Associate of Arts Degree

The smartest first step toward your Bachelor’s Degree

Ignite your future at Central Lakes College, where opportunity, flexibility, and possibility come together to launch your next chapter. The Associate of Arts (AA) Degree is the ideal starting point for students who want to explore their passions while preparing to transfer to a four‑year college or university. This 60‑credit degree includes the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), ensuring your general education requirements are fully met across the state. With a minimum 2.0 GPA and at least 15 credits earned at CLC, AA graduates are positioned to transfer smoothly—and in most cases, enter their chosen Minnesota university as juniors.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Areas
Earn your AA Degree with our Z-Degree Program

Transfer Pathway Degrees

For students with a clear vision of their bachelor’s degree, CLC’s Transfer Pathway Degrees offer an even more powerful advantage. These programs are built to take you directly from a CLC associate degree into a matching major at a Minnesota State university without losing time, credits, or money. With Transfer Pathways, you know exactly what courses to take, where they lead, and how your journey continues—giving you confidence and momentum from day one. Transfer Pathway options:

Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Communication Studies
Criminal Justice
Early Childhood Education
Economics
English
Exercise Science
History
Peace Officer/Public Safety
Political Science
Pre-Social Work
Psychology
Sociology

For more information, go to Academic Program Listings

Specialty Program Offerings

Beyond transfer degrees, CLC offers a dynamic range of specialty certificates and arts-and-sciences programs that let you personalize your education and stand out. Whether you’re drawn to Athletic Coaching, Women’s Studies, or another focused area, these programs help you build skills, discover strengths, and create a college experience that supports your goals and sets you apart in today’s competitive world. Specialty program options:

Athletic Coaching

Deaf Studies

Environmental Studies

Global Studies

Health Sciences Broad Field

Jazz Studies

Music A.F.A.

Music Performance

Music Technology

Women’s Studies

For more information, go to Academic Program Listings

Fast Facts

17 Transfer Pathway Degrees offer an even more powerful advantage.

Earn your AA Degree with our Z-Degree program—completely textbook-free! Instead of buying expensive books, you’ll use free online resources called Open Educational Resources (OER). That means more money in your pocket and less stress.

The AA Degree at CLC gives you a powerful, affordable launchpad to your bachelor’s degree.

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"Coming back to school as a first-generation, non-traditional student was honestly scary, but the support at CLC has made it so much easier. I’ve learned that I really can succeed here, and that’s thanks to the amazing people who have helped me along the way."

Jessica

Psychology Transfer Pathway student

“I am so grateful that (support staff took) an essential role in my education journey. Thanks to all my advisors, I feel more confident because I know I have a solid system that makes my goals and dreams possible.”

Hoang Nhat Anh

AA Degree Student

“CLC and the Music Department have welcomed me in a way that I've never felt before — I felt encouraged, challenged, confident and included. Music is my passion, my favorite thing, playing everyday, and playing in groups big or small is an experience I love.”

Jordin

Music A.F.A Degree Student

The CLC Promise

Central Lakes College promises to provide you with an extraordinary education
that is affordable, accessible and enhances the quality of your life.