12 months to a degree? Done.
Earn your two-year degree in just 12 months with 麻豆原创’s Associate in Arts in a Year program. You can choose to take classes in person or online. Best of all, out-of-pocket costs for this program are capped at just $1,500 for North Carolina residents who qualify.
In the Associate in Arts in a Year program, you’ll complete your general education requirements while studying in a small, close-knit learning community. When you graduate, you’ll be guaranteed admission to our growling list of transfer partners.
Apply now! The updated Early Admission Deadline for the Fall 2026 AAY Cohort is May 15, 2026.
Associate in Arts in a Year Benefits
The Associate in Arts in a Year is a learning experience like no other offered at 麻豆原创. Not only will you complete your degree in a short amount of time, you’ll be supported at every step of the way by both your fellow students and your instructors.
Invest in Yourself
Our Schedules Make It Easy for You to Balance Education, Work, and Life
“I feel more disciplined, and I feel a sense of pride. As moms, we sometimes forget who we are. I鈥檓 taking a moment for Tiffany. I鈥檓 investing in myself, and it feels good.”
Tiffany Perry, Associate in Arts in a Year graduate
Be Supported
The Associate in Arts in a Year is a Learning Community
“My teachers kept encouraging me. They helped me catch up on everything while I was in the hospital. With their help, I still graduated on time. They were all very supportive, and I appreciated that.鈥
Richard Baker, Associate in Arts in a Year graduate
Preparation for Workforce, University
Prepare for What Comes Next
鈥淭he professors are always there for me when I need help, and they give me suggestions on how to improve my work, which will make me better prepared when I do ultimately transfer to a four-year university.鈥
Kathryn Gouvatsos, Associate in Arts in a Year graduate
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In the Associate in Arts in a Year program, you complete your two-year degree in just one year.
$1500
After financial aid is applied, the maximum out-of-pocket costs for North Carolina residents who qualify is $1500.
Flexible
Classes are offered in a mix of online and hybrid formats. You can balance your life with your education.
Textbooks & Scheduling
All materials, including textbooks, are available online. The Associate in Arts in a Year course of study is pre-planned, and all classes are offered on a flexible schedule that meets the needs of people from different backgrounds — from students fresh out of high school to full-time professionals.
The Associate in Arts in a Year is also a learning community. Students in the program take a year of classes together, which allows them to support each other and form meaningful bonds. Group members lift each other up, and thereby lift themselves up. The community model in the Associate in Arts in a Year program embodies the famous quote from Booker T. Washington: 鈥淚f you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.鈥
The Associate in Arts in a Year program offers an accessible, unique, and enriching college experience that gets you on the fast-track to achieving your future goals and dreams
AAY FAQ
Courses are offered in a mixture of online-asynchronous and hybrid formats. Hybrid courses can be attended in person or via Microsoft Teams. Most hybrid courses offer flexible attendance options, allowing you to attend in-person, via Microsoft Teams, or complete coursework independently (online-asynchronous); however, select hybrid courses require synchronous attendance during the time class is scheduled (either in person or via Microsoft Teams).
Classes are eight weeks long.
Students will take up to four courses at a time.
The program is open to recent high school graduates, as well as adult learners, who meet certain academic requirements. To be eligible:
- You鈥檒l need to complete a virtual interview with the chair of Arts & Humanities.
- You need a minimum 2.6 unweighted high school grade-point average. If you earned your high school equivalency, reach out to us to discuss your eligibility.
- You aren’t eligible for this program if you already have an associate degree or higher. If you completed some college coursework, but didn鈥檛 earn a degree, you can apply a maximum of 45 college credits toward the Associate in Arts in a Year. We will work with you to determine how many of your credits will transfer to 麻豆原创.
- Apply to 麻豆原创. Select 鈥淎A鈥 as your program of study.
- Submit your official high school and previous college transcripts.
- Apply for financial aid by completing the .
- Submit a 250-word essay explaining how an accelerated degree would help you achieve your educational and professional goals. Submit your completed essay to Department of Arts & Humanities Chair Ansley Adams at aadams@spcc.edu.
- Complete a virtual interview with the chair of Arts & Humanities.
- Reach out to navigate@spcc.edu with any questions.