Students enrolled in an applied science program will benefit from hands-on laboratory experience within their major field. They will enter the job market with specific skills and knowledge useful for employment and advancement.

Although the AAS degree is not designed to be a transfer program, some courses will transfer to four-year colleges or universities. Students who wish to transfer to a four-year school should consult a WNC counselor. Courses with a number under 100 (such as ENG 95) are not applicable toward an Associate of Applied Science degree at WNC.

A maximum of six units of special topics classes in one subject area may apply toward any WNC degree.

This degree provides career preparation, training and industry credentials in an occupational or technical field.

The purpose of the Associate of Applied Science degree is to provide employment-related knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a chosen field of study.

The successful student will:

  • Have met the institutional student learning outcomes.
  • Know the subject matter appropriate to the emphasis of the degree.
  • Have acquired skills and can perform tasks necessary for employment or career advancement.

Program Requirements
36-39 Units


The number of units required may vary by emphasis. Some units earned in nontraditional courses may be considered for elective credit and may require review in order to be applied to the AAS degree.

Program requirements can be found on the programs of study pages.

General Education Requirements


Course Title Units
General Education Requirements 21-24 Units
English/Communications 6 Units
Must include a writing course.
Business: 107, 108
Communication: 101, 102, 113
Criminal Justice: 103
English
Journalism: 201
Reading
Writing Course: Business 108, English 100, 101, 102, 107 or any 200 level English class
Human Relations 3 Units
Anthropology: 101, 201
Business: 110
Counseling and Personal Development: 117, 129
Criminal Justice: 270
Early Childhood Education: 121
Education Psychology: 150
Human Development & Family Studies: 201, 202
Management: 201, 212, 283
Nursing 261
Psychology (except for PSY 210)
Sociology (except for SOC 210)
Humanities/Social Sciences 3 Units
Choose from either area:
Humanities
Art: 100, 101*, 124, 135, 160, 214, 224, 241, 260, 261
Core Humanities: 201, 202, 212
English: 200, 221, 223, 250, 261, 266, 267, 271, 275
History: 105, 106, 203, 207, 208, 209, 247
Humanities: 101
Music: 111*, 121, 124, 125, 134, 176
Music Ensemble: 131, 135
Philosophy (except for PHIL 102, 114)
Theatre: 100, 105, 180
Social Sciences
Anthropology: 101, 201, 202, 210, 212, 215
Core Humanities: 203
Criminal Justice: 101, 102, 104, 120, 215, 220, 225, 226, 230, 270
Economics: 100, 102, 103
Geography: 106, 200
History: 101, 102, 111, 217, 295
Journalism 103
Political Science
Psychology (except for PSY 210)
Sociology (except for SOC 210)
* Course may not meet the fine arts requirement at all universities. See a counselor.
Mathematics 3 Units
Business: 109
Economics: 261, 262
Mathematics
Psychology: 210
Statistics: 152
Science 3 Units
Anthropology: 102, 110L
Astronomy: 109, 110, 120
Atmospheric Sciences: 117
Biology (except for BIOL 208, 223, 224, 251)
Chemistry (except for CHEM 220, 241, 241L, 242, 242L)
Emergency Medical Services: 205
Environmental Studies
Geography: 103, 104, 116, 121
Geology (except for GEOL 111, 112, 113, 299)
Nutrition: 121
Physics (except for PHYS 293)
U.S. & Nevada Constitution 3-6 Units
Must meet both requirements. Choose from:
Core Humanities: 203
History: 101 & 217
History: 101 & 102
History: 111
History: 101 and one of the following:
HIST 102, HIST 217, PSC 100, PSC 208
Political Science: 101, 103
History and Political Science Combination (History 101 and Political Science 208)

Courses numbered below 100 (such as ENG 98) are not applicable toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree.