The Associate in Arts General Studies Degree is appropriate for students whose primary goal is to earn a two-year college degree. It may be suitable for you if you wish to apply credit by challenge, independent study, CLEP, professional/technical, or military programs to courses not included in the University and College Transfer Degree.

This degree is not designed to be a transfer degree. It is strongly recommended that students taking the AA General Studies degree and desiring to transfer to a four-year college or university seek the assistance of an advisor to plan an appropriate course of study.

This entire degree can be completed online.

Purpose

The Associate in Arts General Studies Degree is appropriate for students whose primary goal is to earn a two-year college degree. It may be suitable for you if you wish to apply credit by challenge, independent study, CLEP, professional/technical, or military programs to courses not included in the University and College Transfer Degree.

This degree is not designed to be a transfer degree. It is strongly recommended that students taking the AA General Studies degree and desiring to transfer to a four-year college or university seek the assistance of an advisor to plan an appropriate course of study.

Degree Requirements

This degree requires a total of 90 credits in courses numbered 100 level or above. At least 25 quarter credits must be earned at Skagit Valley College with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Credits must satisfy requirements listed below.

1. Communication Skills (11-15 cr.)

• English 101 (5 cr.)
• Academic English as a Second Language 105 (5 cr.)
• Communication Studies 210, 220, or 230 (5 cr.)
• English, Communication Studies, or Media Communications course (3-5 cr.)

2. Physical Education (3 cr.)

At least two courses must be activities.

3. Natural World (15 cr.)

Select no more than 10 credits from one area, including Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Envi-ronmental Conservation 202 or 245, Geology, Mathematics, Natural Science, Nutrition, Oceanography, and Physics.

4. Culture (15 cr.)

Select no more than 10 credits from one department, including Anthropology, Business Administration, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science and Sociology.

5. Arts (15 cr.)

Select no more than 10 credits from one department including Art, Communication Studies 205 and 141, Drama, English, Ethnic Studies 100, World Languages, Humanities, Music, and Philosophy.

6. Electives (27-31 cr.)

In order to accumulate 90 college-level (100 or higher) credits for the degree, you will need elective credits. You may select electives from the distribution list in the Natural World, Arts or Culture, or other academic courses or a maximum of 45 credits from “gray areas”. Professional/technical credits, credits by examination, independent study, PE activity credits beyond two credits, military credits, DANTES, CLEP, Advanced Placement exams and seminars, workshops are examples of “gray area” credits. Consult your academic advisor or credit evaluator.