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By Jeff Austin
In recognition of the role high-quality associate degrees play in higher education, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (HEC) has approved Indiana University's new Associate of Arts Degree Program. The program is scheduled for implementation beginning January 1997.
"A primary part of IU's mission has been to provide four-year degree programs, and at the residential campuses, that makes good sense," said IU President Myles Brand. "But for many students who may be part-time, or who 'stop out,' an associate degree can be a valuable intermediate benchmark and reward that helps improve retention. Also, it is intended to provide smooth transition to a four-year degree."
The new Associate of Arts Degree Program unifies associate degree programs already offered at IU campuses and credits earned through the new program are guaranteed to transfer directly into four-year degree programs among the campuses administered by IU.
The program will offer students a quality alternative to other types of two-year degrees, with the added benefit of being a true "2+2" academic track. By providing a broad-based arts and sciences curriculum and specialized courses of the student's choice, the new associate of arts degree provides the immediate benefits of an IU education and serves as a significant milestone -- for any students -- toward the completion of a four-year degree.
Studies have shown that a much higher percentage of students who receive an associate degree continue to a bachelor's degree than those who take courses over several years with no formal recognition.
IU's new Associate of Arts Degree Program will not only improve retention at the freshman and sophomore levels, it will encourage more students to move into upper division courses and to eventual bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, Brand said.
The new degree will typically require 60 credit hours, of which approximately half will be divided among the fundamental skills and general distribution areas of arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. Twelve to 15 hours will be taken in an area of concentration and the remaining hours will be made up of electives.
In addition to the educational advantages of IU's new associate of arts degree, many students will also benefit financially. First, shifting economic and employment conditions have caused a growing number of students to seek ways in which to pursue a college education in a more affordable way than a four-year residential program. These same conditions have also resulted in a growing number of adults who are returning to, or entering, higher education in order to advance their careers.
Other adults are returning to gain the satisfaction of attaining a higher education they by-passed at an earlier age. Consequently, more and more students are beginning their undergraduate educations closer to home, many attending classes part-time while working or managing family responsibilities.
"I think this is a significant and substantial undertaking by IU because it provides broader access across the state to students pursuing associate of arts degrees," said Stan Jones, commissioner of higher education.
"The degree is also both horizontally and vertically transferable. That is, you can transfer credits between campuses and you can continue on toward a bachelor's degree."