The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution of higher education to complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Del Mar College offers AA degrees in areas related to business, arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Discover Your Pathway to Job or Transfer Readiness
Del Mar College offers over 100 degree and certificate options within its eight Pathways. Whether you want to graduate job-ready or complete a degree designed for transfer to a university, Del Mar College has the program to help you meet your goals.
Need help choosing a pathway? Use Career Coach to assess your strengths and interests!
Career and Technical degrees and certificates are designed for students intending to enter the workforce immediately after completing the program. Earn a degree or certificate in a career in a top field and graduate job ready!
University Transfer degrees are designed for students intending to complete two years and then transfer to a four-year university. It is highly recommended to take advantage of the many benefits of receiving your associate degree at Del Mar College prior to transferring to a four-year institution. Decide which four-year school you plan to attend right away and see your advisor to develop a plan.
A list of degrees and their descriptions can be found at the bottom of this page.
Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs provides educational opportunities for students to get work ready and career ready to meet the workforce demands in our community. We offer comprehensive courses and programs to assist students with workforce and career development, opportunities to learn and enhance their skills, and supporting economic development initiatives in the Coastal Bend with a work ready workforce. Our variety of career training programs, for high–demand occupations, prepare the student for immediate employment and are offered with the student’s convenience in mind with day, evening, and online options.
The Architecture, Aviation, and Automotive pathway is designed for students interested in architecture, construction trades, aviation technology, and automotive technology. This pathway will prepare you for careers in air conditioning, automotive specialization, diesel systems, diesel/heavy equipment, collision/refinishing autobody, architectural design, visual technology, aviation maintenance, aviation composites, building maintenance, computer aided drafting and pipe drafting and design.
The Business Administration and Entrepreneurship pathway is designed for students interested in business administration, accounting, general/hospitality management, cosmetology, and culinary arts. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as an accountant, supervisor, chef, business owner or cosmetologist.
The Communication, Fine Arts & Social Sciences pathway is designed for students interested in communication, languages, music, art, drama, history, political science, philosophy, psychology and sociology.
The Health Sciences pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as allied health, dental and imaging technology, and nurse education. This pathway will prepare you for careers in nursing, dental, and hospital settings.
The Industrial Technology pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as environmental lab technology, industrial machining applied technology, non-destructive testing, process technology, and welding. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as a certified Machinist, Millwright, Process Technology Operator, Welder, Instrumentation Technician, Non-Destructive Testing Technician, and an Environmental/Petrochemical Lab Technician. All have certifications or an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
The Kinesiology and Education pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as kinesiology, personal training, child development, and teaching. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as coaching, public school paraprofessional (teacher aide), fitness instructors, entry level work in the recreation field, child care teacher/teacher assistant/or director, family day home provider, Latchkey worker, camp counselor, VISTA volunteer, and public/private school teacher.
The Public Service pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as criminal justice, law enforcement, fire science, EMT, human services, court reporting, paralegal studies, and occupational health and safety. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as Police Officer, Corrections Officer, Firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, Paralegal, Court Reporter, OSHT/Safety Technician, Child Protective Services and Human Services professionals.
The STEM pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as the sciences, computer science and information technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Associate of Arts Degree (AA)
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Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (AAT)
The Associate in Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. Each of the three AAT specializations is designed to prepare teachers for the various certifications offered in Texas. The degree plan best suited to the desired certification should be followed and transferred to a university to complete Texas teacher certification requirements.
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Associate of Science Degree (AS)
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution of higher education to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Del Mar College offers AS degrees in areas related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)
The Associated in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed to prepare students interested in career training. Del Mar College offers AAS degrees in areas related to business, health care, industry and public safety.
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Enhanced Skills Certificate
An Enhanced Skills Certificate has been developed for certain occupational programs and provide further specialization to enhance employment and promotion opportunities. These options are offered either concurrently or following the associate degree program.
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Certificate of Achievement
A Certificate of Achievement is designed for students who do not plan to complete a college degree but want to learn a marketable skill and secure immediate employment. Typically, these take one year to complete and can be used as the first step to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
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Advanced Technical Certificate
An Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) has a defined associate or baccalaureate degree as a prerequisite. The ATC is designed to meet industry or external agency requirements.
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Occupational Skills Award
An Occupational Skills Award (OSA) consists of 9-14 semester credit hours and makes you eligible for immediate employment or adds to your marketability to employers.
