12 months to a degree? Done.
Earn your two-year degree in just 12 months with South Piedmont’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 you will complete all your general education requirements all while studying in a small, close-knit learning community. When you graduate, you’ll be guaranteed admission to our growling list of transfer partners.
Get Your Associate Degree in One Year!
We’re now accepting applications for classes starting in August 2025. Don’t miss your opportunity to get your two-year degree in just 12 months.
Application Deadline: 6/1/2025
Associate in Arts in a Year Benefits
The Associate in Arts in a Year is a learning experience like no other offered at South Piedmont. 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’m taking a moment for Tiffany. I’m 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.”
Richard Baker, Associate in Arts in a Year graduate
Preparation for Workforce, University
Prepare for What Comes Next
“The 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.”
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 can be done in person, online, or in a hybrid format. You can balance your responsibilities 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: “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
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 person and online, allowing you to choose how you attend each day.
Classes are either two or five weeks long.
Students take no more than two 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’ll 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 aleady have an associate degree or higher. If you completed some college coursework, but didn’t 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 South Piedmont.
- Apply to South Piedmont.Select “AA” as your program of study.
- Submit your official high school and previous college transcripts.
- Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Submit a 250-word essay explaining how an accelerated degree would help you achieve your educational and career goals. Submit 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.