The Associate Degree of Arts requires two years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).
The Associate Degree of Arts is administered by the BA Management Committee. Major sequences and individual topics are offered in a range of schools and departments and fields of study drawn from across the University.
The Associate Degree of Arts is offered only as an exit award for students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts who choose not to complete that program.
Students are required to complete units from at least two sequences at Levels 1 and 2.
Course aims
The Associate Degree of Arts provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. Sequences can be taken within the Colleges of: Education, Psychology and Social Work; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Business, Government and Law.
The course aims to provide students with:
- a sound basis of knowledge in their chosen areas of study
- the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
- the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways
- the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the two year Associate Degree of Arts students will have:
- a broad theoretical body of knowledge with some depth in the underlying principles and concepts in two minor sequence areas;
- cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a range of sources;
- cognitive and creative thinking skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge and ideas with some depth in one or more disciplines;
Students should be able to:
- interpret and transmit responses to sometimes complex problems;
- make a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas with some intellectual independence.
Within their fields of study students will have developed:
- communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic and graphic);
- teamwork and interpersonal skills (including an understanding of cultural diversity);
- management and planning skills (including self-management skills);
- analytical, intellectual and creative skills.
Program of study
To qualify for the Associate Degree of Arts, a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
The 72 units must include:
- COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units)*
- one Arts sequence selected from the list of BA sequences comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics and 9 units of Year 2 topics;
- a second Arts sequence (different from the first sequence) selected from the list of BA sequences comprising 9 units of Year 1 topics and 9 units of Year 2 topics;
- 31.5 units of Year 1 and Year 2 topics taken from any sequence.
Any topic offered by the University may be chosen to complete the 72 units, provided course and prerequisite requirements are met. During the period of enrolment, and with the permission of the BA Management Committee, a maximum of 31.5 units may be taken through study at another approved institution, towards the elective component of the degree.
The BA Examinations Board may approve substitute topics if a student is unable to undertake particular core topics while studying overseas on an approved program.
The following can be studied as part of the two sequences
Students who commenced study in the BA prior to 2016 may count the following as part of the two sequences:
* Under certain conditions the core topic COMS1001 may be replaced with an alternative topic. See COMS1001 for further details.
