Future Students

Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies

The Associate of Arts Degree at The Ohio State University at Lima is a two-year liberal arts degree that gets students started on an exciting relationship with learning that will last a lifetime. In two short years, students can receive an Ohio State degree and the pride and opportunities that come with being a Buckeye.

Beginning in January 2026, the Ohio State University at Lima will also offer a new online Associate of Arts that reinforces Ohio State’s land-grant mission by expanding access to high-quality, affordable education that supports both student success and economic growth. The program begins with two concentrations -- general studies and social sciences – with additional career-focused concentrations planned.

Associate of Arts in General Studies: https://online.osu.edu/associate-degree/associate-of-arts-general-studies/

Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences: https://online.osu.edu/associate-degree/associate-of-arts-social-and-behavioral-sciences/

An Associate of Arts Degree can be the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree or a stand-alone degree. This program is designed for students who are interested in additional education after high school, but don’t want to commit to a four-year degree program as well as for those who want a solid educational foundation but aren’t sure of all their options. Others may be undecided about a major but would still like to start college. Students in this program take coursework that will count toward all majors or degree programs so when they finally decide on a career path, they have already fulfilled much of the required coursework. This is not a terminal degree like some technical-based associate’s degrees; all of the credits apply directly toward a baccalaureate degree at Ohio State.

Requirements

  • Earn at least 60 semester hours of University credit.
  • Earn math placement level R or credit for Math 1075 and above.
  • Earn 33 credit hours selected from the General Education approved course lists, as outlined below (adhering to a minimum and maximum hour distribution in each area), with no overlap between areas. (Note: an indication of 3 hours means only one course from that area can count in the core.) Course work graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count in the core (20 hours may count in electives). In addition to the General Education core, a minimum of 27 hours of further course work is required for the AA degree. This can be any course work approved by the university as degree hours.
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 on all OSU course work.
  • Earn 20 of the last 30 credit hours through regular course enrollment at OSU.
  • Complete at least 15 of the required 60 credit hours on a regional campus.
  • Complete a minimum of three credit hours at OSU during Summer 1980 or thereafter.
  • Submit transcripts from other universities or colleges if student is a returning or transfer student.
  • File an application for the degree within four years of completing the Associate of Arts requirements. The AA degree will not be awarded to anyone who has received a baccalaureate, a graduate, or a professional degree from an accredited institution. 

Curriculum

Core Requirements

Writing and Information Literacy……3-6 semester hours 

Remedial courses do not qualify (English 040, 050, 051, 052, 053, 060, 100.01, 100.02, 109.01, 109.02, and 1109; 

Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning or Data Analysis…… 3-6 semester hours 

Remedial courses do not qualify (Mathematics 040, 050, 075, 076, 100, 102, 103, 1050, and 1075) 

Natural Science…… 4-8 semester hours 

Social Science…… 3-6 semester hours 

Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts…… 3 semester hours 

Historical and Cultural Studies…… 3 semester hours 

Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity…… 3 semester hours 

Thematic Pathways…… 0-12 semester hours 

Courses in this area are not required but can count if additional hours are needed to reach the 33 minimum for the core. Select courses from the approved course lists. 

World Language…… 0-12 semester hours 

Courses in this area are not required but can count if additional hours are needed to reach the 33 minimum for the core. 

Electives 

27 additional semester hours

For more information about the Associate of Arts Degree, please contact the Ohio State Lima Advising Office at 567-242-7510.