A minimum of 60 credits are required.
The AS degree, as a regionally accredited degree, is a transfer degree because it satisfies the majority of lower-division general education requirements and should be accepted at four-year institutions.
Depending on the requirements of the receiving institution, students may be required to complete additional courses to meet specific institutional graduation requirements.
Students earn the AS degree by completing a certificate and the general education requirements.
Required credits include religion, general education, college success courses, internship, certificate requirements, and if applicable, electives.
At least 50% of required credits must be earned directly from Ensign College.
General Education courses at Ensign College focus on empowering learners personally, spiritually, civically, professionally, and into the eternities. Learning experiences and environments are designed around principles from Doctrine & Covenants 88. Students are asked to seek wisdom and embrace truth “that they may be prepared in all things” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:80).
General Education courses support the College’s mission, to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ. Learning happens not only in classrooms, but in the mind, heart, hands, and whole soul of learners as they seek the presence, guidance, and influence of the Holy Ghost. Learning by study and faith is the bedrock for learning and teaching endeavors. Seeking truth, light, knowledge, and understanding is a common pattern in these courses, along with principles and themes from Doctrine & Covenants 88.
Using the Ensign College Learning Signature, the GE courses offer real and relevant immersive learning experiences and environments, helping students to achieve Deep Learning—to know, do, and become. Students are tasked with responsibility for their learning, just as Nephi on the shores of Bountiful when he was asked to build a ship. Common patterns of learning include seeking, discovering, inquiry-based thinking, and problem-solving while critically reflecting throughout the learning process.
Learners act as agents of their learning in ambiguous situations, thus becoming more agile as they demonstrate mastery of program and course outcomes through practice, demonstration, and purposeful application. The College-Wide Capabilities are integrated and interwoven throughout the GE experience with immediate application of lifelong skills.
General Education courses are designed to offer transformational learning experiences as students are magnified in mind and heart, discovering their purpose and personal mission of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Associate of Science degree gives students a quick entry into the marketplace now as well as the option for continued education to advance their careers in the future. The eternal truths acquired in this distinctly LDS environment help build family and prepare the student for leadership in employment, the Church, and community. You will find career opportunities on the web pages for each certificate.
Students graduating from Ensign College with an Associate of Science degree will
General education courses are part of the requirements for the Associate of Science degree. This degree is designed for students who want to transfer to four-year institutions and continue their education. To maximize transferability, students should complete all the general education requirements for the AS degree and graduate from Ensign College. Students desiring to transfer should meet with an Ensign College academic advisor to learn more about transferability of courses and degrees.
Ensign College works to establish articulation agreements with other colleges and universities for students in their continued pursuits of lifelong learning and academics. Students interested in transferring credits to another college or university should review that institution’s transfer guidelines and policies. Students are encouraged to contact the four-year institutions to which they plan to transfer and check degree requirements and departmental prerequisites. Ensign College makes no guarantee of credit transfer and cannot negotiate or change the graduation requirements of another higher education institution.
Course Requirements
Required credits include religion, general education, college success courses, internship, certificate requirements, and if applicable, electives.
The Associate of Science requires completion of an Ensign College certificate.
Religion Courses
REL, Two cornerstone religion courses (REL 200, REL 225, REL 250, or REL 275), 4 credits
REL, Two additional Religion Courses, 4 credits
Total Religion Courses Minimum Credit Hours 8
Quantitative Literacy Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 – 4 credit hours)
MAT 107, Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance, 3 credits
MAT 110, College Algebra, 4 credits
MAT 108, Math for the Real World, Online, 3 credits
MAT 112, Calculus I, 4 credits
MAT 119, Business Calculus, 3 credits
MAT 252, Statistics, 3 credits
Total Quantitative Literacy Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3-4
Composition Courses (Complete both courses)
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
ENG 201, Intermediate College Writing, 3 credits
Total Composition Courses Minimum Credit Hours 6
American Institutions Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 credit hours)
HIST 101, American Foundations, 3 credits
POLS 110, American Government, 3 credits
Total American Institutions Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
College Success Courses (Complete all 3 courses)
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credits
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credits
CAR 299, Internship, 1 credits
Total College-wide Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
Fine Arts Distribution Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 credit hours)
ART 101, Survey of Art History, 3 credits
ART 110, Survey of Visual & Performing Arts, 3 credits
Total Fine Arts Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
Humanities Distribution Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 credit hours)
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
HUM 110A, Discovering the Humanities, 3 credits
HUM 110, Foundations of Humanities, 3 credits
Total Humanities Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
Life Science Distribution Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 -4 credit hours)
LS 103, Nutrition and Health, 3 credits
LS 265, Anatomy and Physiology, for MA students only, 4 credits
Total Life Science Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3-4
Physical Science Distribution (Complete 1 course, 3 credit hours)
GEO 111, Physical Geology, 3 credits
PS 120, Introduction to Physical Geography, 3 credits
Total Physical Science Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
Social Science Distribution Courses (Complete 1 course, 3 credit hours)
ANTH 101, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Online, 3 credits
ECON 161, Microeconomics, 3 credits
ECON 162, Economic Principles & Problems-Macro, Online, 3 credits
GEOG 130, World Political Geography, 3 credits
PSYCH 101, Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits
SOC 111, Introduction to Sociology, 3 credits
SS 160, Leadership & Human Behavior, 3 credits
Total Social Science Courses Minimum Credit Hours 3
*General Education Distribution Courses Student Choice (Complete 1 course, 3-4 credit hours)
Fine Arts, Distribution Courses, 3 credits
Humanities, Distribution Courses, 3 credits
Life Sci., Distribution Courses, 3 credits
Phys. Sci., Distribution Courses, 3 credits
Social Sci., Distribution Courses, 3 credits
Total General Education, Distribution Courses Elective Minimum Credit Hours 3-4
*Electives (students may need up to 4 elective credits)
Certificate Requirement (Complete 1 certificate, credits vary)
In addition to the above requirements, students must complete at least one Certificate. See requirements listed on the catalog pages for individual programs.
Total Certificate Minimum Credit Hours 15
Total Associate of Science Degree Minimum Credit Hours 60
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Depending upon the number of preparatory courses required, additional semesters may be required to complete the program.
First Semester
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
Certificate, 2 certificate classes, 6 credits
Distribution, Humanities (GE), 3 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
Religion, Cornerstone Religion course, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 16
Second Semester
Certificate, 2 certificate classes, 6 credits
Distribution, General Education, Fine Arts, 3 credits
ENG 201, Intermediate College Writing, 3 credits
REL, Cornerstone Religion Course, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Third Semester
American Institutions, General Education, American Institutions, 3 credits
Certificate, 1 Certificate Course, 3 credits
Distribution, General Education, Natural Science, 3 credits
Distribution, General Education, Quantitative Literacy, 3-4 credits
REL, Religion Elective, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14-15
Fourth Semester
CAR 299, Internship, 1 credit
Distribution, General Education, Social Science, 3 credits
Distribution, General Education, Physical Science, 3 credits
Distribution, General Education, Student Choice, 3 credits
Electives, If Applicable, 4 credits
REL, Religion Elective, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 16
Total Associate of Science (AS) Minimum Credit Hours 60
Graduation Requirements
1. Complete Certificate, Religion, and General Education courses as outlined
2. Complete minimum AS program hours of 60 credits.
3. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher