Degree and Certificate Information

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Academic Degrees

A.A., A.A.S., A.E.S., A.G.S., A.S., B.A.S.

A variety of instructional programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body and the demands of a technological and diverse society are offered at Aims Community College. Each academic division of the college represents the integration of academics (liberal arts and sciences) and career and technical education (vocational / occupational training). The college offers six types of degrees and numerous shorter career and technical certificates.

Opportunities to prepare for both a career and further education at a four-year school are available within many degree programs. Students should make it clear to advisors which option they are seeking because requirements for career entry and transfer are different. Students may earn more than one degree or certificate concurrently at Aims Community College if all course and program requirements for each degree or certificate are satisfied.

Students may not earn more than one each of the A.A., A.E.S., A.G.S., A.S., or B.A.S. degree. (e.g. Students may earn an A.G.S. degree and an A.A. degree, but may not earn more than one A.A. degree.) Additional A.A.S. degrees or certificates must be earned in a different major / option.

The certificates / degrees and their purposes are as follows:

Associate of Applied Science Degree - The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is a career and technical education degree plan that prepares students primarily for entry into the workforce. Although some college credits within these degree programs are accepted for transfer by particular four-year colleges and universities, career and technical education courses are not specifically designed to transfer. Some alternative transfer options may exist for the student who completes an A.A.S. degree. 

Associate of Arts Degree and Associate of Science Degree - The Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are guaranteed to transfer, upon admission, to baccalaureate arts and sciences degree majors at Colorado public four-year institutions if requirements for “gt-Pathways” and the 60 + 60 articulation agreement are met. (See http://highered.colorado.gov/ for current information regarding gt-Pathways, the 60 + 60 Articulation Agreement, and Transfer Guides to 60 + 60 eligible majors at four-year colleges and universities in Colorado.) Any failure on the part of the student to meet the requirements of the 60 + 60 articulation voids these agreements.  

Additionally, numerous statewide articulation agreements have been established with public four-year colleges and universities. Articulation agreements also have been developed for transfer to a specific baccalaureate major at a specific four-year college. Additional details regarding Statewide Articulation Agreements can be found at http://highered.colorado.gov/academics/transfers/students.html.

Associate of Engineering Science Degree - The Associate of Engineering Science (A.E.S.) degree is awarded to students who successfully complete the program requirements. This degree is offered in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines as a pathway toward earning a baccalaureate degree. Many of the courses in this program are designed to transfer to four-year colleges or universities for that purpose.

All General Education courses within the A.E.S. degree are intended to transfer to four-year institutions in the State of Colorado. However, some courses-particularly career and technical courses-may not be accepted for transfer by certain baccalaureate institutions. Once students identify the institution to which they plan to transfer, they should confirm and obtain written documentation of the receiving institution’s transfer requirements, including a list of specific transferable courses.

Associate of General Studies Degree - The Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) degree is a flexible degree plan that allows the student to combine workplace skill enhancement with arts and sciences courses. The A.G.S. degree may transfer if there is an established articulation agreement with a four-year school. Otherwise, it is not intended for transfer.

Bachelor of Applied Science Degree - The Aims Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Public Safety is intended for established public safety professionals who are seeking to advance their careers. It provides education in the management, leadership, and administration of public safety agencies including the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and criminal justice. The total credits required for the degree is a minimum of 120.  

All Emergency Service Administration (ESA) major courses and electives are eight weeks in length and completely on-line. While it is possible to complete this program in two years, most students are working professionals who attend part-time with degree completion in two to four years.  

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degree is awarded to the student who successfully completes a program designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a full-time skilled and/or paraprofessional  occupation.  

Although some college credits within these programs are accepted for transfer by particular four-year colleges and universities, career and technical courses are not specifically designed to transfer. The student who anticipates transferring is encouraged to check carefully the requirements of the institution and program into which he or she might desire to transfer.

Career and Technical Education Certificates - Career and Technical Education (C.T.E.) certificates are short-term courses of study that will give the student entry-level skills in a specific occupation. Some certificates are designed for skill enhancement or re-certification for the career professional seeking professional development or promotion. Certificates vary in length from less than one semester to three semesters.

Aims Community College Academic Organization

Dr. David Oehler

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Aims Community College Overview

Aims Community College is a single institution with campuses and sites located in Greeley, Fort Lupton, Loveland, and Windsor, along with multiple outreach locations throughout Weld and Larimer counties. All degrees and certificates are awarded by Aims Community College as a whole, not by individual campuses or sites.

