General Studies

What exactly is General Studies?

The General Studies degree curriculum is designed to keep options open while fulfilling the requirements of an associates degree. It is a broadly based degree program designed for students who plan to pursue an Associate in Arts degree before transferring to a four-year college and/or university. It allows students to complete general education requirements and explore various disciplines which may assist them in determining a program major in preparation for transfer to a four-year college/university.

Note: Traditional students seeking to enter the workforce for the first time and students looking to transfer to a baccalaureate program in a major otherwise available at Garrett College are not encouraged to pursue the General Studies program. Students seeking to transfer to a liberal arts institution for programs such as English, History, Philosophy, Languages, and Pre-Law should follow the Liberal Arts concentration. Students seeking to transfer to Pre-Med, Pre-Veterinarian, Pre-Pharmacy, and other pre-professional programs related to health and science should follow the Math & Science concentration.

General Studies Degrees Awarded

Garrett College awards an Associate in Arts (A.A.) to graduates of the General Studies program.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate information literacy skills in order to locate, evaluate and effectively use needed information.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to make connections that create meaning between themselves and their audience, and that they are able to speak, read, write, and listen effectively.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in clear and critical analysis of situations, events, issues, ideas, and text by fusing experience, reason, and training into considered judgment.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific literacy and quantitative reasoning skills including the use of appropriate scientific, mathematical or statistical models in interpreting quantifiable phenomena and the use of scientific, mathematical or statistical symbols, techniques, and logic in solving problems of a quantifiable nature.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to use and apply electronic media for research, communication, and practical application including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of global issues and an appreciation for diversity and cultural dynamics as seen through different disciplines.

Program Benefits

Starting the first semester at Garrett College, students who choose this option are encouraged to work with an academic advisor to develop a plan for completing the degree and identify electives to best meet the specific requirements of transfer institutions. The large number of open electives enables students to tailor their program to their individual needs and interests.

Career Goals

Garrett's General Studies program is designed to cater to students who are undecided on a career field or simply want to focus on completing general educational requirements so they can focus more as they progress along their educational journey. Career goals are endless for students in General Studies, and the focus is more on forward educational momentum than the end state.

General Studies A.A. Degree

Total Credit Hours Required 60

^G GER Courses must be on the Approved General Education Course list.