Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT)

The Associate of Arts/Oregon Transfer (AAOT) 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 AAOT 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 AAOT 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 AAOT to be excellent preparation for upper division study. Please contact your advisor 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 AAOT 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 AAOT degree is designed for students planning to transfer into a bachelor's degree program at an Oregon public university. These universities accept the AAOT 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 AAOT offers students the flexibility to choose courses that interest them while fulfilling requirements at their transfer schools. Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, the state of Oregon has implemented Common Course Numbering(Z), which is a series of classes guaranteed to transfer to other public institutions within the state. They are the following courses: 

Biology
BI221ZPrinciples of Biology: Cells5
BI222ZPrinciples of Biology: Organisms5
BI223ZPrinciples of Biology: Ecology And Evolution5
BI231ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology I4
BI232ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology II4
BI233ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology III4
Business Administration
BA101ZIntroduction To Business4
BA169ZData Analysis Using Microsoft Excel4
BA211ZPrinciples of Financial Accounting4
BA226ZIntroduction to Business Law4
Chemistry
CHEM104Z
CHEM124Z
Introduction To Chemistry
and Introduction To Chemistry Lab
5
CHEM112ZChemistry For Health Professions4
CHEM221Z
CHEM227Z
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
5
CHEM222Z
CHEM228Z
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
5
CHEM223Z
CHEM229Z
General Chemistry III
and General Chemistry III Laboratory
5
Communication
COMM100ZIntroduction to Communication4
COMM111ZPublic Speaking4
COMM218ZInterpersonal Communication4
Economics
ECON201ZPrinciples of Microeconomics4
ECON202ZPrinciples of Macroeconomics4
English
ENG104ZIntroduction To Fiction4
ENG105ZIntroduction To Drama4
ENG106ZIntroduction To Poetry4
History
HST201ZUnited States History I4
HST202ZUnited States History II4
HST203ZUnited States History Ill4
Mathematics
MTH105ZMath in Society (has corequisite of MTH105A)4
MTH111ZPrecalculus I: Functions (has corequisite of MTH111A)4
MTH112ZPrecalculus II: Trigonometry4
MTH251ZDifferential Calculus4
MTH252ZIntegral Calculus4
MTH253ZCalculus: Sequences and Series4
Psychology
PSY201ZIntroduction to Psychology I4
PSY202ZIntroduction to Psychology II4
Sociology
SOC204ZIntroduction to Sociology4
SOC205ZSocial Change and Institutions4
SOC206ZSocial Problems4
Spanish
SPAN101ZFirst-Year Spanish I4
SPAN102ZFirst-Year Spanish II4
SPAN103ZFirst-Year Spanish III4
Statistics
STAT243ZElementary Statistics I4
Writing
WR121ZComposition I (has corequisite of WR121A)4
WR122ZComposition II4
WR227ZTechnical Writing4

Several Oregon private institutions and a limited number of out-of-state institutions also accept the AAOT. These include Pacific University, Warner Pacific College, George Fox 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 the AAOT 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

Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours, distributed across the general education categories listed below. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time the AAOT is awarded. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Students must successfully complete the following courses from the list of approved general education courses for the AAOT degree and a number of elective credits.

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 (CTE) courses. Note: Some courses are considered career technical courses and have limitations within this degree; they are designated with "CTE" in the Course Description area of this catalog. A maximum of nine (9) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses may be applied to the AAOT degree.

Courses that are developmental in nature (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses) are not applicable to this degree.

Students must 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

Eight (8) credits of writing are required. All AAOT students take WR121Z and choose between the other two (2) courses from below. Information Literacy will be included in the writing requirement:

WR121ZComposition I (has corequisite of WR121A)4
WR122ZComposition II4
or WR227Z Technical Writing

Mathematics

One (1) course of college-level mathematics from MTH105Z Math in Society or higher, excluding MTH211 Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics I

Communication

One (1) course from:

COMM100ZIntroduction to Communication4
COMM111ZPublic Speaking4
COMM218ZInterpersonal Communication4
COMM219Small Group Discussion4

Health, Wellness, and Fitness

 HE250 Personal Health or PE231 Wellness for Life will meet this requirement.

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:

