Associate of Applied Science General Education

Twenty (20) credit hours of coursework provide fundamental knowledge and skills in general education. General education has become an integral component of occupational education.

General education values emphasize the abilities to think critically

General education is increasingly important in an informational society which is being integrated with a more interdisciplinary world. General education values emphasize the abilities to think critically, reason, compute, communicate, and make connections between work, technology, and our common cultural heritage. These skills and knowledge are essential for workers, professionals, and managers to remain productive, competitive, and able to cope with the knowledge explosion and rapid innovations in technology.

General Education includes human development

General education also includes human development in civic, consumer, environmental, and social responsibilities. The twenty credit hours of general education coursework in this degree program will be considered complete for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution. Students must meet specific program admission and prerequisite requirements as indicated in the individual degree program.

General Education prepares students for employment

Although the Associate of Applied Science Degree programs are designed primarily to prepare students for employment and are not intended for transfer, they should no longer be considered terminal degrees for many students. Since students can expect to make several career changes during their lifetimes, they should be aware of articulation agreements and potential transferability of courses, especially in the general education core.

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AAS Degree General Education Requirements (2008-09)

A. Foundation Studies: complete 1, 2, 3, and 4 (13 credits)

1. Complete option 1, 2, or 3 (6 credits)
   • Option 1- complete 6 credits in Group A
   • Option 2- complete 3 credits in Group A and 3 credits in Group B
   • Option 3- complete 6 credits in Group C (if you are planning to transfer, you must complete Option 3)
   • Group A (writing):
     BSA 105 Business English (3)
     ENG 136 Technical Writing (3)
     CRW 139 Creative Writing (3)
     JRN 150 Newswriting and Reporting (3)
   • Group B (communication):
     BSA 233 Business Communication (3)
     COM 100 Introduction to Human Communication (3)
     COM 131 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3)
     COM 134 Interpersonal Communication (3)
     COM 135 Workplace Communication Skills
   • Group C:
     ENG 101 or 103 College Composition I (3)
     ENG 102 or 104 College Composition II (3)
2. Numeracy (3 credits): any math course 100-level or higher (if you are planning to transfer, you must complete MAT 152)
3. Workplace Readiness (1 credit): select one course from the General Education course list
4. Critical Thinking (3 credits): select one course from the General Education course list

B. Area Studies: complete 1 & 2 (7 credits)

1. Physical & Biological Sciences (4 credits): select one course from the General Education course list
2. Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): select one course from the General Education course list

AAS Major Requirements, Related Requirements, Electives

Each AAS degree includes 44 -52 credits as specified in the individual degree program.