September 25-26, 2003

ITEM 120-2853-R0903   Approval of Proposal to Establish an Associate of Arts Degree; Montana State University-Great Falls, College of Technology

 

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorize Montana State University-Great Falls, College of Technology to offer an Associate of Arts degree, which responds to the needs of area students who plan to transfer into baccalaureate-degree programs in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.

 

EXPLANATION: MSU-Great Falls, College of Technology currently offers an Associate of Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science degree. An Associate of Arts degree will provide a new degree package for existing coursework to meet the needs of students who are seeking baccalaureate degrees in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.  Completion of the Associate of Arts degree indicates that the student has completed a course of study that is the foundation for the upper division in a baccalaureate degree program. Alternatively, the Associate of Arts degree serves students seeking to acquire a diverse and flexible range of "soft skills," such as high-level written communication, cultural awareness, interpersonal skills, and analytical abilities.