Please note that not all degrees and certificates are available at every campus. Students may need to complete certain degree or certificate requirements at a different campus or site from where they began. In addition, Aims offers a wide selection of online courses to provide flexible learning options.

Approved Degree Electives

2025-2026 Catalog Year

Applicable Degrees

• Associate of Arts (A.A.)
  Liberal Arts Degree

• Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)
  Liberal Arts Degree

• Associate of Science (A.S.)
  Liberal Arts Degree

This list reflects the most current information available at the time of publication.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with an Aims academic advisor to select electives that best support their intended transfer institution and major.

Important Notes

• Students following a statewide articulation agreement must adhere to the elective guidelines outlined in that agreement.

• Students wishing to apply a course not included on this list toward an A.A., A.G.S., or A.S. degree must obtain signed approval from an Academic Dean.

• Any state-guaranteed transfer course not listed here may still be used as an elective.

• For A.S. degrees, state-guaranteed transfer courses in categories MA1, SC1, or SC2 are allowed, except:

  • MAT 1220

  • MAT 1230

  • SCI 1055

  • SCI 1056

• Courses numbered below 1000 are non-transferable and cannot be used as electives.

Approved Elective Courses

General Elective Prefixes and Courses Applicable Only to the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) Degrees

For Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of General Studies (A.G.S) Degrees Only

A maximum of three (3) credits from PE activity courses may count toward approved elective credits.

Approved Elective Courses

General Elective Prefixes and Courses - Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree Only

Legend

As part of their multicultural requirements, at least two transfer institutions accept the following courses:

• LIT 2005 - Ethnic Literature [AH2]

• SOC 2016 - Sociology of Gender [SS3]

• WST 2000 - Introduction to Women’s Studies [SS3]

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded to a student who successfully completes a program designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a full-time skilled and/or paraprofessional occupation. Each of the college’s A.A.S. degree programs is in a specified occupational field.

Although some college credits within these programs are accepted for transfer by particular four-year colleges and universities, career and technical courses are not specifically designed to transfer. The student who anticipates transferring is encouraged to check carefully the requirements of the institution and program into which he or she might desire to transfer.

The following are General Requirements for the A.A.S. Degree:

1. A minimum of sixty (60) semester hours in approved course work is required for graduation. Since each A.A.S. program is designed for a specified career and technical field, the minimum semester hours requirements above 60 will vary with the particular program.

2. A minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours of the total must be in general education courses. Course requirements vary among the A.A.S. degree programs and are outlined in this catalog within the program section.

3. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

4. Fifteen (15) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

5. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the A.A.S. degree.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree is awarded to the student who successfully completes a program designed to transfer to a four-year college or university for the purpose of earning a baccalaureate degree. Although the requirements of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are similar, the Associate of Science degree includes more science and mathematics.

All courses included in General Education in the A.A. degree are intended to transfer. Occasional elective arts and sciences courses and most career and technical courses may not be accepted for transfer by particular baccalaureate institutions. See Approved Degree Electives for appropriate electives for the A.A. degree. Once students have determined which baccalaureate institution they wish to transfer to, they should consult with that institution regarding the transferability of courses.

The following are General Requirements for the A.A. Degree:

1. Sixty (60) semester credit hours in approved course work are required for graduation.

2. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.  

3. Fifteen (15) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

4. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the A.A. degree.

5. Courses with a 3-character bracketed code (for example, “English Composition I [CO1]” ), in which a student earns the final grade of “C” or better are guaranteed to transfer to every public Colorado college or university. Although courses in which a “D” grade is earned may apply toward the AA degree at Aims, they are not guaranteed to transfer. Students should check with the next school they plan to attend in order to determine transferability, or may want to repeat those courses to receive a better grade.

Associate of Engineering Science (A.E.S.) Degree

The Associate of Engineering Science (A.E.S.) degree is awarded to students who successfully complete the program requirements. This degree is offered in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines as a pathway toward earning a baccalaureate degree. Many of the courses in this program are designed to transfer to four-year colleges or universities for that purpose.

All General Education courses within the A.E.S. degree are intended to transfer to four-year institutions in the State of Colorado. However, some courses-particularly career and technical courses-may not be accepted for transfer by certain baccalaureate institutions. Once students identify the institution to which they plan to transfer, they should confirm and obtain written documentation of the receiving institution’s transfer requirements, including a list of specific transferable courses.

