The Associates Degree Program at AIU is a custom-tailored suit of educational clothing. AIU has developed a protocol to Quantify and Qualify an individual’s professional background, as well as, their academic credentials, and grant Academic Credit to qualified students commensurate with their true level of knowledge. After initial review and evaluation, the Student’s Academic Status is defined. This definition establishes the approximate number of Academic Credit Hours the University will grant the Student toward the Student’s designated Degree Program. Development of course and curricula is a collaborative activity, between the Student and the Academic Advisor. Each Student’s Curricula is unique, and developed as a result of the mutual efforts of the Student, the Academic Staff and the Academic Advisor. To fulfill the requirements of the Degree Program as established by the Academic Committee, the Student performs research, (using the Internet or other Approved Resources), to investigate and select courses from at least 2, AIU Approved colleges or universities, offering the same discipline at the Associates level, as the Student’s designated Degree Program.

The Student will select courses based upon the Student’s need to acquire the knowledge and Master the objectives defined, in the course descriptions and objectives, as itemized in the Course Catalogs of such Approved Institutions. The Student will be the initial arbiter of the courses selected. The culmination of the course selection process is the class session with the Academic Advisor. During this class, the Student’s Courses and Curricula will be established, and approved. Associates Programs are available in many disciplines, and demonstrate the Student’s ability to perform work in the selected field of study. The capstone of the Program is the Associates Thesis, an original work which showcases the Candidate’s mastery of the selected discipline, produces significant insights and findings based on original thought and research, and contributes to the advancement of thought and knowledge on a universal scale.

Studies leading to the Associates degree are designed to give the candidate thorough and comprehensive knowledge of his or her professional field, as well as training in research methods. The criteria for granting the degree shall be the candidate’s comprehension of the subject matter and a demonstrated ability to perform independent research. In addition, the candidate must have the ability to express thoughts clearly, both verbally and in written form.