General Studies

The Certificate of General Studies is a one-year certificate which:

Provides recognition of the completion of a body of knowledge in general education;

Serves as an intermediate step toward an Associate of Arts Degree; and/or recognizes as a “completer” a student who has successfully completed a significant number of courses in general education but does not intend to complete an Associate of Arts Degree;

Establishes a measurable means of documenting student mastery of many of the competencies identified in the SCANS report (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, 1991).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills across disciplines

• Apply life skills in areas such as teamwork, interpersonal relationships, ethics, and study habits

• Communicate clearly in written and oral formats

• Use technology appropriate for learning

• Discuss issues of a diverse global society

• Demonstrate math and/or statistical skills