The general studies degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university as more specialized academic interests and aptitudes develop during the program of studies. The flexible framework of academic standards for the associate of arts and sciences degree makes this possible.
Program Information and Curriculum
General Studies Degree, AS
Program Description: No declaration of a specialized major subject field in the general studies curriculum is required. The general studies curriculum is flexible. Some graduates satisfy their goals by completing the two-year program of general academic studies. Most general studies students plan to transfer to a four-year college or university as more specialized academic interests and aptitudes develop during the program of studies. The framework of academic standards for the associate of sciences degree makes this possible.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Communicate effectively in oral form.
- Communicate effectively in written form.
- Recognize when information is needed and locate, evaluate, and use information effectively.
- Use empirical evidence and the scientific method to understand natural phenomena.
- Use quantitative reasoning, including numerical and geometric concepts, to draw logical conclusions.
- Below is the recommended course sequence for full-time students.
- Courses are listed by the semester they are usually offered.
- Course availability in a given semester may vary.
- You can change the order or number of classes each semester, but taking fewer classes in a semester will mean more semesters to finish the program.
- Students who complete this degree will also complete and be awarded the .
- Please discuss your plan including elective selection with your advisor to ensure it meets your academic goals.
Fall Semester
- SDV 100 - College Success Skills
- ENG 111 - College Composition I
- Math elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
- CST 100 - Principles of Public Speaking
- ITE 152 - Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications OR
- CSC 110 - Principles of Computer Science
Spring Semester
- ENG 112 - College Composition II
- Arts or Humanities elective selected from the lists below 3 cr. 1
- Math or Expanded Social and Behavioral Science elective selected from the lists below 3-5 cr.
- History elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- Social and Behavioral Science elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
Fall Semester
- Natural Science elective selected from the list below 4 cr.
- Literature elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- Expanded Social and Behavioral Science elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
Spring Semester
- Natural Science elective selected from the list below 4 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
- Approved Transfer elective selected from the list below 3-5 cr.
Program Total: 60 Credits
1 Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree are advised that a Philosophy course is recommended.
It is highly recommended that students consult with their academic advisor to select the most appropriate course for their curriculum and/or transferability to another college.
Arts Electives
History Electives
Humanities Electives
- HUM 201 - Early Humanities
- HUM 202 - Modern Humanities
- HUM 216 - Introduction to Non-Western Cultures
- HUM 256 - Comparative Mythology
- HUM 259 - The Greek and Roman Tradition
- PHI 100 - Introduction to Philosophy
- PHI 111 - Logic
- PHI 220 - Ethics and Society
- REL 100 - Introduction to the Study of Religion
- REL 230 - Religions of the World
Literature Electives
Math Electives
Natural Science Electives
- BIO 101 - General Biology I
- BIO 102 - General Biology II
- CHM 101 - Introductory Chemistry
- CHM 111 - General Chemistry I
- CHM 112 - General Chemistry II
- ENV 121 - Foundations of Environmental Science
- ENV 122 - Applications in Environmental Science
- GOL 105 - Physical Geology
- GOL 106 - Historical Geology
- PHY 100 - Elements of Physics
- PHY 201 - General College Physics I
- PHY 202 - General College Physics II
- PHY 241 - University Physics I
- PHY 242 - University Physics II
Social and Behavioral Science Electives
- ECO 150 - Economic Essentials: Theory and Application
- ECO 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECO 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
- GEO 210 - People & the Land: Introduction to Cultural Geography
- GEO 220 - World Regional Geography
- PLS 135 - U.S. Government and Politics
- PLS 241 - Introduction to International Relations
- PSY 200 - Principles of Psychology
- SOC 200 - Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 268 - Social Problems
Expanded Social and Behavioral Science Electives
- ECO 150 - Economic Essentials: Theory and Application
- ECO 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECO 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
- GEO 210 - People & the Land: Introduction to Cultural Geography
- GEO 220 - World Regional Geography
- PLS 135 - U.S. Government and Politics
- PLS 241 - Introduction to International Relations
- PSY 200 - Principles of Psychology
- PSY 215 - Psychopathology
- PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology
- SOC 200 - Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 266 - Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 268 - Social Problems
Approved Transfer Electives
- ACC 211 - Principles of Accounting I
- ACC 212 - Principles of Accounting II
- ADJ 100 - Survey of Criminal Justice
- ADJ 105 - The Juvenile Justice System
- ADJ 107 - Survey of Criminology
- ADJ 140 - Introduction to Corrections
- ADJ 164 - Case Studies in Murder/Violent Crime
- ADJ 171 - Forensic Science I
- ADJ 172 - Forensic Science II
- ADJ 228 - Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
- ADJ 236 - Principles of Criminal Investigation
- ADJ 278 - Firearms and Tool - Mark Identification
- ART (all courses)
- BIO (all courses)
- BUS 100 - Introduction to Business
- BUS 240 - Introduction to Business Law
- BUS 270 - Interpersonal Dynamics
- BUS 280 - Introduction to International Business
- CHM (all courses)
- CSC (all courses)
- CST (all courses)
- ECO (all courses)
- EDU (all courses)
- ENG (all courses)
- ENV (all courses)
- Foreign Language (ASL, ARA, CHI, FRE, GER, LAT, RUS, SPA) (all courses)
- GEO (all courses)
- GOL (all courses
- HIM 111 - Medical Terminology I
- HIM 112 - Medical Terminology II
- HIS (all courses)
- HLT (all courses)
- HMS (all courses)
- HUM (all courses)
- ITE 120 - Principles of Information Systems
- ITE 152 - Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications
- MTH (all courses 154 and higher)
- MUS (all courses)
- PED (all courses)
- PHI (all courses)
- PHY (all courses)
- PLS 135 - U.S. Government and Politics
- PLS 241 - Introduction to International Relations
- PSY (all courses)
- REL (all courses)
- RPK (all courses)
- SOC (all courses)
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Tuition and Funding Options
Tuition rates for this program are approximately one-third the cost of attending a four-year college or university in Virginia. Compare savings now!
An estimated $15.2 million dollars in grants, loans, work-study and scholarships are awarded to Laurel Ridge Community College students each year. We are committed to using all available funds to help you gain access to a college education.
Payment plans are offered to break down tuition payments.
View all financial aid, payment options, and more HERE.
Transfer Statement
The associate of arts and sciences (AA&S) and associate of science (AS) degrees are designed to provide freshman and sophomore level course work toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. These programs require students to take essentially the same courses as required by their four-year college or university counterparts.
To help facilitate the transfer process, Laurel Ridge has created a Transfer webpage that provides detailed information such as tuition, GPA, application requirements, course equivalents, and other information that may be useful in the transfer process.
The Virginia Community College System also offers a Transfer Planning Tool through the Virginia Education Wizard.
Laurel Ridge offers many services and programs to assist transfer students. Students are encouraged to seek the assistance of an advisor to gain additional information to plan a successful transfer experience.
Have a Question?
Do you have a specific question about this program or how to get started at Laurel Ridge? Please use the form below and a member of our staff will respond as soon as possible.
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