The following are General Requirements for the A.E.S. Degree:

1. A minimum of sixty (60) semester credit hours in approved course work are required for graduation.

2. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

3. Fifteen (15) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses. 

4. No course numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the A.E.S. degree.

5. Courses with a 3-character bracketed code (for example, “English Composition I [CO1]”), in which a student earns the final grade of “C” or better are guaranteed to transfer to every public Colorado college or university.  Although some courses in which a “D” grade is earned may apply toward the A.E.S. degree at Aims, they are not guaranteed to transfer.  Students may want to check with the next school they plan to attend in order to determine transferability, or may want to repeat those courses to receive a better grade.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) Degree

The Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) degree includes selected professional courses and serves students who need an individualized or professional degree program toward job requirements, career advancement, and/or personal development. The A.G.S. degree, however, guarantees neither transferability nor employability.

A unique characteristic of the degree is that the field of study is determined by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. Each student must develop a written statement of goals and objectives and specific courses needed to satisfy those objectives. In addition, a designated curriculum of general education courses must be completed. 

Liberal Arts is the designated major for the Associate of General Studies degree. However, selected A.G.S degrees contain pre-professional areas of study, designed for students who choose an individualized program, but who wish to focus on a particular occupation. The A.G.S. degree may include professional or career and technical courses, which often are not transferable to four-year institutions. Therefore, an A.G.S. student who plans to transfer to a four-year college or university should check carefully the receiving institution’s requirements.

The following are General Requirements for the A.G.S. Degree

1. Sixty (60) semester credit hours in approved course work are required for graduation. Particular program requirements are outlined in this catalog within the program section.

2. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

3. Fifteen (15) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

4. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the A.G.S. degree.

5. Career and technical courses are applicable toward the A.G.S. degree requirements when the courses are appropriate to the student’s educational objectives.

Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is awarded to the student who successfully completes a program designed to transfer to a four-year college or university for the purpose of earning a baccalaureate degree. Although the requirements of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are similar, the Associate of Science degree includes more science and mathematics.

All courses included in General Education in the A.S. degree are intended to transfer. Occasional elective arts and sciences courses and most career and technical courses may not be accepted for transfer by particular baccalaureate institutions. See Approved Degree Electives for appropriate electives for the A.S. degree. Once students have determined which baccalaureate institution they wish to transfer to, they should consult with that institution regarding the transferability of courses.  

The following are General Requirements for the A.S. Degree:

1. Sixty (60) semester credit hours in approved course work are required for graduation.

2. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

3. Fifteen (15) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

4. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the A.S. degree.

5. Courses with a 3-character bracketed code (for example, “English Composition I [CO1]” ), in which a student earns the final grade of “C” or better are guaranteed to transfer to every public Colorado college or university. Although some courses in which a “D” grade is earned may apply toward the AS degree at Aims (provided they are not in Math, Science, or Computers), they are not guaranteed to transfer. Students should check with the next school they plan to attend in order to determine transferability, or may want to repeat those courses to receive a better grade.

6. All mathematics, science, and computer courses applied to this degree must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degree

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degree is awarded to the student who successfully completes a program designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a full-time skilled and/or paraprofessional occupation.

Although some college credits within these programs are accepted for transfer by particular four-year colleges and universities, career and technical courses are not
specifically designed to transfer. The student who anticipates transferring is encouraged to check carefully the requirements of the institution and program into which he or she might desire to transfer.

The following are General Requirements for the B.A.S. Degree:

1. A minimum of sixty (120) semester credit hours in approved course work are required for graduation.

2. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

3. Fifteen (30) semester hours of course work applicable to the degree program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

4. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of the B.A.S. degree.

5. Courses with a 3-character bracketed code (for example, “English Composition I [CO1]”), in which a student earns the final grade of “C” or better are guaranteed to transfer to every public Colorado college or university. Although some courses in which a “D” grade is earned may apply toward the B.A.S degree at Aims, they are not guaranteed to transfer. Students may want to check with the next school they plan to attend in order to determine transferability, or may want to repeat those courses to receive a better grade.

