General Studies, Associate of Arts (A.A.)
The Associate of Arts in General Studies degree provides students, especially adult learners, the opportunity to pursue a flexible degree program to meet their unique interests, career goals, and academic needs. Reflecting EKU’s commitment to a liberal arts education, the degree allows students to concentrate in an area of interest while selecting from a wide variety of courses to meet personal, educational, or career goals. This degree is designed for students for whom this will be their first college degree and who wish to advance in their careers, change careers, pursue a lifelong interest beyond their careers, or use the degree as a pathway to a baccalaureate degree. Students who are admitted as “Special Admittance/Conditional Admittance” (see page 10 of the Catalog), will be initially admitted into the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree program.
Opportunities
The Associate of Arts in General Studies degree has become more attractive with the growth of business and industry in the area and with the increase of minimum educational requirements for employment or promotion. In addition to those students wishing to enhance their employability, other students will find the program offers numerous opportunities to seek a degree for their own personal satisfaction. The degree allows students to gain confidence in their abilities by earning a degree at the associate level prior to enrolling in a baccalaureate program. The associate degree also provides opportunities for students who wish to consolidate previously earned credits to complete their first degree.
Serving students from a varied background of college readiness, this degree provides students a defined path to success in earning one or more degrees. Upon successful completion of EKU’s Associate of Arts in General Studies degree, the student will have met all General Education requirements, which will apply toward a four-year program at EKU or any other regional Kentucky institution.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 24.0102
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Standard General Education program (Elements 1-6 inclusive, per Section Four of this Catalog) | ||
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| GSD 101 | Foundations of Learning (waived for transfers with 30+ hours, not including AP and Dual Credit hours) | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| Courses are within an individual College and exclusive of general education requirements. One of the concentrations below may be used to fulfill this requirement. | 12 | |
| Optional Departmental Concentration | ||
| Students may select a concentration of interest. Students with a declared departmental concentration will be advised by faculty of that department and will be officially affiliated with that department. The Associate of Arts in General Studies concentration will be reflected on the student's transcript. | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 0-15 | |
Anthropology | ||
Applied Engineering and Technology | ||
Broadcasting and Electronic Media | ||
Communication Studies | ||
Computer Networking Systems | ||
Education | ||
Electricity and Electronics | ||
English | ||
Geographic Information Systems | ||
Geography | ||
Geology | ||
History | ||
Homeland Security | ||
Informatics | ||
Mathematical Sciences | ||
Military Studies | ||
Physics and Engineering | ||
Political Science | ||
Pre‑Business | ||
Psychology | ||
Security Operations | ||
Sociology | ||
Veterans Studies | ||
| Exit Requirements | ||
| GSD 250 | Exit Requirement AGS | 0 |
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from nine hours of free electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60-75 | |
(Precise degree requirements will vary based upon concentration selected and student’s specific orientation course needs.)
Major Requirements
- Students should refer to their Degree Works audit for General Education course selections.
- Students should consult with an advisor to choose an appropriate General Education math course.
- AA in General Studies students must earn a institutional GPA of 2.0 on all work earned at EKU, as well as an overall GPA of 2.0 on combined transfer and EKU graded coursework.
- AA in General Studies students must complete at least 15 semester hours at EKU.
- AA in General Studies students must complete an approved 12-hour emphasis with an overall 2.0 GPA within an individual college beyond the General Education requirement.
The Associate of Arts in General Studies is intended to be a first degree and is not appropriate for a secondary degree. Students who declare the AA in General Studies should pursue that program as their primary degree and apply for graduation as soon as they approach completion of its requirements. Students seeking only an associate degree may not declare a minor.
Optional A.A. in General Studies Concentrations
The following concentrations are available in the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree program:
Anthropology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 120 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANT 200 | Archaeology and Human Cultures | 3 |
| ANT 201 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| One upper-division ANT course (300 or above) | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Applied Engineering and Technology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEM 201 | Metallic Material Processes | 3 |
| EET 251 | Electricity and Electronics | 3 |
| AEM 195 | Computer Aided Drafting | 3 |
| TEC 161 | Computer Applications in Technology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Broadcasting and Electronic Media Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BEM 295 | Video Production I | 4 |
| Choose from two of the following: | 6 | |
| Information Gathering | ||
| Introduction to Media Writing | ||
| Advanced Reporting | ||
| The Art and Craft of Screenwriting | ||
| Choose from two hours of the following: | 2 | |
| Applied Learning in Broadcasting (1 hour) | ||
| Electronic Video Practicum (1 hour) | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Communication Studies Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CMS 200 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CMS 205W | 3 | |
| CMS 210 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CMS 215 | Business and Professional Presentations | |
| CMS 250 | 3 | |
| or CMS 275 | Communication Skills for Professionals | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Computer Networking Systems Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NET 302 | PC Troubleshooting & Construction | 3 |
| NET 303 | LANs & PC Communications | 3 |
| NET 354 | Microcomputer & Network Security | 3 |
| Choose from three hours of NET coursework | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDF 203 | Educational Foundations | 3 |
| EDF 204 | Emerging Instructional Technologies | 2 |
| EDF 205 | Creative Learning and Teaching | 3 |
| SED 104 | Special Education Introduction | 3 |
| Total Hours | 11 | |
Students planning to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program after completing the AGS degree should also enroll in CMS 100 Introduction to Human Communication or CMS 210 Public Speaking, BIO 102 Inquiry Biology for Teachers or PHY 102 Inquiry Physics for MS Teachers, and HIS 202 .
