Award Plan Types & Program Maps

Degrees and Certificates

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is specifically designed to prepare graduates of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and nursing diploma programs, who already hold a Registered Nursing (RN) license, with additional skills in management, leadership, theory, and research to succeed and be promoted within the nursing profession.

The Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are specifically designed to allow for the transfer and application of credits earned at Austin Community College to the bachelor degree requirements of most public colleges and universities. In addition, completion of the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees at ACC also guarantees completion of the state-mandated core curriculum and the acceptance in transfer of a minimum of 42-semester credit hours toward the general education requirements in a bachelor’s degree at all state supported higher education institutions in Texas. The Associate of Science degree differs from the Associate of Arts degree primarily in the amount or level of mathematics required for degree completion so students will be prepared to transfer as a junior majoring in the sciences, math or engineering. Students seeking to transfer should consult with an Area of Study advisor or a program advisor to ensure that they enroll in those courses that will most smoothly transfer to their intended receiving institution, since different universities may have different requirements.

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is designed to prepare students to transfer to a Texas public university as a junior with a specific teaching major: Early Childhood-Grade 6, Grades 4-8, or Grades 8-12. The Associate of Arts in Teaching degree is fully transferable to any public university in Texas.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, offered in technical programs, is designed to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. While this degree is not focused on transfer, ACC has formal agreements with partner universities that allow transferability of courses in some ACC programs. Within many of the technologies, short-term certificate programs, also preparation for employment, are offered which can be completed in less than two years. See the Programs and Awards section of this catalog for more information on award options.

A current list of award plans is available at www.austincc.edu/catalog/award-plans. Courses shown in boldface within the award plans are Core Curriculum courses. Please contact the appropriate program’s instructional department for further information about any specific degree requirements. Note: American Sign Language may substitute for the foreign language requirements in any degree plan with the exception of the Associate of Arts degree in Foreign Language. View current and past award plans here.

Z-Classes and Z-Degrees

Austin Community College is working to lower costs for students. Many core courses have sections that are taught with openly-licensed high quality textbooks (known as Open Educational Resources) or other freely-available course materials that are accessible electronically on the first day of class. These textbooks and course materials do not cost students any money. These zero-cost textbook sections are known as Z-classes.

In addition to Z-classes, ACC offers two Z-Degrees: the Associate of Arts in General Studies and the Associate of Science in General Studies. A Z-Degree is a degree that a student can complete entirely with Z-classes. Please note: Not every core curriculum course offers Z-classes. Not every campus offers Z-classes. Consult with the General Studies program advisor to map your Z-Degree pathway in General Studies.

Program Maps

Austin Community College offers 10 Areas of Study, making it simple to plan and follow a guided pathway to your academic and career success. Over 100 programs’ award plans in these 10 areas lead to college credentials that include technical certificates, two-year associate degrees, and advanced technical awards.

Program maps are students guided pathways to academic and career success. They are designed to assist you with persisting at ACC through graduation and prepare you for employment, career advancement, or university transfer. See Online Program Maps for a current list of program maps within each Area of Study.

Please always check online at catalog.austincc.edu or meet with your Area of Study advisor or instructional department’s program advisor to ensure that you are viewing the latest and most accurate information.