General Studies in Liberal Arts
Program Description:
The Associate of Arts in General Studies is designed as the equivalent of the first half of a Baccalaureate degree. However, students should be aware that this degree plan may not satisfy the requirements of a specific transfer university. Students should consult with an advisor or counselor to determine an appropriate course of study based on their chosen field of study and their preferred transfer institution.
The student must make a minimum grade of C in all Core Curriculum courses and have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. Note that at least 25% of the credit hours applied towards the degree must have been taken at Austin Community College.
To satisfy Core Curriculum requirements, a course must be in the appropriate component area of the Core Curriculum at ACC or the institution at which it was taken.
A course may be used only once to fulfill degree requirements. Certain courses with significant curricular overlap may not both be applied towards the degree, as described in the catalog course descriptions.
General Studies in Liberal Arts Award Plan Requirements:
| Subject Area | Required Courses | Required Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Mathematics | 1 | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences | 2 | 6 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture | 1 | 3 |
| Creative Arts | 1 | 3 |
| American History | 2 | 6 |
| Government/Political Science | 2 | 6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 1 | 3 |
| Component Area Option | 2 | 6 |
| Additional Requirements | Any 18 hours of college level Arts and Science courses |
18 |
| Total | 60 |
Transfer Information:
The Associate of Arts in General Studies provides a transfer pathway to a 4-year institution where students can earn a bachelor’s degree. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination by the time they have completed 24 semester credit hours.
The General Studies degree plan covers the core curriculum; students can use this as the foundation for an array of 4-year degrees suited to their interests. Students in this program are encouraged to obtain information about the course requirements for at least two possible major from their desired 4-year institution and choose appropriate courses.
ACC’s transfer website provides information on additional colleges & universities, students are encouraged to consult with a faculty advisor, area of study advisor, and/or their chosen transfer institution to ensure courses taken at ACC will apply toward their bachelor’s degree program.
Transfer Guides:
The universities listed here do not constitute an ACC endorsement.
Transfer course evaluations and determination of what courses will count toward a bachelor’s degree are made by the receiving transfer institution.
Career Information:
General Studies program graduates may find they have an advantage over their peers, particularly in the field of business. The General Studies broader educational background is helpful where crucial, hard-to-teach skills like critical thinking, deep analysis, and reasoned judgment are needed.
Careers in management, administration, and communication are perfect for a big-picture, adaptable learner. With the varied courses you take in many disciplines, the general studies program provides a unique opportunity to address many needs of organizations across industries, including government, healthcare, business, finance, and many more.
ACC’s Career Services website provides information on career exploration and employment. Students are encouraged to consult with their area of study advisor for additional career assistance.
Career and labor market research tools
Disclaimer:
The above information is provided as a guide and reference tool for occupations related to this program. This is not a guarantee of job placement in any of these occupations after successful completion of an ACC program. The common job titles listed are representative titles and are provided for career research. These are not the only occupations possible in this area of study.