Do you dream of earning a four-year degree in the social sciences or humanities? You can begin that journey at Tri-C® by earning an Associate of Arts — a flexible two-year degree designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. Common majors for AA transfers include:

Anthropology
Communication studies
Economics
Education
English
Foreign languages
Geography
History
Humanities
Philosophy
Political science
Psychology
Religious studies
Sociology
Urban studies
Women’s studies

Meet with an academic counselor to plan a course of study that will satisfy your transfer requirements.

What are the benefits of the Online Associate of Arts (Online AA) program?

The Online AA offers the same quality programming as the traditional AA, with several added benefits:

The flexibility of online courses — study when and where it fits into your schedule.
Dedicated support from a program specialist to help you navigate College processes.
Priority registration.

What are the requirements for entry into the Online AA program?

For acceptance into the Online Associate of Arts program, you must complete a Tri-C application, be accepted as a student, and work through the full enrollment process.

If you are a continuing student who meets these criteria and would like to apply, email your S-Number to Andy Sokolich at onlineaa@tri-c.edu. You will receive a response regarding the status of your application once your file is reviewed.

How do I indicate that I want to be in this program on my application?

Select “Associate of Arts” as your desired major on the Tri-C application to indicate your interest. Once your application is processed, you will receive an email notification and an acceptance letter via U.S. Mail with your Tri-C student ID number. You will also receive an email asking if you are interested in the Online Associate of Arts. Click the “Yes, I’m Interested” button in the email and follow the instructions.

The application asks me for a preferred campus, but there is no online option. Which campus do I select?

Please select the campus that is closest to your current location as your campus of choice.

The application asks for my high school information, but I do not live in Ohio. What do I enter?

If you graduated from a high school outside of Ohio, type “Out of State/Foreign” in the High School field.

If I test into developmental math and/or English, can I still enter the program?

Yes, you can! There are a limited number of developmental math and English courses and co-requisites available in an online format.

I am a continuing or returning student. Am I eligible for the Online AA program?

Yes, current and returning students seeking an Associate of Arts degree are eligible. Email Andy Sokolich at onlineaa@tri-c.edu with your S-Number if you are interested in switching to the online program.

Can I complete 100% of my courses online?

Yes. The Ohio Department of Higher Education now allows the College to offer some natural and physical science labs entirely online. Be sure to register for fully online lab sections to satisfy this requirement.

Can I still take some courses in person?

Yes. Although Online AA students must complete at least 90% of their coursework online, you may choose to take the remaining 10% in person.

Can I take my placement tests online?

English testing can be completed online by scheduling an appointment through the Testing Center. Math placement testing must be proctored but can be completed online by using ProctorU or on campus. Visit the Testing Centers website for instructions and to make appointments.

What are the technology requirements for the Online AA program?

A full list of technology requirements for online learning is available on the Online Learning and Technology website. Please ensure the equipment you plan to use for your coursework meets these requirements.

What is the cost of the Online AA program?

The cost is based on Tri-C’s Tuition and Fee Schedule. Out-of-county and out-of-state tuition surcharges apply.

Tri-C’s Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office is dedicated to helping students navigate financial aid options for their college expenses. Speak with a Student Financial Aid advisor to obtain information about financial aid options including grants, scholarships, student loans, and public benefits.

Will my transcript indicate that I completed my degree online?

No. The Online AA appears identical to the traditional AA on our transcripts.

The schedule offers several different online course modalities. What does each one mean, and which one should I select?

Tri-C offers courses in a variety of formats. Online options include courses with or without virtual meetings.

Online / Asynchronous (DWB)
These fully online courses have no set meeting times but may have scheduled online or in-person proctored exams.
Virtual Meetings (DWS)
These fully online courses require attendance in virtual meetings on the days and times listed.
Blended: Virtual Meeting Requirement
Virtual Meetings XX% / Online XX% (DS75, DS50, DS25)
These blended courses require virtual meetings and online/asynchronous participation. Students participate in virtual meetings XX% of the time. The remaining content is delivered online. The days and times for virtual meeting sessions are listed

How long will it take to complete my degree?

It depends on the number of credits you take each semester. The Online AA degree requires 60 credits to complete. Tri-C considers 12 credits or more per semester full-time enrollment; anything less is part-time. We recommend working with a counselor to develop an academic plan that fits your schedule.

Full-time enrollment
To complete your degree in two years, you must earn 30 credits per academic year (fall, spring, summer*). You can break them up however you like, as long as you register for at least 12 credits each fall and spring. *If you do not register for summer sessions, it may take longer than two years to complete your degree.
Part-time enrollment
Time to completion can vary greatly among part-time students, depending on the number of credits earned each semester. To complete your degree in four years, you must earn 15 credits per academic year (fall, spring, summer)

What are my options for transfer after completing my Online AA?

The Online AA degree includes a set of general education courses that are guaranteed to transfer to any public institution of higher education in Ohio. These courses are part of the Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36). Visit Tri-C’s Transfer Resources page to learn more about the OT36 and other specific transfer opportunities. We also recommend working with a counselor to develop an academic plan based on your intended area of study.

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