The Associate of Arts/Oregon Transfer (AA/OT) degree is a program of study that community college students can follow to fulfill all their lower division general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Oregon Public Universities. Completion of the AA/OT degree can lead to junior standing, for registration purposes, for any student admitted to a public university in Oregon (University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology and Eastern Oregon University).
The AA/OT does not necessarily meet specific institutional, departmental, or major requirements with regard to courses or grade point average. Students may transfer between 90 and 124 community college credits to four-year Oregon public institutions. Students should plan carefully with the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer in order to meet individual institutional requirements. Students considering transfer to private and out-of-state institutions will find the AA/OT to be excellent preparation for upper division study. Please contact the University Center for specific transfer requirements.
Upon enrolling at Southwestern, students need to be ready for college-level mathematics, writing and science in order to complete the AA/OT in two years. If students lack the necessary skills, Southwestern offers excellent developmental courses and tutorial assistance to help them get on track quickly.
The AA/OT degree is designed for students planning to transfer into a bachelor's degree program at an Oregon public university. These universities accept the AA/OT as a “block transfer,” enabling a student to enter with junior standing having all of the transfer school’s lower division general education requirements met. The AA/OT offers students the flexibility to choose courses that interest them while fulfilling requirements at their transfer schools.
Several Oregon private institutions and a limited number of out-of-state institutions also accept the AA/OT. These include Concordia University, Pacific University, Warner Pacific College, George Fox University and Marylhurst University in the Portland area, as well as Western Baptist College, BYU - Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, Boise State University, Seattle Pacific University, and Washington State University.
It is important to note that the AA/OT may not be the best degree option for all majors. Students should consult advisors in their major areas for educational planning related to required courses in their majors.
Graduation Requirements
Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours, distributed across general education categories listed below. All courses must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time the AA/OT is awarded. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AA/OT degree is awarded.
Successfully complete the following courses (except for elective credits) from the list of approved general education courses for the AA/OT degree.
Students may take any college-level course that would bring total credits to 90 quarter hours, including up to 12 credits of college-designated career nd technical education (CTE) courses. Note: Some courses are considered career technical courses and have limitations within this degree, they are designated with "CTE" next to the course number in the Course Descriptions area of this catalog. A maximum of nine (9) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses may be applied to the AA/OT degree.
Courses that are developmental in nature (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses) are not applicable to this degree.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Foundational Requirements
All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.
Writing
Three (3) courses from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WR121 | English Composition | 3 |
| or WR121H | English Composition w/Honors | |
| WR122 | English Composition | 3 |
| or WR122H | English Composition w/Honors | |
| WR123 | English Composition | 3 |
| WR227 | Report Writing | 3 |
Mathematics
One (1) course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MTH105 | Math in Society (with a prerequisite of MTH98) | 4 |
| MTH111 | College Algebra (or higher with a prerequisite of MTH95, excluding MTH211) | 4 |
| or MTH111H | College Algebra w/Honors | |
Communication
One (1) course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SP100 | Basic Speech Communications | 3 |
| SP111 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| SP218 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| SP219 | Small Group Discussion | 3 |
Health, Wellness and Fitness
Three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses or HE250 Personal Health or PE231 Wellness for Life.
Discipline Studies Requirements
All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.
