The Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences (A.A.A.S.) is awarded to students in General Studies and to those who complete majors in Aviation, Bible, Business, Computer Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Nursing or Pastoral Ministries. The following standards apply to all A.A.A.S. degrees.
General Requirements
Total credits: 60 hours (up to six hours of advanced level ESL may apply).
Grade point average: 2.00 or better in Hesston College courses. Transfer hours must have grades of C or better.
Residency: one semester of full-time study or a minimum of 30 Hesston College hours. Twenty of final 30 hours must be earned at Hesston College.
Orientation: SCS 101 First-Year Seminar.
Wellness: PhEd 210 Fitness Concepts.
Skill Proficiency (6 hours minimum)
Written Communication (3 hours) – Engl 125 College Writing I (or higher level writing course if qualified).
Oral Communication (3) – one of the following: Comm 125 Interpersonal Communication or Comm 206 Speech Communication.
Computer Competence (0-3) – Pass the Hesston College computer placement examination or BuCS 112 Introduction to Computers or a higher level computer course.
Mathematics (0-3) – Present an ACT Math score of 20 or higher, an SAT Math score of 500 or higher or an ASSET numerical raw score of 23 or higher or pass BuAd 112 Personal Finance or MaSc 100 Intermediate Algebra or a higher level math course.
Hesston College Distinctives (6 hours)
Biblical Literature and one of the following: Relg 214 Peacemaking and Justice, Hist 213 Anabaptist History and Thought, Engl 216 Modern Literature, Soc 122 Religions of the World, Hum 209 Human Thought and Belief, Nurs 290 Integration Seminar (for nursing).
Liberal Arts Distribution
(NOTE: Some programs specify the courses to be completed)
Social Sciences – one course from the following: Psy 200 General Psychology, Psy 206 Developmental Psychology, Soc 202 Cultural Anthropology, Soc 203 Introduction to Sociology, Econ 221 Principles of Macroeconomics, Econ 222 Principles of Microeconomics.
Humanities – one course from the following: Hist 221/222 U.S. History I/II, Hist 251/252 History of World Civilization I/II, Hum 120 Exploring the Arts, Hum 200 Art Appreciation, Hum 203 Theatre Appreciation, Hum 206 Music Appreciation, Hum 215 Introduction to Film, Engl 112 Introduction to Literature, Engl 216 Modern Literature.
Natural Science – one lab course from the following: biology, chemistry, physical science, physics.
Specific Requirements for each Major Field of Study (21-46 hours)
See individual program details on the following pages. At least half of the Required Program Courses must be completed at Hesston College.
Programs of Study Leading to the Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences
The programs leading to the A.A.A.S. degree are designed to prepare the student for entry-level employment at the end of the two years of study. While many of the courses in these programs apply to the four-year degree as well, the A.A.A.S. is not covered under general transfer agreements. A student pursuing this degree who plans to pursue further studies after Hesston may wish to check with the intended transfer school to see which courses will satisfy the requirements of the higher-level degree.