Associate of Arts, A.A.

Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, e-Learning*

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree administered by the School of Arts and Sciences, provides a solid foundation in mathematics, written and oral communication, the natural and social sciences, the humanities and fine arts. The A.A. degree prepares students for career advancements, for transfer to baccalaureate programs and for a better understanding of their world.

The A.A. degree with an emphasis in Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts provides a solid foundation in the art of the Northwest Coast and prepares students for work as a professional artist or scholar. Students with this degree may work towards a B.A. degree in Indigenous Studies, transfer to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) based on a partnership between UAS and IAIA, or may work towards a degree in Education in order to teach Northwest Coast arts. 

*The A.A. degree with an emphasis in Northwest Coast Arts is not available via e-learning at this time.

  • Admissions to the A.A. degree program
  • Completion of 60 credits at 100-level or above, including:
  1. At least 20 credits at the 200-level or higher
  2. At least 15 credits completed in residence at UAS
  3. All General Education Requirements (minimum 34 credits)1
  4. 26-27 elective credits, with at least 18 credits from the School of Arts & Sciences (no more than 6 credits from ODS/PE)2
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at UAS
1

Students in the Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts emphasis are required to take specific GERs.

2

Does not apply to students in the Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts emphasis.

Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts Emphasis 

General Education Requirements
Complete all General Education Requirements, which must include the following:
ANS S101*Introduction to Alaska Native Studies3
NWCA S270*Indigenous Performing Arts3
One of the following courses:4
AKL S105
*Beginning Tlingit I
AKL S107
*Beginning Haida I
AKL S109
*Beginning Tsimshian I
Program Requirements
ART S295Career Development for the Artist3
NWCA S201*Northwest Coast Native Art History & Culture3
NWCA S220*Beginning Northwest Coast Indigenous Design I3
NWCA S395Northwest Coast Art Theory and Practice3
Choose 14 credits from the following courses 114
ART S230
Artists Studio, Beginning
ART S330
Artists Studio, Intermediate
ART S430
Artists Studio, Advanced
NWCA S135
Northwest Coast Tool Making
NWCA S140
Fiber Arts-Spinning
NWCA S141
Natural Dye
NWCA S150
Harvest and Preparation of Basket Materials
NWCA S230
*Beginning Northwest Coast Carving I
NWCA S240
*Beginning Northwest Coast Woolen Weaving I
NWCA S320
Intermediate Northwest Coast Indigenous Design I
NWCA S330
Intermediate Northwest Coast Carving I
NWCA S340
Intermediate Northwest Coast Woolen Weaving I
NWCA S350
Intermediate Northwest Coast Basketry I
NWCA S355
Northwest Coast Basket Design
NWCA S420
Advanced Northwest Coast Indigenous Design I
NWCA S430
Advanced Northwest Coast Carving I
NWCA S440
Advanced Northwest Coast Woolen Weaving I
NWCA S450
Advanced Northwest Coast Basketry I
Advisor-approved ART or NWCA internships, practica, or independent studies
Total Credits26
1

400-level courses may be repeated for credit.

The Associate of Arts degree provides students with a broad general education. It is also designed to be a transfer degree to bachelor degree programs. This is accomplished by providing students with learning opportunities in the core academic areas of mathematics, natural and social sciences, humanities, fine arts and communication. 

For those students who pursue the emphasis in Northwest Coast Indigenous Arts, upon completion, students will be able to interpret regional differences and similarities within the Northwest coastal peoples and demonstrate principles of Northwest Coast visual, performing, and literary arts.