Arts and Letters
Three (3) courses chosen from two (2) or more disciplines:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART115 | Basic Design I, Intro to Elements | 4 |
| ART116 | Basic Design II, Color Theory | 4 |
| ART117 | Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Desgn | 4 |
| ART131 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| ART132 | Introduction to Drawing II | 3 |
| ART133 | Introduction to Drawing III | 3 |
| ART191 | Beginning Sculpture | 3 |
| ART192 | Beginning Sculpture | 3 |
| ART204 | History of Western Art: | 3 |
| ART205 | History of Western Art: | 3 |
| ART206 | History of Western Art: | 3 |
| ART225 | Computer Art I | 3 |
| ART244 | Bronze Casting | 3 |
| ART253 | Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART256 | Ceramics II | 3 |
| ART281 | Painting I Beginning | 3 |
| ART282 | Painting II Beginning | 3 |
| ART283 | Painting III Beginning | 3 |
| ART284 | Painting I Intermediate | 3 |
| ART285 | Painting II Intermediate | 3 |
| ART286 | Painting III Intermediate | 3 |
| ASL201 | 2nd Yr American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL202 | 2nd Yr American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL203 | 2nd Yr American Sign Language III | 4 |
| ENG104 | Introduction to Literature Fiction | 3 |
| ENG105 | Introduction to Literature Drama | 3 |
| ENG106 | Introduction to Literature Poetry | 3 |
| ENG107 | World Literature | 3 |
| or ENG107H | World Literature w/Honors | |
| ENG108 | World Literature | 3 |
| ENG109 | World Literature | 3 |
| ENG201 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG204 | Survey of English Literature | 3 |
| or ENG204H | Survey of English Lit w/Honors | |
| ENG205 | Survey of English Literature | 3 |
| ENG206 | Survey of English Literature | 3 |
| HUM204 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| HUM205 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| HUM206 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| J203 | Writing for Media I | 3 |
| J205 | Writing for Media II | 3 |
| J215 | Publishing Lab | 3 |
| MUS101 | Music Fundamentals | 3 |
| MUS111 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS112 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS113 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS201 | Intro to Music and its Literature | 3 |
| MUS202 | Intro to Music and its Literature | 3 |
| MUS203 | Intro to Music and its Literature | 3 |
| MUS205 | Intro to Jazz History | 3 |
| MUS206 | Intro to History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
| MUS211 | Advanced Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS212 | Advanced Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS213 | Advanced Music Theory III | 3 |
| PHL101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHL102 | Ethics | 3 |
| PHL103 | Intro to Logic and Critical Thnkg | 3 |
| SP100 | Basic Speech Communications | 3 |
| SP111 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| SP218 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| SP219 | Small Group Discussion | 3 |
| SP220 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| SPAN201 | Second Year Spanish | 4 |
| SPAN202 | Second Year Spanish | 4 |
| SPAN203 | Second Year Spanish | 4 |
| WR241 | Imaginative Creative Writing | 3 |
| WR242 | Imaginative Writing Poetry Writing | 3 |
| WR243 | Imaginative Writing Explorations | 3 |
Social Sciences
Four (4) courses chosen from two (2) or more disciplines:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH101 | Physical Anthropology and Evolution | 3 |
| ANTH102 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH221 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH222 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH223 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH224 | Intro to Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH230 | Native North Americans: Oregon | 3 |
| ANTH231 | Native North Americans: PNW | 3 |
| ANTH232 | Native North Americans | 3 |
| CJ101 | Intro to Criminology | 4 |
| ECON201 | Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON202 | Macroeconomics | 4 |
| ED169 | Overview of Student Special Needs | 3 |
| ED258 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| ENV110 | Introduction Environmental Science | 3 |
| GEOG105 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| HDFS140 | Contemporary American Families | 3 |
| HDFS222 | Family Relations | 3 |
| HDFS229 | Development in Middle Childhood | 3 |
| HDFS247 | Preschool Child Development | 3 |
| HST101 | History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| HST102 | History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| HST103 | History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| HST104 | History of the Middle East | 3 |
| HST201 | History of the United States | 3 |
| HST202 | History of the United States | 3 |
| HST203 | History of the United States | 3 |
| HST240 | Hist of Oregon and the South Coast | 3 |
| PS201 | American Government Political | 3 |
| PS202 | American Government Policy Issues | 3 |
| PS203 | Local Politics and Government | 3 |
| PSY100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| PSY201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY201H | General Psychology w/Honors | |
| PSY202 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY202H | General Psychology w/Honors | |
| PSY203 | General Psychology | 3 |
| or PSY203H | General Psychology w/Honors | |
| PSY216 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY228 | Introduction to Social Science | 3 |
| PSY231 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY237 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| PSY239 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY243 | Drugs and Behavior | 3 |
| SOC105 | Introduction to Criminology | 4 |
| SOC204 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC205 | Social Institutions and Change | 3 |
| SOC206 | Social Problems and Issues | 3 |
| SOC208 | Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SOC210 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
| SOC213 | Racial and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| WS101 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
Science/Mathematics/Computer Science
Four (4) courses from two (2) or more disciplines including at least three (3) laboratory courses in biological and/or physical science.
