How do I get an Associate's Degree in General Studies?

To get an associate’s degree in general studies, you must enroll in a college or university offering the degree program. Admission into an associate’s degree program usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent. For a general studies degree, you are typically required to complete courses in the arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics and science, as well as a series of electives. The associate’s degree in general studies prepares you for a four-year college or university.

An associate’s degree in general studies will give you a basic academic foundation in a variety of subjects. Most general studies degree programs require that you spend an equal amount of time studying courses from a variety of departments. The intent is to strengthen your knowledge in numerous subjects and expose you to topics that might ignite interest in you for further study.

The required curriculum in an associate’s degree in general studies program will vary from college to college. Generally, you are required to demonstrate competency in math, reading, writing and, in some cases, computer literacy. Some colleges allow you to take exams that enable you to test out of basic level academic courses.

In order to expose you to a variety of subjects, a general studies program will typically offer a wide range of subjects. Choices in the sciences will generally include subjects such as biology, physics, chemistry and other sciences. Classes in a foreign language are often a requirement, allowing you to gain basic knowledge of a specific language. Other courses such as philosophy, sociology, psychology, and history are typical offerings. You will generally be required to take elective credits, which allow you more flexibility in exploring topics of interest.

Successful completion of an associate’s degree in general studies requires regular attendance of classes and completion of all homework and exams. Colleges typically require that you stay above a minimum cumulative grade point average. Some programs allow or require you to repeat a class if a passing grade was not achieved.

An associate’s degree in general studies prepares you for a four-year university. If your goal is to apply credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree, you might want to research various programs in advance. Some programs limit the number of credits that may be transferred from other colleges. Thinking ahead will help you to make the most of your completed coursework. Some universities that accept your associate’s degree in general studies will admit you into a bachelor’s degree program as a third-year student.