The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees are provincial credentials offered by many institutions in the BC Transfer System. The associate degree is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students for life as an educated person, and to lay a solid foundation for further study.

The associate degree curriculum comprises two years of university level study in a variety of academic areas. Students are required to complete a broad range of course offerings balanced with in-depth study in specific disciplines. Since many students will continue their studies, the requirements are sufficiently flexible to enable students to complete the required prerequisites for upper level course work in their intended major. Students will be exposed to a program of study that seeks to develop:

an interest in and curiosity about the world around them
an understanding of the global context in which they live and work
an appreciation of intellectual thought and human creativity
an openness to a variety of viewpoints
a capacity for and interest in self directed life-long learning
acceptance of the social responsibilities that come with the benefits of advanced learning.
In addition, the program of study should develop and improve those skills essential for academic success at an advanced intellectual level. They include but are not limited to:

advanced reading comprehension
effective written and oral communications
mathematical and scientific reasoning
computer and technological literacy
research and evaluative skills
analysis, synthesis, and integration of knowledge
critical thinking and problem solving
application of theoretical understanding to practice
working collaboratively.