Laboratory Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI101 | General Biology | 4 |
| BI102 | General Biology | 4 |
| BI103 | General Biology | 4 |
| BI142 | Habitats: Marine Biology | 4 |
| BI201 | Introductory Biology | 4 |
| BI202 | Introductory Biology | 4 |
| BI203 | Introductory Biology | 4 |
| BI231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI232 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BI233 | Human Anatomy and Physiology III | 4 |
| BI234 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM221 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM222 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM223 | General Chemistry III | 5 |
| CHEM245 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM246 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM247 | Organic Chemistry III | 4 |
| ENV235 | Introduction to Soil Science | 4 |
| G201 | Physical Geology I | 4 |
| G202 | Physical Geology II | 4 |
| G203 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GS104 | Physical Science | 4 |
| GS105 | Physical Science | 4 |
| GS106 | Introduction to Earth Science | 4 |
| GS107 | Astronomy | 4 |
| GS108 | Oceanography | 4 |
| PH201 | Gen Physics I: Mechanics | 5 |
| PH202 | Gen Physics II: Heat, Waves, Rel | 5 |
| PH203 | Gen Physics III: Elect & Magnetism | 5 |
| PH211 | Gen Physics w/Calculus I | 5 |
| PH212 | Gen Physics w/Calculus II | 5 |
| PH213 | Gen Physics w/Calculus III | 5 |
Other Approved Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI140 | Practical Ecology | 3 |
| BI149 | Introduction to Human Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM110 | Found of Gen, Organic & Biochem | 4 |
| or CHEM110H | Fnds of Gen, Org & Biochem w/Honors | |
| CS160 | Computer Science Orientation | 4 |
| CS161 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| CS162 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 4 |
| CS261 | Data Structures | 4 |
| ENV110 | Introduction Environmental Science | 3 |
| G146 | Geology of Southwestern Oregon | 3 |
| G207 | Geology of the Pacific Northwest | 3 |
| G221 | General Geology | 3 |
| G246 | Geological Hazards | 3 |
| MTH105 | Math in Society | 4 |
| MTH111 | College Algebra | 4 |
| or MTH111H | College Algebra w/Honors | |
| MTH112 | Trigonometry | 4 |
| or MTH112H | Trigonometry w/Honors | |
| MTH212 | Fundamentals of Elementary | 4 |
| MTH213 | Fundamentals of Elementary | 4 |
| MTH231 | Elements of Discrete Mathematics I | 4 |
| MTH232 | Elements of Discrete Mathematics II | 4 |
| MTH241 | Calculus for Bus and Soc Science I | 4 |
| MTH242 | Calculus for Bus and Soc Science II | 4 |
| MTH243 | Intro to Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| MTH251 | Calculus I Differential Calculus | 4 |
| or MTH251H | Calculus I w/Honors | |
| MTH252 | Calculus II Integral Calculus | 4 |
| or MTH252H | Calculus II w/Honors | |
| MTH253 | Calculus III | 4 |
| or MTH253H | Calculus III w/Honors | |
| MTH254 | Vector Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH255 | Vector Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH256 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| MTH260 | Matrix Methods and Linear Algebra | 4 |
Cultural Literacy
Students must select one course from any of the discipline studies that is designated as meeting the statewide criteria for cultural literacy. Courses below meet the Cultural Literacy requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH221 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH222 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH223 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH224 | Intro to Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH230 | Native North Americans: Oregon | 3 |
| ANTH231 | Native North Americans: PNW | 3 |
| ANTH232 | Native North Americans | 3 |
| ED258 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| ENG107 | World Literature | 3 |
| or ENG107H | World Literature w/Honors | |
| ENG108 | World Literature | 3 |
| ENG109 | World Literature | 3 |
| GEOG105 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| HDFS140 | Contemporary American Families | 3 |
| HUM204 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| HUM205 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| HUM206 | World Mythlgy & Religion | 3 |
| HST104 | History of the Middle East | 3 |
| MUS205 | Intro to Jazz History | 3 |
| MUS206 | Intro to History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
| PSY216 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY231 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| SOC208 | Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SOC210 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
| SOC213 | Racial and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SP220 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| WS101 | Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 |
Electives
- All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.
- Students may take any college-level course that would bring total credits to 90 quarter hours including up to 12 credits of college designated Career and Technical Education courses.
- A maximum of nine (9) credits of any PE185 sport/activity courses may be applied to the AA/OT degree.
- Three (3) credit hours of PE185 may be granted toward the AA/OT degree for completion of military basic training. A copy of the military transcript or DD-214 is required.
