About Us
The AAP is your pathway to a UD degree in Dover, Georgetown and Wilmington
The University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program allows Delaware students the chance to complete their first two years of college at locations in Georgetown, Dover, and Wilmington.
The AAP offers only University of Delaware courses – the same courses taught on the Newark campus – taught exclusively by University of Delaware faculty.
The Associate in Arts degree is awarded by the University of Delaware upon completion of the required 60 credits of coursework, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Designed to be completed in two years, the non-residential program begins with a freshman seminar designed to promote academic success, along with coursework in mathematics, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and languages.
The Associate in Arts courses simultaneously fulfill the core requirements for majors leading to the bachelor’s degree. Associate in Arts students enjoy an uninterrupted transition from the associate degree program to a bachelor degree program. Most students relocate to Newark for their junior year to complete their four-year degree.
Our Locations
Parking for AAP Wilmington students is available at Colonial Parking’s 12th and Orange Street Garage. This lot is approximately three blocks from the Wilmington campus, which is located on the 8th and 9th floors of the Community Education Building (CEB) at 1200 N. French Street.
Parking and campus arrival instructions for AAP Wilmington students:
At the Colonial parking garage entrance at 1202 N. Orange St., push the button on the ticket machine and take your ticket. Bring your ticket with you to the CEB.
The parking garage pedestrian exit will place you on West 12th Street. Walk three blocks east, passing King and Market streets. The CEB is located at 1200 N. French Street, on the corner of East 12th and North French streets.
When you arrive at the 9th floor of the CEB, AAP staff will provide you with a parking voucher. You will need both the parking ticket and parking voucher to exit the parking garage.
As you exit the parking garage, first insert your ticket with the barcode facing up. Next, insert the voucher with the barcode facing up. The parking voucher will eject and the gate will rise so that you can exit. Please note that 12th Street is a one-way street, so you must turn right when exiting.
Students with any concerns about parking can contact the AAP Wilmington administrative office at (302) 571-5661.
History of AAP
Five decades ago, the Delaware legislature asked the University of Delaware to establish a program in Southern Delaware that would offer the citizens of Sussex County access to a four-year degree without having to go to Newark.
In 1966, the University and the State of Delaware established a partnership in the form of the University of Delaware Parallel Program. This program opened its doors in 1967. The Parallel Program gave students in southern Delaware the opportunity to take their first two years of college in Georgetown at a substantially reduced tuition rate, after which they could relocate to the Newark campus to complete a four-year degree.
By 1971, the Parallel Program had expanded to Wilmington, and in 1985, the program was established in Dover. The Wilmington campus expanded to offer classes at the UD Downtown Center.
In 2021, the Wilmington campus moved to the 8th and 9th floors of the Community Education Building, located in the heart of Wilmington's business district.
In 2005, the Parallel Program became the UD Associate in Arts Program (AAP). Although it is similar to the Parallel Program in many ways, the AAP provides additional key benefits and opportunities: Like the Parallel Program, the AAP offers UD courses, taught exclusively by UD faculty, in small classes at the Community Education Building in Wilmington and on campuses in Georgetown and Dover. However, students in the AAP earn an associate's degree after earning 60 credits in the core courses that are required of all UD undergrads.
The AAP continues to grow, making a quality University of Delaware education more accessible than ever to students in Kent, Sussex, and New Castle counties. The faculty and staff of the AAP are proud to continue this tradition of educational excellence for students across the state.
AAP Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
The Associate in Arts Program (AAP) prioritizes and promotes diversity and inclusion among its students, staff and faculty.
The AAP provides an important pathway to a UD college education for Delaware students. Our program offers a quality instruction at low cost to Delaware high school graduates of all racial ethnic backgrounds and income levels, as well as various levels of academic preparation and physical ability.
As a leader in implementing the guiding principles in the University of Delaware Inclusive Excellence Plan, the AAP aims to recruit and develop a diverse faculty and staff, enroll a diverse student body, create and support opportunities for transformative learning experiences through community engagement, and encourage faculty and staff participation in professional development and training. In the AAP, we believe the diversity of our student body supports academic and social growth by exposing students to a variety of perspectives and experiences in and out of class. Inclusion has been a foundational principle of our program. The AAP continues to diversify its course offerings, offer ample access to advisement, and provide new experiences for students to develop both academically and socially.
The College’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are significant parts of the University of Delaware's College of Arts and Sciences's values and goals. The college's commitment to these values is not just evident in its student body but also its faculty, staff, and curriculum, ensuring a fully inclusive experience. Through this steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusivity, the college continues to enrich its educational offering, allowing each student to benefit from a wide array of viewpoints and experiences.
