General Studies, AA, Lake Campus (GNRLSTDS-AA)

CIP Code: 309999

Program Description

The Associate of Arts in General Studies a two-year program that includes 36 credits of general education courses in communication, mathematics, arts/humanities, social science, and natural science (Wright State Core) that “provide you with the breadth of skills, knowledge, and understanding expected of university graduates.” The remaining 24 credits are courses that typically comprise the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree. These courses are more specialized and allow you to explore a particular area of interest in some depth.

The Associate of Arts in General Studies is a flexible and practical program that can result in a standalone degree or an intermediate credential en route to a Bachelor’s degree. Students in this program should work closely with an academic advisor to outline a course of study based on course and/or program availability.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University - Lake Campus. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Foundational skills needed for academic discourse, research, and documentation in an electronic environment.
To find, evaluate, and use information effectively and responsibly.
Foundational knowledge in a specific discipline or area of interest.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Demonstrate effective communication.
Demonstrate information literacy.
Apply foundational knowledge in a specific discipline or area of interest.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course
For the General Studies, AA students only: two Integrated Writing (IW) courses in the core.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. General Electives: 24 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours for an associate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 60 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 60 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Total: 60 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a two-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State associate programs can be completed in two years with careful planning. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.

General Studies, AA, Lake Campus (GPS)