematic and creative thinking to analyze and evaluate issues and arguments, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
  2. Communication: Students will read, write, and communicate information, ideas, and concepts effectively.
  3. Cultural Literacy: Students will demonstrate understanding of the impact of cultural differences and perspectives.
  4. Information and Technical Literacy: Students will use appropriate technology to locate, evaluate, and effectively process information.

Expand Your Degree with AI
Students in this program may complete some or all of the course requirements for the Artificial Intelligence Awareness certificate.

Financial Aid:

This program is eligible for federal financial aid and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state financial assistance by completing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For additional information regarding grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, visit the Office of Financial Aid webpage at daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/.

Students are also encouraged to apply for Daytona State College Foundation scholarships available each semester. For additional information, visit daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.

Program Requirements

Completion:

Program Credits:

Communications 9.00
Mathematics 6.00
Natural Sciences 6.00
Humanities 6.00
Social Sciences 9.00
College Transfer Electives 24.00
TOTAL 60.00

General Education

Communication (9 Credits)

Core
   Required course:
ENC1101 Introduction to Composition 3.00

Institutional
   Choose two:
ENC1102 Writing with Research 3.00
SPC1017 Introduction to Communication 3.00
OR 3.00
SPC2608 Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills 3.00

Mathematics (6 Credits)

Core
   Choose at least one:
MAC1105 College Algebra 3.00
MAC2311C Calculus I and Lab 4.00
MGF2130 Mathematical Thinking 3.00
STA2023 Elementary Statistics 3.00

Note: Higher-level mathematics courses also will satisfy the core requirement.

Institutional
   Course options:
MAC1114 College Trigonometry 3.00
MAC1140 Pre-Calculus Algebra 3.00
MAC2233 Calculus for Business and Nonphysical Sciences I 3.00
MAC2312C Calculus II and Lab 4.00
MAC2313C Calculus III and Lab 4.00
MAP2302C Differential Equations and Lab 3.00

Natural Sciences (6 Credits)

Core
   Choose at least one:
AST1002 Astronomy 3.00
BSC1005 Survey of Biological Sciences (For Non-Science Majors) 3.00
BSC1010C General Biology I (For Science Majors) and Lab 4.00
BSC1085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab 4.00
CHM1020 Chemistry in Society 3.00
CHM1045C General College Chemistry I and Lab 4.00
EVR2001 Introduction to Environmental Science 3.00
GLY2010C Physical Geology and Lab 4.00
OCE1001 Introduction to Oceanography 3.00
PHY1020 Conceptual Physics 3.00
PHY1053C General Physics I and Lab 4.00
PHY2048C Physics with Calculus I and Lab 5.00

Note: Higher-level natural science courses also will satisfy the core requirement.

Institutional
   Course options:
BSC1005L Survey of Biological Science (For Non-Science Majors) Lab 1.00
BSC1020 Human Biology 3.00
BSC1086C Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab 4.00
BOT1010C General Botany and Lab 4.00
CHM1025C Introduction to Chemistry and Lab 4.00
HUN1201 Human Nutrition 3.00
MET2010 Meteorology 3.00
GLY2010C Physical Geology and Lab 4.00
OCE1001L Introduction to Oceanography Lab 1.00
PCB2033C Introduction to Ecology and Lab 4.00
PHY1054C General Physics II and Lab 4.00
PHY2049C Physics with Calculus II and Lab 5.00
PSC1121 Physical Science 3.00
SWS2007 The World of Water 3.00

Humanities (6 Credits)

   Choose one literature course (AML, LIT) and one humanities course (ARH, HUM, MUL, PHI, THE) from either Core or Institutional:

Core
   Choose at least one:
ARH1000 Art Appreciation 3.00
HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities 3.00
LIT2000 Literature and Culture 3.00
MUL1010 Music Appreciation 3.00
PHI2010 Introduction of Philosophy 3.00
THE1000 Theatre Appreciation 3.00

Institutional
   Course options:
ARH2050 Survey of Art History I 3.00
ARH2051 Survey of Art History II 3.00
HUM2230 Renaissance to Postmodern Humanities 3.00
LIT2110 Masterpieces of World Literature I 3.00
LIT2120 Masterpieces of World Literature II 3.00
HUN1201 Human Nutrition 3.00
MET2010 Meteorology 3.00
MUL2380 Popular Music in America 3.00
PHI2600 Introduction to Ethics 3.00

Social Sciences (9 Credits)

General Education Course Availability Notice

Pursuant to State Board of Education action effective with the 2026–27 academic year, lower-division Sociology courses may no longer be used to satisfy General Education requirements. Students who completed an approved Sociology course as a General Education course prior to Summer 2026 will retain General Education credit for that coursework. Beginning Fall 2026, students who have not yet satisfied the Social Sciences General Education requirement must select an approved course from the current General Education course list, regardless of catalog year.

Core
   Choose at least one:
AMH2010 United States History to 1877 3.00
AMH2020 United States History 1865 to Present 3.00
ANT2000 Introduction to Anthropology 3.00
ECO2013 Principles of Macroeconomics 3.00
POS2041 American Federal Government 3.00
PSY1012 General Psychology 3.00

Note: AMH2010, AMH2020, and POS2041 satisfy the Civic Literacy Competency graduation requirement.

Institutional
   Course options:
CPO2001 Comparative Government 3.00
DEP2004 Developmental Psychology 3.00
ECO2023 Principles of Microeconomics 3.00
EUH2000 History of Western Civilization to 1648 3.00
GEB2351 International Business 3.00
GEO2000 World Geography 3.00
INR2002 International Relations 3.00
REL2300 World Religion 3.00
WOH2022 World History After 1500 3.00

Total Credit Hours: 60

Sample Program of Study

Year 1

1st Semester

ENC1101Introduction to Composition

3.00

Mathematics Core

3.00

Social Sciences Core - Civic Literacy course

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

2nd Semester

SPC2608Oral Communications/Research/Presentation Skills

3.00

OR

SPC1017Introduction to Communication

3.00

Natural Sciences Core

3.00

Humanities Core - LIT course

3.00

College Transfer Elective or Foreign Language I

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

Year 2

1st Semester

ENC1102Writing with Research

3.00

Mathematics

3.00

Social Sciences

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

2nd Semester

Humanities Core - ARH, HUM, MUL, PHI, THE

3.00

Natural Sciences

3.00

Social Sciences

3.00

College Transfer Elective

3.00

College Transfer Elective or Foreign Language II

3.00

Note: Sequence of courses may vary. Check catalog course descriptions for requisite requirements.

College Transfer Notes:

  • Students planning to transfer should consult an Academic Advisor no later than the completion of 30 credit hours to discuss their intended transfer institution and major. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the admission and prerequisite requirements of their intended program and work with an Academic Advisor to select appropriate coursework.
  • The applicability of coursework transferred from another institution is evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with Daytona State College’s policies and procedures.