ART115Basic Design I Intro to Elements of Art and Principles of Design4
ART116Basic Design II, Color Theory4
ART117Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Design4
ART131Introduction to Drawing I3
ART132Introduction to Drawing II3
ART133Introduction to Drawing III3
ART191Beginning Sculpture3
ART192Beginning Sculpture3
ART204History of Western Art: Introduction to Art History3
ART205History of Western Art: Introduction to Art History3
ART206History of Western Art: Introduction to Art History3
ART244Bronze Casting3
ART253Ceramics I3
ART256Ceramics II3
ART281Painting I Beginning3
ART282Painting II Beginning3
ART283Painting III Beginning3
ART284Painting I Intermediate3
ART285Painting II Intermediate3
ART286Painting III Intermediate3
ASL2012nd Yr American Sign Language I4
ASL2022nd Yr American Sign Language II4
ASL2032nd Yr American Sign Language III4
COMM100ZIntroduction to Communication4
COMM111ZPublic Speaking4
COMM218ZInterpersonal Communication4
COMM219Small Group Discussion4
COMM220Gender And Communication4
ENG104ZIntroduction To Fiction4
ENG105ZIntroduction To Drama4
ENG106ZIntroduction To Poetry4
ENG107World Literature3
ENG108World Literature3
ENG109World Literature3
ENG201Shakespeare3
ENG204Survey of English Literature3
ENG205Survey of English Literature3
ENG206Survey of English Literature3
ENG253Survey of American Literature3
ENG254Survey of American Literature3
ENG255Survey of American Literature3
ENG264The Vampire in Film: The Undead As Cinematic Expression of the Living3
HUM204World Mythology & Religion3
HUM205World Mythology & Religion3
HUM206World Mythology & Religion3
MUS101Music Fundamentals3
MUS111Music Theory I3
MUS112Music Theory II3
MUS113Music Theory III3
MUS201Intro to Music and its Literature3
MUS202Intro to Music and its Literature3
MUS203Intro to Music and its Literature3
MUS205Intro to Jazz History3
MUS206Intro to History of Rock and Roll3
MUS211Advanced Music Theory I3
MUS212Advanced Music Theory II3
MUS213Advanced Music Theory III3
PHL101Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophical Problems3
PHL102Ethics3
PHL103Introduction to Logical & Critical Thinking3
SPAN201Second Year Spanish4
SPAN202Second Year Spanish4
SPAN203Second Year Spanish4
WR241Imaginative Creative Writing Fiction3
WR242Imaginative Writing Poetry3
WR243Imaginative Creative Writing: Playwriting3
TA141Acting I3
TA142Acting II3
TA143Acting III3
TA153Rehearsal/Performance3

Social Sciences

Four (4) courses chosen from two (2) or more disciplines:

ANTH201Physical Anthropology and Evolution3
ANTH202Introduction to Archaeology3
ANTH203Language and Culture3
ANTH221Intro to Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH222Cultural Anthropology II3
ANTH223Cultural Anthropology III3
ANTH224Intro to Medical Anthropology3
ANTH230Native North Americans: Oregon3
ANTH231Native North Americans: PNW3
ANTH232Native North Americans3
CJ101Intro to Criminology4
ECON201ZPrinciples of Microeconomics4
ECON202ZPrinciples of Macroeconomics4
ED169Overview of Student Special Needs3
ED258Multicultural Education3
GEOG105Cultural Geography3
HST101History of Western Civilization3
HST102History of Western Civilization3
HST103History of Western Civilization3
HST104History of the Middle East3
HST195History of the Vietnam War3
HST201ZUnited States History I4
HST202ZUnited States History II4
HST203ZUnited States History Ill4
HST240History of Oregon and the South Coast3
PS201American Government: Political Institutions3
PS202American Government: Policy Issues3
PS203Local Politics and Government3
PS205International Relations: US Foreign Policy in the 20th Century3
PSY100Introduction to Psychology4
PSY201ZIntroduction to Psychology I4
PSY202ZIntroduction to Psychology II4
PSY216Social Psychology3
PSY228Introduction to Social Science Research3
PSY231Human Sexuality3
PSY237Life Span Development3
PSY239Introduction to Abnormal Psychology3
PSY243Drugs and Behavior3
SOC204ZIntroduction to Sociology4
SOC205ZSocial Change and Institutions4
SOC206ZSocial Problems4
SOC208Sociology of Sport3
SOC210Marriage and Family3
SOC213Racial and Ethnic Relations3
SOC218Sociology of Gender3

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

BI101General Biology4
BI102General Biology4
BI103General Biology4
BI112Cell Biology for Health Occupations4
BI142Habitats: Marine Biology4
BI221ZPrinciples of Biology: Cells5
BI222ZPrinciples of Biology: Organisms5
BI223ZPrinciples of Biology: Ecology And Evolution5
BI231ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology I4
BI232ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology II4
BI233ZHuman Anatomy & Physiology III4
BI234Microbiology4
CHEM104Z
CHEM124Z
Introduction To Chemistry
and Introduction To Chemistry Lab
5
CHEM112ZChemistry For Health Professions4
CHEM221Z
CHEM227Z
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
5
CHEM222Z
CHEM228Z
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
5
CHEM223Z
CHEM229Z
General Chemistry III
and General Chemistry III Laboratory
5
CHEM245Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM246Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM247Organic Chemistry III4
ENV235Introduction to Soil Science4
G201Physical Geology I4
G202Physical Geology II4
G203Historical Geology4
GS104Physical Science4
GS106Introduction to Earth Science4
GS107Astronomy4
GS108Oceanography4
NR260Watershed Processes4
PH201General Physics I: Mechanics5
PH202General Physics II: Heat, Waves, Relativity5
PH203Gen Physics III: Elect & Magnetism5
PH211General Physics with Calculus I5
PH212General Physics with Calculus II5
PH213General Physics with Calculus III5

