Academics

Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree

These guidelines are for students enrolled in classes before the fall 2020 semester. 

The Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree is the foundation for many college majors and for the bachelor's degree. The AAS degree provides a two-year, general education liberal arts-based academic program with training in the fine arts and humanities, mathematical and natural sciences, and social sciences.

The AAS degree is a foundation for many majors in the University of Wisconsin System and is generally accepted by other University of Wisconsin System institutions as fulfilling the university-wide general education breadth requirements. Students may earn the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree with Emphasis.

About the Degree
The degree requires that core requirements in writing and mathematics be completed as well as a distribution of credits in breadth of knowledge categories.The breadth categories in the degree are defined as follows:

Fine Arts and Humanities
Students must acquire knowledge of ideas, beliefs, and abiding concerns pertaining to the human condition as represented in literature, philosophy and cultural history. They must acquire a level of aesthetic appreciation of the human imagination as expressed in the fine arts, and appreciation of the impact of the arts upon the quality and character of human life.

Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Students must know of the nature and workings of the physical universe. They must understand the scientific method, the functions of numerical data and the solving of problems through mathematical and statistical computations, as well as the application of the scientific method in laboratory and experimental work. For this, an appropriate level of computer literacy is required. Students must also be aware of environmental conditions and challenges, the interrelationships of life forms and ecosystems, and the impact of human activities upon natural environments.

Social Sciences
Students must understand the nature and dynamics of human social systems and how and why people organize their lives and resources. In doing so, students will learn about both their own and diverse cultures to acquire a historical perspective on long-term characteristics and consequences of social change and an informed understanding of the variety of human conditions and the interrelationships of nations, regions, peoples and individuals.

Application and Performance
Students must demonstrate an understanding of concepts, theory and knowledge through the application of their skills and understanding to specific problems and activities.

Ethnic Studies
Students must become aware of and sensitive to diversity issues and problems. Courses fulfilling this requirement will have a substantial emphasis on cultural diversity within the United States and examine these issues from at least one of the following perspectives: African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and American Indian topics.

Interdisciplinary Studies
Students must acquire an appreciation for the multiple dimensions of any given subject by applying the content, methods and assumptions of two or more disciplines. Students will learn to integrate knowledge from across the curriculum. A course is an interdisciplinary studies course if instructors from two or more disciplines teach the course.

Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree

These guidelines will begin fall 2020 for new freshman and transfer students.

The Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree is the foundation for many college majors and for the bachelor's degree. The AAS degree provides a two-year, general education liberal arts-based academic program with training in the fine arts and humanities, mathematical and natural sciences, and social sciences.

The AAS degree is a foundation for many majors in the University of Wisconsin System and is generally accepted by other University of Wisconsin System institutions as fulfilling the university-wide general education breadth requirements. Students may earn the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree with Emphasis.

About the Degree
The degree requires that core requirements in writing and mathematics be completed as well as a distribution of credits in breadth of knowledge categories.The breadth categories in the degree are defined as follows:

General Education Breadth Requirements

A student must complete general education coursework in a variety of different disciplines based on breadth categories established by the University of Wisconsin System Shared Learning Goals. A student must complete coursework in six different breadth categories. Each course is limited to only one breadth category.

• Knowledge of Human Cultures (HC)
  • Courses focus on analysis of the human condition, culture, and society. This typically includes coursework that requires students to engage with and analyze human interaction and culture, social organization and institutions, historical contexts, and/or complex interdependent systems.
• Knowledge of the Natural World (NW)
  • Courses focus on concepts and applications related to the natural and physical sciences and mathematics. The NW requirement typically includes coursework in the sciences and mathematics.
• Critical and Creative Thinking (CC)
  • Courses extend students’ abilities to analyze issues and produce responses that are both logical and innovative. The CC requirement can be fulfilled with qualifying coursework in any discipline.
• Effective Communication (EC)
  • Courses support and assess students’ development of reading, listening, speaking, information literacy, and/or writing proficiencies. The EC requirement typically includes coursework in multiple communication modes, including speaking/listening, writing, communication, and media studies.
• Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (IK)
  • Courses prepare students to live and work in diverse contexts by focusing on building cross‐cultural communication, interaction, and empathy with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The IK requirement typically includes coursework in the social sciences, humanities, fine arts, foreign languages, and ethnic studies.
• Individual, Social and Environmental Responsibility (RE)
  • Courses provide the foundation for lifelong learning and the intellectual tools for engaging ethically as members of society.

Depth Requirement (DR)

The UW System Associate Degree Standards require each student to complete “a two-course sequence in which the first course provides the foundation for the second.” A student fulfills this requirement by taking a disciplinary depth sequence.

