General Education Philosophy
General education establishes the foundation for lifelong learning to prepare students to be thoughtful, informed, global citizens. This program fosters academic excellence, interdisciplinary dialog, respect for self and others, and social responsibility.

General Education Core Courses
General education core courses differ from traditional survey courses by integrating a breadth of knowledge and skills essential to a complete education and are the foundation of knowledge upon which all degrees are built.

General Education Competencies
General education courses must meet all of the following outcomes at a primary or a secondary level. At the conclusion of the general education program of study, students should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• (Communication) Communicate (read, write,
  speak, listen) effectively using standard English.
• (Critical Thinking) Demonstrate the skills
  necessary for analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
• (Technology/Information Management): Demonstrate
  the skills and use the technology
  necessary to collect, verify, document, and
  organize information from a variety of sources.
• (Ethics and Values): Identify, describe, and apply
  responsibilities, core civic beliefs, and values
  present in a diverse society.
• (Interpersonal Skills): Apply effective techniques
  to create working relationships with others to
  achieve common goals.
• (Quantitative Reasoning): Demonstrate the ability
  to manipulate or interpret numeric information.
  Associate in Arts students must follow the general
  education guide below in planning required courses. This
  guide complies with Southern Association of Colleges and
  Schools’ (SACS) Core Requirement 2.7.3 which requires
  course distribution in humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral
  sciences, natural sciences/mathematics; Florida Statute
  1007.25(3) which requires the core curriculum to include
  subject areas of communication, mathematics, social
  sciences, humanities and natural sciences; Rules of the
  Florida State Board of Education, which requires six credits
  of mathematics and twelve credits (four courses) in which
  writing is heavily emphasized. Additionally, the mathematics
  and writing courses must be passed with a’“C” or better.

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COMMUNICATIONS: 9 Credit hours

HUMANITIES: 6 Credit hours

Writing Intensive Courses:

ENC 1101, ENC 1102, HUM 2210, HUM 2230, HUM 2510,
HUM 2930, HUM 1950, HUM 2950, WOH 1012,
WOH 1023, WOH 1030

For an AA degree, writing intensive courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. World Civilization courses which are designated as writing intensive (designated as “W” in the Schedule of Classes) satisfy the writing requirement.

MATHEMATICS: 6 Credits

Mathematics courses used to satisfy the AA mathematics requirement must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher. Pursuant to Rule 6A-10.030 (Gordon Rule), the student must successfully complete six (6) semester hours of mathematics coursework.

General Education Math Requirements

NATURAL SCIENCES: 6 credit hours

A student must complete six hours of science, including associated laboratory, in order to fulfill the Natural Science requirement. A “C” designation after the course number indicates that the lab is “combined” with the class

Note: A better foundation in science is provided by taking related science courses in sequential semesters.

COMPUTING SKILLS

All degree-seeking students must demonstrate their competence in the basic use of computers by completing ENC 1101 with a grade of "C" or better.

ELECTIVES

Be sure electives selected have an AA designation as listed in the course description section of this Catalog. Electives should be chosen with a desired baccalaureate program in mind. Students are advised to see an advisor to determine university program prerequisites. AS courses do not qualify for elective credit.

Total Elective Hours: 24

CLAST

All degree-seeking students need to satisfy the requirement of the CLAST

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Students seeking admission to the Florida State University System should have completed two years of foreign language at the high school level or two courses (eight credit hours) at the college level. Foreign language is a State University System baccalaureate graduationrequirement

HEALTH & WELLNESS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDITS

Students may elect to take up to six hours of health and wellness courses as elective credit toward graduation. Students are cautioned that such credits will transfer to Florida universities only to the degree that the individual university will accept them. Those students who are pre-majors in health and wellness or physical education subject areas may elect to take as many courses as their educational plan will permit. Students should consult with their advisor as to which classes will transfer and to which college or university.

INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY COURSES

Florida State Universities may require students to take courses that have an international or diversity focus. These are designated with an “I” after the course descriptions.

Total AA Credit Hours: 60

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