Dec 03, 2024  
2025-2026 Academic Calendar 
    
2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Associate of Arts Degree


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Start your degree at NIC and receive two years (60 credits) of transfer credit toward any BC university. Learn strong critical thinking and research skills sought after by employers as you study anthropology, criminology, First Nations studies, English, geography, history, liberal studies, modern languages (Chinese, French and Spanish), philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and women’s studies. 

Admission Requirements


There are no formal admission requirements for the Associate of Arts degree. However, courses will have specific entry requirements called prerequisites, which are listed under each course description. To meet prerequisite requirements, submit transcripts or complete English and/or Math assessments.

Course Requirements


The following overview describes the general requirements for an Associate of Arts degree. However, choosing the right combination of courses will depend on a number of factors. Our educational advisors will work with you to personalize these general requirements to meet your goals.

Associate of Arts Degree - General Requirements

Students are responsible for selecting only courses that are eligible for the Associate of Arts degree. See “eligible associate degree courses” below.

  • 6 credits in first year English
  • 9 credits in Science, including:
    • 3 credits in mathematics, computer science or statistics
    • 3 credits in a laboratory science
    • 3 additional credits in Science
  • 36 credits in Arts (which must include a minimum of 18 credits at the second-year level in two or more subject areas) including:
    • 6 credits in the Social Sciences
    • 6 credits in Humanities (excluding English)
    • 24 additional credits in Arts
  • 9 credits in Arts, Science or other areas

Associate of Arts Degree Pre-Social Work Concentration - General Requirements

*Please note that upon successful completion of the Associate of Arts Degree Pre-Social Work Concentration students will be awarded the Associate of Arts Degree. Any available concentrations will be noted on the transcript and will not be noted on the credential.

Students are responsible for selecting only courses that are eligible for the Associate of Arts degree. See “eligible associate degree courses” below.

  • 6 credits in first year English
  • 9 credits in Science, including:
    • 3 credits in mathematics, computer science or statistics
    • 3 credits in a laboratory science
    • 3 additional credits in Science
  • 36 credits in Arts (which must include a minimum of 18 credits at the second-year level in two or more subject areas) including:
    • 6 credits in the Social Sciences
    • 6 credits in Humanities (excluding English)
    • 24 additional credits in Arts
  • 9 credits in Arts, Science or other areas (which must include SSW 120  and SSW 122 )

Completion Requirements


  • Students must achieve an overall average grade of C (cumulative GPA of 2.0) calculated on all courses counting toward the associate degree. No course may be used to meet more than one of the specific associate degree requirements.

Associate Degree Course Options


University transfer courses in the following subject areas may be eligible for credit toward completion of the Associate of Arts degree.  Courses must be at the 100 level or higher and must transfer to one of the following Universities: University of British Columbia,  University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, University of Northern British Columbia.    

For a complete list of courses and their details enter the subject area in the Course Descriptions.  Confirm transferabilty on the BC Transfer Guide

Arts (includes both Humanities and Social Sciences):

Humanities

  • Indigenous Leadership (ABG) 
  • Chinese (CHN) 
  • English (ENG)
  • Fine Arts (FIN) 
  • French (FRE)
  • Global Studies (GLS)
  • History (HIS)
  • Indigenous Language Fluency (ILF)
  • Liberal Studies (LIB)
  • Philosophy: (PHI)
  • Spanish (SPN)

Social Sciences

  • Anthropology (ANT)
  • Criminology (CRM)
  • Digital Design & Development (DGL)
  • Economics (ECO)
  • Education (EDU)
  • First Nations Studies (FNS)
  • Geography (GEO)
  • Human Services (HSW)
  • Political Science (POL)
  • Psychology (PSY)
  • Sociology (SOC)
  • Social Service (SSW)
  • Women’s Studies (WST)

Sciences

  • Biology (BIO)
  • Chemistry (CHE)
  • Computer Science (CPS)
  • Digital Design & Development (DGL)
  • Mathematics (MAT)
  • Physics (PHY)
  • Space Science and Astronomy (SSA)
  • Statistics (STA)

Other Areas

  • Indigenous Leadership (ABG) 
  • Business (BUS)

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