Award: Associate of Arts Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Dean Tony Wohlers, 443-412-2361, twohlers@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.

Program Description

The General Studies program permits students to pursue a structured program that allows them to achieve a balance between depth of knowledge acquired through specialization in a twelve-credit concentration in a single field of knowledge and breadth of knowledge gained through exploration of various disciplines.

The degree program allows students to tailor their studies for specific requirements for selected transfer institutions. In addition, the degree program provides students an opportunity to prepare for a profession or a career.

The degree program consists of four major components:

1. Twelve (12) Credit Discipline: 12 credits must be taken in a single discipline. A discipline is indicated in the Catalog by the prefix to the course number, e.g., PSY or ENG.
2. General Education Core Requirements: 34 credits must be taken in courses in written and oral communication, mathematics, science, history, humanities, and health.
3. Graduation requirements: 3 credits of diversity and 1 credit of physical education.
4. General Electives: 19 credits of general electives must be taken to complete the requirements and further explore areas of academic and personal interest.

Program Goals

Upon successful completion of this program of study students will be able to:

1. Read, comprehend, and communicate analytically and critically.
2. Apply the scientific method to gather and analyze data.
3. Apply reasoning, creativity, estimation, and/or computational skills to solve problems.
4. Locate and evaluate information.
5. Apply knowledge and skills to become an informed global citizen.
6. Pursue occupational and/or transfer goals related to the twelve credit concentration.

Diversity Requirement

To satisfy the diversity requirement: Associate degree students must complete one 3-credit diversity course (D). It is recommended that students select one of the 3-credit (GB), (GAH), (GI) course electives from those that also appear on the approved list of diversity course graduation requirements.

Degree Requirements

Recommended Course Sequence

¹

ENG 101 English Composition (GE) and physical education elective will not count toward the 12-credit concentration.

²

A four credit course in Mathematics (GM) may be substituted.

³

Students must choose a course with one of the general education identifiers: (GB)(GH)(GS)(GL)(GI)(GM)

⁴

As advised for transfer or goals.

⁵

A four credit Biological/Physical Science Lab (GL) may be substituted.

Recommended Procedure

1. Students should meet with an advisor during their first semester to outline a program, which will meet their goals.
2. Students cannot graduate with a General Studies Undecided major. Students need to declare General Studies or another major by the time they have accumulated 24 credits.
3. To change a major, students need to fill out a Change in Academic Intent form.
4. At the completion of 28 credits, any student who wishes to develop a concentration of study that differs from the 12-credit discipline format should consult with an academic advisor. Students must fill out an Exception to Discipline Concentration Form through the Academic Advising Office.
5. Any request for an exception to the 12-credit discipline must be made prior to the semester in which the student plans to graduate.

General Education Degree Requirements

Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:

Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)