Certificate in Career and Technical Education 

A certificate in Career and Technical Education is awarded to a student who successfully completes a career and technical program not leading to an associate degree.  These programs are designed exclusively to prepare students for immediate employment. Course requirements for the various certificate programs are outlined in this catalog within the program section.

The following are General Requirements for the Career and Technical Education Certificates:

1. The student must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or above for all course work taken at Aims Community College.

2. A minimum of one-half (50%) of course work applicable to the student’s program and completed prior to graduation must be Aims Community College courses.

3. No courses numbered below 1000 may be applied toward completion of a certificate in Career and Technical Education.

College Preparatory Courses

Aims Community College offers courses designed to help individuals prepare for college-level coursework. Based on college assessment testing, some students may be advised to complete basic skills courses before beginning a degree or certificate program. Please note that college preparatory courses are not transferable and do not count toward degree or certificate requirements.

Continuing Education Offerings

Aims Community College’s Continuing Education program offers non-credit courses designed to enhance workplace skills, support professional development, or enrich personal interests.

For more information on available Continuing Education offerings, please visit https://www.aims.edu/programs/continuing-education.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

In compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements, Aims Community College provides disclosures for specific programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. These programs are defined as financial aid-eligible certificate programs of at least 16 credit hours.

The information presented in these reports reflects the most current data available but is limited to one year of reporting. We hope this information will assist current and prospective students as they make informed decisions about their educational and career paths.

To view these disclosures, please visit www.aims.edu/ced. For additional details or questions about how this data applies to you, contact the Aims Financial Aid Office at 970-339-6548.

General Education

Each degree awarded by Aims Community College includes a required minimum of general education coursework. General education refers to a set of courses designed to help individuals fulfill their shared responsibilities as citizens in a free society and to encourage active, creative participation in a wide range of life experiences.

Aims Community College recognizes the following types of courses for fulfilling general education requirements, depending on the degree:

• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree: Each program includes specific non-career, non-technical courses, which vary by major.

• Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees: Courses designated as gtPathways are required. For the most up-to-date information on State Guaranteed Transfer courses, visit gtPathways.

• Statewide Articulation Agreements: These agreements outline the required general education courses for applicable programs.

• Associate of Engineering Science (A.E.S.), Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.), and Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degrees: Specific arts and sciences courses are required, and these vary depending on the degree.

General Education State Guaranteed Transfer Courses (gt-Pathways)

Students attending any of Colorado’s 15 community colleges can complete a block of courses that satisfy the freshman-sophomore general education requirements at Colorado’s publicly supported four-year institutions.

The State General Education Guaranteed Transfer (gtPathways) program offers a broad set of transferable courses that Aims Community College students may complete either on their own or as part of the general education requirements for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees. To qualify for guaranteed transfer, students must earn a grade of C or better in each course.

For more details, please visit: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/attending-college/credit-transfer/guaranteed-transfer-gt-pathways-general-education. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with an academic advisor for guidance.

Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Course Numbers

The numbers listed beside courses are Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) identifiers used to indicate guaranteed transfer status for general education courses. Each code represents a specific requirement within a General Education category. For example, GT-CO1 breaks down as follows:

• GT = Guaranteed Transfer

• CO = General Education Category

• 1 = General Education Sub-category

For additional details, please visit the CCHE website: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/attending-college/credit-transfer/guaranteed-transfer-gt-pathways-general-education.

Student Bill of Rights

The Colorado General Assembly established the Student Bill of Rights (C.R.S. 23-1-125) to ensure that students enrolled at public institutions of higher education have the following rights:

• Access to a quality general education experience that builds competencies in reading, writing, mathematics, technology, and critical thinking through an integrated arts and sciences curriculum.

• The ability to complete Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees in no more than 60 semester credit hours, or baccalaureate degrees in no more than 120 semester credit hours, unless additional degree requirements are recognized by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE).

• The option to sign a two-year or four-year graduation agreement outlining a formal plan to complete a degree within the specified time frame, unless additional degree requirements are recognized by CCHE.

• The right to clear and concise information about which courses must be successfully completed to earn a degree.

• The right to know which courses are transferable among Colorado’s public two-year and four-year institutions.

• Assurance that, upon successful completion of core general education courses, those courses will satisfy core requirements at all Colorado public institutions of higher education.

• The right to know if courses from one or more public higher education institutions meet graduation requirements.

• Assurance that credit earned for completing core requirements and core courses will not expire for 10 years from the date of initial enrollment and will remain transferable.