- Courses numbered 199/299 will qualify as elective credit only.
Supportive Courses
Note: The College has determined that the following supportive courses may be necessary to assist students to successfully complete their program; they count as electives only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS125W | Word Processing Applications | 3 |
| HD0529 | Math Success | 1 |
| HD100 | College Success and Survival | 3 |
| HD111 | Math Success | 2 |
| HD112 | Study Skills | 3 |
| HD113 | Stop Test Anxiety Now | 1 |
| HD140 | Career/Education Exploration | 1 |
| HD147 | Decision Making | 1 |
| HD152 | Stress Management | 1 |
| HD154 | Self-Esteem | 1 |
| HD204 | Living Consciously | 3 |
| HD215 | Transfer Success | 1 |
| HD208 | Career/Life Plan | 3 |
| LIB127 | Navigating the 24/7 Library | 1 |
| OA121 | Beginning Keyboarding | 3 |
| RD101 | College Reading I | 1-3 |
| RD102 | College Reading II | 1-3 |
| RD103 | College Reading III | 1-3 |
A maximum of 45 credits is allowed for basic, developmental, or supportive courses under federal financial aid guidelines.
Program Notes
- Community colleges may not add requirements at the local level. The total credits should not exceed the number required to meet these course requirements within the College’s credit structure.
- Writing courses must meet the specific course outcomes as identified by Oregon Writing and English Advisory Council (OWEAC). In addition, the group of courses that is sufficient for meeting this requirement must, together, provide all of the content recommended by the OWEAC, including a research component.
- Although they are important in terms of preparation, courses that are developmental in nature are designed to prepare students for college-level work and are not counted in the 90-quarter hours required for the AA/OT.
- The "Foundational Requirements" above represent minimal skill competencies. As such, they may be open to demonstration of competency. Each community college is encouraged to establish how students may demonstrate competency in lieu of completing the course(s).
- Computer Science courses used in the Science/Math/Computer Science area must meet Oregon Council of Computer Chairs criteria for a science course. Math courses listed in the Science/Math/Computer Science area must meet the outcomes and criteria for Mathematics.
- All Foundational Requirement courses and Discipline Studies courses must meet the statewide outcomes and criteria for the specific area.
- Only second year foreign language courses may be included among courses that count toward the Arts and Letters requirement. American Sign Language (ASL) is considered a foreign language.
- WR115 may be included in the AA/OT degree as an elective.
- The principal advantage of the AA/OT is that it fulfills the lower division (freshman/sophomore) general education requirements for bachelor's degrees at all Oregon public universities. It does not necessarily meet all of the degree requirements that Oregon public universities might have beyond the requirements for majors. The AA/OT guarantees that all general education credits that a student earned will be accepted as the general education requirements at the receiving institution.
- In some cases, students may also be able to use AA/OT general education courses to meet certain lower division requirements in their intended majors. However, caution is required since the AA/OT degree was not intended for this purpose. Students who have a major in mind and also want to maximize the amount of AA/OT coursework that will count toward it, should work closely with an academic advisor and/or the University Center when designing their AA/OT degrees.
- Because the amount of coursework required for an AA/OT degree corresponds to two academic years, degree recipients are considered juniors for purposes of registration at an Oregon public universities. Students should keep in mind, however, that the AA/OT does not guarantee that two additional years will suffice to earn a bachelor's degree, that is because the AA/OT does not give students junior-standing in their majors. Neither does it guarantee entrance into a competitive major. Students may need to take additional introductory work to prepare for certain majors and should check with an advisor regarding availability at their local community colleges. In addition, it’s common for students to change their majors and find that they must go back and take introductory work in the new area.
- Students and academic advisors should recognize that although the AA/OT provides an excellent structure for many students—particularly those who are unsure of their primary academic focus—it is not ideal for everyone. In particular, it does not articulate well with certain majors such as engineering, biological and physical sciences, and the fine and performing arts. Students contemplating these majors cannot easily accommodate their highly-specific prerequisite coursework into the AA/OT framework. In general, an AA/OT recipient who is pursuing any course of study that is credit-heavy at the major lower division level may have to take additional lower division coursework, specific to the major, after transfer. Students contemplating such majors should consult closely with an advisor and/or the University Center.
- When transferring courses to a university that include CLEP, Challenge, Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or other non-traditionally earned credits, the student should talk with the university about transferability.