AS degree: The path to your dream career.
What is an Associate in Science?
Have big aspirations? Let us guide you to the next step. The AS degree enriches you with the core requirements needed to further pursue your field of study. You can stay local and enjoy our low tuition costs and small classroom settings.
Our dedicated faculty creates a personalized classroom setting, giving you the attention you deserve to best prepare you for your next step toward your bachelor's degree.
Our advisors will build your class schedule to complement your desired career path and have you on your way to accomplishing your dreams.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
Graduation Requirements:
- GPA 2.0
- 25% of Approved Curriculum
- Fifteen Hours at SCC
- Cultural Studies Class**
- Computer Literacy*
- FYE 100/105
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Writing/Accessing Information | 6 |
| Oral Communications | 3 |
| Heritage | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Interactions (At least two disciplines) | 6 |
| Science/ Natural Science (A science LAB must be included here or in Beyond the Core.) | 6 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 6 |
| Total | 33 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning/Science | 6 |
| Social Interaction/Science/Quantitative(Math) Reasoning/Humanities Heritage/Foreign Language/Oral Communications |
6 |
| Additional Electives | 15 |
| Total | 27 |
Total credit hours for degree: 60
*Students are advised to choose hours to satisfy pre-major requirements to which they are transferring.
*Please note: At least one course within the 45 credit hour of the General Education block must be selected from the identified Cultural Studies List.
*Graduation requirement demonstration of Computer Literacy: IC3 exam or Computer Literacy courses.
You can begin your academic work at SCC before transferring to a four-year institution. There, you can complete your degree in the following areas:
- Medicine/Pharmacy/Dentistry
- Physician Assistant
- Veterinary Medicine
- Optometry
- Chiropractic
- Biology/Wildlife Biology
- Chemistry
- Agriculture
Each student is an individual with their own target for graduation. The plan suggested here can be modified to include summer semesters to reduce the per semester course loads. Contact a biomedical or natural science advisor at SCC for assistance in beginning your journey to a four-year professional degree.
Note: Each transfer program has specific requirements that may be different from the generalized plan shown below.
Note: This curriculum is designed for students entering SCC with a Math ACT score of 27 or higher and wanting to complete all science courses before transferring to a four-year institution.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHE 170 - General College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 175 - Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| MAT 170 - Brief Calculus with Applications | 3 |
| ENG 101 - Writing 1 | 3 |
| General Education courses (1-2) | 3-6 |
| Total Credits | 13-16 |
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHE 180 - General College Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 185 - Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 150 - Principles of Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 151 - Principles of Biology Lab I | 2 |
| ENG 102 - Writing II | 3 |
| General Education courses (1-2) | 3-6 |
| Total Credits | 15-18 |
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHE 270 - Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 275 - Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| BIO 152 - Principles of Biology II | 3 |
| BIO 153 - Principles of Biology Lab II | 2 |
| PHY 201/202 - College Physics | 5 |
| General Education courses (1) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 |
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHE 280 - Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 285 - Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| PHY 203/204 - General Physics | 5 |
| General Education courses (2) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Note: To fulfill KCTCS graduation requirements, students must also take a digital literacy course. DPT 100 - Introduction to 3D Printing Technology will fulfill the requirement and is recommended. A list of other digital literacy options can be found in the KCTCS course catalog. Final class scheduling may vary depending on the chosen engineering field and transfer institution selected. Students should consult engineering advisors: Billy Dobbs, Debra House, Kathy Lewis, or Eric Wooldridge, for specific course requirements at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, or Western Kentucky University.
Semester One
- ENG 101 - Writing I
- MAT 175 - Calculus I
- CHE 170 - General College Chemistry I
- DPT 100 - Intro to 3D Printing
- EGR 101 - Engineering Exploration I
Semester Two
- ENG 102 - Writing II
- MAT 185 - Calculus II
- CHE 180 - General College Chemistry II
- PHY 231 - General University Physics I
- PHY 241 - General University Physics I Laboratory
Semester Three
- COM 181 - Basic Public Speaking
- MAT 275 - Calculus III
- PHY 232 - General University Physics II
- PHY 242 - General University Physics II Laboratory
- Heritage Course
- Social and Behavioral Science Course
Semester Four
- MAT 285 - Calculus IV/Differential Equations
- EM 221 - Statics
- Social and Behavioral Science Course
- Humanities
- CS 115 - Introduction to Computer Programming
How Do I Pay For This?
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Length of Program
You can earn an Associate in Science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
Student Success Stories
Biomedical & Natural Sciences
Dr. Rebekah Branscum practices family dentistry in Nancy, Ky. She started her path
to this career at Somerset Community College. It was an easy choice for her. “SCC
was a good transition after high-school, “ she said. “I was able to stay closer to
home, save money, and have more one-on-one time with the professors.” Acceptance into
dental school, like all professional schools, is very competitive. Dr. Branscum applied
to dental school with a strong academic record and excellent letters of recommendation
because her SCC professors had the opportunity to observe more about her than just
her test grades. Professional schools also expect applicants to have participated
in extracurricular activities and she had many opportunities to do so while a student
at SCC.
Dr. Larry Ellison graduated from Somerset Community College with an Associate in Science
degree in 2001. He says his dream of becoming a pharmacist was furthered by the unique
benefits offered at SCC. “I was worried about making the transition from a small community
college to a big university when I transferred from Somerset Community College to
the University of Kentucky. Not only was I prepared, but I was more equipped to handle
the classes than many other students because I had one-on-one attention and assistance
from my professors at SCC.” Dr. Ellison went on to graduate from UK with a Doctor
of Pharmacy degree in 2006 and has since that time been the pharmacist in charge at
Rite Aid in Somerset.
“SCC was a great stepping stone to continuing my education for a Natural Resource
Management degree. SCC prepared me for what was to come at UK.”
John Burnett is an SCC graduate and conservation biologist.
“SCC provided me with small class sizes where my professors were very accessible.
It was the smart option. By choosing SCC, I was eligible for more scholarships when
I transferred to a four-year university. I credit SCC for allowing me to graduate
with my undergraduate degree completely debt-free.”
Dr. Cherise Patterson is an SCC graduate and a local physician in Somerset, Ky.
“The classes that I took at SCC built a foundation of knowledge that really helped
me through my bachelor’s and Ph.D programs!”
Laura Peterson is an SCC graduate who started her
college career at the age of 21. After graduating from
SCC, she continued her education, ultimately in the
Ph.D. program with the Department of Physiology at
the University of Kentucky.
Pre-Engineering Track
“Somerset Community College is a great asset for small town Kentucky. It gave me a
great transition to UK for my engineering degree. I was well-prepared for the program
when I got to UK. I developed relationships with faculty and classmates that still
remain today.” —Joe Cox, Transportation Engineer (retired), Kentucky Department of
Transportation
"At SCC, the personal interaction with faculty and staff provided me with the academic
preparation I needed for UK. The support and guidance I received helped me to succeed
and enjoy a fun, exciting, and rewarding career as an electrical engineer with ExxonMobil
in Houston, Texas. I am very thankful that I started my college career at SCC and
for the positive impact they had on my life. SCC is a great place to start your career
as an engineer!" —Alesa Johnson, Chief Workforce Solutions Officer, Somerset Community
College