Associate of Science

Program Website

The Associate of Science degree is offered both online and onsite.

The Associate of Science (AS) Degree includes education in specific knowledge areas, most typically in math and natural sciences. Focusing on integration of information while increasing a student’s employability, the AS is designed for transferability to a baccalaureate program.

Upon completion of the 31 credits required in the core, students are eligible to receive a Certificate in General Studies from Great Falls College MSU. The Certificate recognizes the completion of the core and is approved by the Montana University System Board of Regents. Students may use the Certificate to demonstrate completion of the core when transferring within the MUS or as a milestone to earning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at Great Falls College MSU.

To receive the AS degree, the following requirements must be completed:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Montana University System Core Requirements		31
Computer Skills/Usage requirement		3
Math and Science coursework		9
Electives		17
Final cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0
Total Credits		60

Courses taken to fulfill one specific requirement, including courses in the Elective block, may not be used to fulfill another specific requirement; thus, a course taken to fulfill the Natural Science requirement in the Montana University System Core may not be used as an Elective.

Graduates are prepared to:

• Express and support a position clearly through formal communication. 
• Apply quantitative reasoning skills to solve problems. 
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of artistic expressions or the humanities in various past and present cultures.
• Analyze and interpret various forms of information using scientific concepts and principles and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of social science principles or historical events as they relate to contemporary society.
• Recognize the value of cultural diversity in society. 
• Recognize the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians.
• Use appropriate technologies for personal, academic and career tasks. 

Estimated Resident Program Cost^*

Estimated Resident Program Cost

Item	Cost
Tuition and Fees	$8,288
Lab Fees	$85
Books/Supplies	$1,187
Total	$10,260

*

Fall 2025 MUS Student Health Insurance Premiums may be changing. Please check the Health Insurance website and/or Student Central for confirmed premium rates.

Many students need preliminary math, science, and writing courses before enrolling in the program requirements.  These courses may increase the total number of program credits.  Students should review their math and writing placement before planning out their full program schedules.

Students should consult with the intended receiving institution to determine whether or not additional core courses may be required to satisfy that institution’s General Education Core.

Offered Online and On Campus

I. Montana University System Core Courses- 31 Semester Hours

Communication - 6 Credits (3 written, 3 verbal)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Written
WRIT 101	College Writing I **,+	3
Verbal
COMX 111	Introduction to Public Speaking +	3
COMX 115	Introduction to Interpersonal Communication +	3

Mathematics - 3 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
M 121	College Algebra **,+	3
M 140	College Math for Healthcare **, +	3
M 151	Precalculus **,+	4
M 171	Calculus I **,+	4
M 172	Calculus II *,+	4
M 273	Multivariable Calculus *,+	4
STAT 216	Introduction to Statistics **,+	4

Humanities/Fine Arts - 6 Credits 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Humanities
BGEN 220	Business Ethics and Social Responsibility +	3
CRWR 240	Introduction Creative Writing Workshop +	3
LIT 110	Introduction to Literature +	3
LIT 270	Film and Literature **,+	3
LIT 285	Mythologies (Can only be counted for Humanities OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
LSH 201	Introduction to the Humanities +	3
PHL 101	Introduction to Philosophy +	3
NASX 240	Native American Literature (=340) ((N) Can only be counted for Humanities OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
PHL 110	Introduction to Ethics +	3
WGSS 242	Gender and Equality +	3
Fine Arts
ARTH 160	Global Visual Culture +	3
ARTZ 101	Art Fundamentals +	3
ARTZ 105	Visual Language-Drawing +	3
ARTZ 106	Visual Language -2-D Foundations +	3
ARTZ 224	Watercolor I +	3
MUSI 101	Enjoyment of Music +	3
MUSI 103	Fundamentals of Musical Creation +	3
MUSI 203	American Popular Music +	3
MUSI 207	World Music (= to 307) +	3
PHOT 154	Exploring Digital Photography +	3

Natural Science - 7 Credits (Must include 1 lab course) 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BIOB 101	Discover Biology w/ Lab +	4
BIOB 160	Principles of Living Systems w/ Lab *,+	4
BIOB 170	Principles of Biological Diversity w/ Lab *,+	4
BIOH 104	Basic Human Biology w/ Lab +	4
BIOH 108	Basic Anatomy +	4
BIOH 112	Human Form and Function I +	4
CHMY 101	Discover Chemistry **,+	3
CHMY 121	Intro to General Chem w/Lab **,+	4
CHMY 141	College Chemistry I w/Lab **,+	4
CHMY 143	College Chemistry II w/Lab *,+	4
GEO 101	Introduction to Physical Geology w/Lab +	4
NUTR 221	Basic Human Nutrition +	3
PHSX 105	Fundamentals of Physical Science w/Lab +	4
PHSX 205	College Physics I w/Lab **,+	4
PHSX 220	Physics I w/Lab **,+	4

Social Sciences/History - 6 Credits 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Social Sciences
ANTY 101	Anthropology and the Human Experience (Can only be counted for Social Sciences OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
BGEN 105	Introduction to Business +	3
CJUS 121	Introduction to Criminal Justice +	3
ECNS 201	Principles of Microeconomics +	3
ECNS 202	Principles of Macroeconomics +	3
PSCI 210	Introduction to American Government +	3
PSYX 100	Introduction to Psychology +	3
PSYX 230	Developmental Psychology +	3
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology +	3
History
HSTA 101	American History I (N) +	3
HSTA 102	American History II (N) +	3
HSTA 255	Montana History (N) +	3
HSTR 159	World History to 1500 CE +	3
HSTR 160	Modern World History +	3
NASX 105	Introduction to Native American Studies ((N) Can only be counted for History OR Cultural Diversity) +	3

Cultural Diversity - 3 Credits 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ANTY 101	Anthropology and the Human Experience (Can only be counted for Social Sciences OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
LIT 285	Mythologies (Can only be counted for Humanities OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
NASX 105	Introduction to Native American Studies ((N) Can only be counted for History OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
NASX 204	Introduction to Native American Beliefs and Philosophy (N) +	3
NASX 232	Montana Indians: Cultures, Histories, Current Issues (= to 332) (N) +	3
NASX 240	Native American Literature (=340) ((N) Can only be counted for Humanities OR Cultural Diversity) +	3
SIGN 101	Introduction to American Sign Language +	3
SPNS 101	Elementary Spanish I +	4
SPNS 102	Elementary Spanish II *,+	4

Cultural Heritage of American Indians - 3 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Courses with an "N" behind the course title will fulfill the cultural Heritage of American Indians requirement as well as a designated core area requirement. +

II. Computer Skills/Usage - 3 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select one of the following:
CAPP 131	Basic MS Office +	3
CSCI 105	Computer Fluency +	3

III. Concentration in Math and Science - 9 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Students may choose coursework numbered 100 or above from any of the following discipline areas to complete the required 9 credits of electives: +
(BIOB) (BIOH) (BIOM) Biology
(CAPP) Computer Applications
(CHMY) Chemistry
(CSCI) Computer Science/Programming
(GEO) Geology
(ITS) Information Technology Systems
(M) Math **,***
(PHSX) Physics
(STAT) Statistics **

IV. Electives - 17 credits

Total Program Credits - 60

+

A grade of C- or above is required for graduation.

*

Indicates prerequisites needed.

**

Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment.

***

Students may not choose or may not count the following courses: COMX 102, WRIT 104, MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 104, MATH 108, M 108, M 111, M 120, M 191A, M 191B, ENGL 118, ENGL 119, ENGL 120