Non-Laboratory Courses

BI140Practical Ecology3
BI149Introduction to Human Genetics3
CS160Introduction To Computer Science4
CS161Computer Science I4
CS162Computer Science II4
CS260Data Structures4
ENV110Introduction Environmental Science3
G221General Geology3
G246Geological Hazards And Natural Catastrophes3
MTH105ZMath in Society (has corequisite of MTH105A)4
MTH111ZPrecalculus I: Functions (has corequisite of MTH111A)4
MTH112ZPrecalculus II: Trigonometry4
MTH212Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics II4
MTH213Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics III4
MTH231Elements of Discrete Mathematics I4
MTH232Elements of Discrete Mathematics II4
MTH241Calculus for Bus and Soc Science I4
MTH242Calculus for Bus and Soc Science II4
STAT243ZElementary Statistics I4
MTH244Probability & Statistics II4
MTH251ZDifferential Calculus4
MTH252ZIntegral Calculus4
MTH253ZCalculus: Sequences and Series4
MTH254Vector Calculus I4
MTH255Vector Calculus II4
MTH256Differential Equations4
MTH260Matrix Methods and Linear Algebra4
MTH264Introduction to Matrix Algebra and Power Series4

Cultural Literacy

Students are required to complete at least one (1) course from the following list that meets the statewide criteria for cultural literacy. SWOCC offers these courses that satisfy the Cultural Literacy requirement.

ANTH201Physical Anthropology and Evolution3
ANTH202Introduction to Archaeology3
ANTH203Language and Culture3
ANTH221Intro to Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH222Cultural Anthropology II3
ANTH223Cultural Anthropology III3
ANTH224Intro to Medical Anthropology3
ANTH230Native North Americans: Oregon3
ANTH231Native North Americans: PNW3
ANTH232Native North Americans3
COMM220Gender And Communication4
ED258Multicultural Education3
ENG107World Literature3
ENG108World Literature3
ENG109World Literature3
GEOG105Cultural Geography3
HUM204World Mythology & Religion3
HUM205World Mythology & Religion3
HUM206World Mythology & Religion3
HST104History of the Middle East3
MUS205Intro to Jazz History3
MUS206Intro to History of Rock and Roll3
PSY216Social Psychology3
PSY231Human Sexuality3
SOC208Sociology of Sport3
SOC210Marriage and Family3
SOC213Racial and Ethnic Relations3
SOC218Sociology of Gender3

Electives

  • 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.
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.
  • A maximum of nine (9) credits of any PE185 sport/activity courses may be applied to the AAOT degree.
  • Three (3) credits of PE185 Sport/Activity may be granted toward the AAOT 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.

CIS120Concepts of Computing4
CIS125WWord Processing Applications Microsoft3
HD100College Survival Skills & Success Habits3
HD102College Nuts and Bolts1
HD111Math Success2
HD112Study Skills3
HD113Stop Test Anxiety Now1
HD152Stress Management2
HD208Career/Life Plan3

A maximum of 45 credits is allowed for basic, developmental, or supportive courses under federal financial aid guidelines.

In addition to Institutional Learning Outcomes, standards have been established for Student Learning Outcomes in General Education Courses in the following categories: Arts and Letters, Cultural Literacy, Mathematics, Science or Computer Science, Social Science, Speech and Oral Communication, Writing, and Information Literacy. Coursework in each of these areas supports student achievement of these outcomes. SWOCC evaluates student achievement of course learning outcomes on a regular basis, and this information is used for continuous improvement in instruction and student services.

Arts & Letters

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Arts & Letters* courses, a student should be able to:

  • Interpret and engage in the Arts & Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life; and
  • Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.
  • Arts & Letters” refers to works of art, whether written, crafted, designed, or performed and documents of historical or cultural significance.

Cultural Literacy

Cultural Literacy outcomes will be included in courses that meet the outcomes and criteria of an AAOT Discipline Studies requirement.

Outcomes

As a result of taking a designated Cultural Literacy course, a student should be able to:

  • Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Mathematics

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Mathematics courses, a student should be able to:

  • Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems: Recognize which mathematical concepts are applicable to a scenario, apply appropriate mathematics and technology in its analysis, and then accurately interpret, validate, and communicate the results.
  • Use logical reasoning to make connections between various mathematical concepts and representations.

Science or Computer Science

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Science or Computer Science courses, a student should be able to:

  • Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions;
  • Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner; and
  • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Social Science

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Social Science courses, a student should be able to:

  • Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior; and
  • Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Speech/Oral Communication

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Speech/Oral Communication courses, a student should be able to:

  • Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals;
  • Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts; and
  • Build and manage relationships.

Writing

Outcomes

As a result of completing the General Education Writing sequence, a student should be able to:

  • Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capable for academic and, in some cases, professional audiences;
  • Locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize information to communicate effectively; and
  • Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.

Information Literacy

Information Literacy outcomes and criteria will be embedded in the Writing Foundational Requirements courses.

Outcomes

As a result of taking General Education Writing courses infused with Information Literacy, a student who successfully completes should be able to:

  • Formulate a problem statement;
  • Determine the nature and extent of the information needed to address the problem;
  • Access relevant information effectively and efficiently;
  • Evaluate information and its source critically; and
  • Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information