Quantitative Literacy (QL)

A student must complete a minimum of three credits of quantitative literacy (QL) coursework. A qualifying course focuses on college-level algebraic reasoning, probability, and/or statistics and has Math 105 as a prerequisite.

Laboratory Science (LS)

A student must complete at least one laboratory science course. In laboratory science courses, a student engages in empirical study of the natural world to enhance learning. 

Ethnic studies (ES)

A student must take one ethnic studies course. These classes have a substantial emphasis on cultural diversity issues and ethnic minorities within the United States. Ethnic Studies courses aim to foster appreciation of the attitudes and relationships, and interactions of, specific populations in American Culture.

High Impact Practices Requirement (HIP)

A High Impact Practice course focuses learning that increases a student’s social and intellectual engagement in higher education. These active learning courses challenge students to engage in higher order thinking, including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, application, and/or creation of original work. Courses meeting the High Impact Practice requirement include the following:

• First-Year Seminars (HIP/FY)
• Learning Communities (HIP/LC)
• Writing Emphasis Courses (HIP/WR
• Undergraduate Research (HIP/UR)
• Collaborative Learning (HIP/CL)
• Diversity/Global Learning Opportunities (HIP/DG)
• Community-Based Learning/Service Learning (HIP/SL)
• Internships (HIP/IN)
• Capstone Project (HIP/CP)
• ePortfolio (HIP/EP)

Elective CoursesIn addition to completing general education requirements, a student takes elective courses to fulfill the required minimum 60 degree credits for an associate degree. Elective courses often lead to an emphasis, a baccalaureate major or minor, or other degree requirements related to a student’s educational goals.

 Outline of Degree Requirements:

Collaborative Degree Programs

Students enrolled at UWW Rock County may complete an online associate or bachelor's degree through one of the following Collaborative Degree Programs:

• Collaborative Online AAS Program - Online Associate of Arts and Science degree with University of Wisconsin Extended Campus.
• UW-Milwaukee College Connection- Majors Include: Organization Administration, Communication, Information Resources
• UW-Oshkosh - Majors Include: Human Services Leadership
• UW System eCampus - Earn a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Business Administration, Nursing, Sustainable Management and many more majors with online bachelor's degree programs offered by our UW four-year partners.
• UW Platteville Collaborative Engineering
• Madison Connections -  A dual admission program to the University of Wisconsin- Madison and to the University of Wisconsin-Washington County. UW-Madison offers this program to a select group of UW-Madison freshman applicants. The program allows Wisconsin residents to start at UW-Washington County and complete their bachelor's degree at UW-Madison. 

Through participation in the Partner's in Engineering Program at UW-Platteville, students can complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Electircal Engineering without leaving the Rock County area.

• First two years through a combination of face-to-face and online courses at UW-Whitewater at Rock County
• Complete your Engineering degree through UW-Platteville through online and alternative delivery
• Flexible program where you work at your own pace
• Keep working while you earn your degree!
• ABET-accredited

For more information click here.

To get started apply to UW-Whitewater at Rock County today!

Degree Planner

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO is a federally funded program that provides academic, personal and career assistance to its participants as they complete their college education. 

At UW-Whitewater's Rock County campus, TRIO has been empowering students since 1980, and hundreds have gone on to earn their four-year degree at schools around the state and nation. Students in the TRIO program not only get their degree, they do it with honors. TRIO students are well-represented on the Dean's List and among campus scholarship winners.

Staff

TRIO staff includes professionals who individually assess each student's performance and provide an appropriate level of tutoring or advising. TRIO seeks to provide a supportive environment while nurturing the academic and personal growth of each student.

Resources

As an eligible student, you can take advantage of the resources TRIO has to offer:

• Academic advising
• Tutoring in math and writing
• Transfer planning
• Career exploration
• Assistance with financial aid and scholarships

Record of Success

Every year, TRIO serves 150 students who set their sights on success in and out of the classroom. TRIO students at UW-Whitewater at Rock County have gone on to make contributions to the community as teachers, attorneys, journalists, small business owners and leaders in many other fields.

Eligibility

TRIO aims to provide equal educational opportunities for all eligible students. You are eligible if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Neither of your parents has earned a bachelor's degree
• You have a diagnosed learning disability
• You have any physical disability
• You meet federal low-income guidelines

If you are interested in becoming a member of TRIO, call 608-758-6535 or email uwwrockinfo@uww.edu. Applications for TRIO can be found here. Completed applications may be submitted to Julie Janiak, Director of TRIO Student Support Services, at janiakj@uww.edu or may be mailed to : TRIO Office | UWW Rock County | 2909 Kellogg Ave. | Janesville, WI 53546