An Associate Degree is an ideal first goal for students who wish to continue their college studies toward a bachelor's degree, and the credits earned may be applied toward that degree. A student should complete one associate degree before applying for another.

UMUC offers programs in Asia leading to the Associate of Arts degree in Accounting, Business and Management, Computer Studies, General Curriculum, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, Management Studies, and Mathematics. Each degree has its own requirements. All provide ideal intermediate goals for students who will continue their studies toward a bachelor's degree, and credits earned may be applied toward that degree. Associate degree programs require the completion of General Education Requirements, designed to provide a solid cultural and intellectual foundation for the student's education.

In addition to the general education requirements, students must:

• take 28 credits of coursework related to their educational goals;
• at least 9 credits in core or core-related coursework for the chosen curriculum must be earned through UMUC;
• earn a grade of C or higher in all core or core-related curriculum courses.

Students may choose a general curriculum (described below) or a specialized curriculum with its own panicular requirements (detailed on the following pages). Students who anticipate seeking a bachelor’s degree should select courses that will advance that goal.

• General Curriculum
• Accounting
• Business & Management
• Computer Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Korean Studies
• Management Studies
• Mathematics

Curriculum planning sheets are available throughout UMUC's Asian Division.

• FAQ about Degree Planning Worksheets
• Download Your Program Sheet

It is not possible to earn two degrees concurrently at the same level (e.g., two associate degrees) using the same credit. However, students may wish to pursue a second AA degree after the award of the first AA degree.

A student who holds an associate degree from UMUC or another regionally accredited college or university can earn a second, more specialized associate degree by meeting the following requirements

1. Request an Official Evaluation for the second degree before enrolling in applicable course work, but after completing the requirements for the first AA degree. If the first degree was not with UMUC, the student must complete at least 6 cr. with UMUC before the Official Evaluation is conducted.
2. Complete at least 15 new credits with UMUC (including at least 9 cr. in the core or core-related area, depending on the degree). The new 15 cr. must be uniquely applicable to the second UMUC AA degree.

If the second degree is in the same field as the first, the second degree must be in a more specialized subdiscipline of the field (e.g., it is permissible to earn a second AA in BMGT after earning the first AA in MGST, but not the reverse).

It is possible to earn an associate degree concurrently with a baccalaureate degree if all degree requirements have been met for both degrees and the student applies for both degrees. However, once the baccalaureate degree is conferred, the student will be held to second degree rules for associate degrees, which stipulate that 15 cr. must be earned.