Students should confer with a College of Education Advisor to determine the required math course for each specific program.
Electricity and Electronics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EET 251 | Electricity and Electronics | 3 |
| EET 252 | Digital Electronics | 3 |
| EET 257 | Electronic Devices and Circuits | 3 |
| EET 253 | 3 | |
| or EET 351 | Programmable Logic Controllers | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
English Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 301 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| ENG 302 | Principles of Literary Study | 3 |
| Choose from six hours of ENG courses 1 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
ENG 210 Enjoying Literature, ENG 211 Survey of World Literature I, and ENG 212 Survey of World Literature II may count toward the concentration but will not count toward the B.A. English degree major requirements.
Geographic Information Systems Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 110 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| or GEO 210 | Introduction to Physical Geography | |
| GEO 353 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Choose from six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| Geoscience Data and Techniques | ||
| Advanced GIS | ||
| GIS Cartography | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced Geographic Imagery | ||
| Advanced Geography:___ | ||
| Field Methods | ||
| Process Geomorphology | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Geography Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEO 100 | Regions and Nations of the World | 3 |
| GEO 110 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| or GEO 210 | Introduction to Physical Geography | |
| Choose from six hours of GEO electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Geology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from two of the following: | 6 | |
| The Ocean World | ||
| Gold and Diamonds | ||
| Earthquakes and Volcanoes | ||
| Great Moments in Earth History | ||
| Earth Science | ||
| Dinosaurs | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography | ||
| Choose from two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Introduction to Geochemistry | ||
| Environmental Geoscience | ||
| Mineralogy | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Process Geomorphology | ||
| Sedimentary Geology | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Total Hours | 12-14 | |
History Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIS 102 | American Civilization to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS 103 | American Civilization Since 1877 | 3 |
| Choose from six additional hours of HIS courses 1 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Of those 6 additional hours at least 3 must be in a course listed in Area II (Europe) or Area III (Non-Western). HIS 290 Historical Research and Methods and HIS 450W may not count toward the concentration.
Homeland Security Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HLS 101 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLS 210 | Cyber and Physical Security | 3 |
| HLS 260 | Disaster Preparedness & Response | 3 |
| HLS 301 | Critical Infrastructure Protection | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Students planning to later enroll in the B.S. Homeland Security should take as part of their General Education courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EES 250 | Basic Social Intelligence Skills (Element 1C) | 3 |
| STA 215 | Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2) | 3 |
| GEO 210 | Introduction to Physical Geography (Element 4) | 3 |
| HIS 203 | (Element 5A) | |
| POL 100 | Principles of Politics and Government (Element 5B) | 3 |
| or POL 101 | Introduction to American Government | |
Informatics Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INF 104 | Computer Literacy with Software Applications | 3 |
| or CIS 212 | ||
| INF 307 | Cyberspace Security and Ethics | 3 |
| INF 314 | MS Office & Data Analysis | 3 |
| INF 318 | Mobile Device Security & Privacy | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Completion of this concentration also fulfills requirements for the Certificate in Informatics. Students must formally declare their intention to earn the certificate before it can be awarded.
Mathematical Sciences Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 234 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 244 | Calculus II | 4 |
| STA 270 | Applied Statistics | 4 |
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Web Programming | ||
| Introduction to Visual Basic | ||
| Object- Oriented Programming I | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
A minimum grade of “C” is required of all courses counted toward the concentration.
Military Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from 12 hours of a combination of the following: 1 | 12 | |
MSL courses | ||
Military services (ACE) credit | ||
PHE 190 | ||
| Terrorism/ Counterterrorism | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
At least 3 of the 12 hours must be earned in residence at EKU.
Physics and Engineering Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 234 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHY 201 | University Physics I | 5 |
| PHY 202 | University Physics II | 5 |
| Total Hours | 14 | |
Students should note that each has prerequisites.
Political Science Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POL 100 | Principles of Politics and Government | 3 |
| POL 101 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| POL 212 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL 220 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Pre-Business Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 200 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Nature of Business | 3 |
| CIS 212 | 3 | |
| or BUS 206 | Fundamentals of Problem Solving with Excel | |
| Choose 3 hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Business Law and Ethics | ||
| Fund of Interpersonal Bus Comm | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Entrepreneurship | ||
| Legal and Ethical Environments of Business | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
A minimum grade of “C” is required of all courses counted toward the concentration.
Psychology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 200 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 | 3 | |
| Choose from six hours of PSY courses 1 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Excluding PSY 349 Applied Learning in Psychology, PSY 402 Independent Work in Psychology, and PSY 403 ). PSY 280 Lifespan Developmental Psychology may count toward the concentration but will not count toward the B.S. Psychology degree major requirements.
A minimum grade of “C” is required of all courses counted toward the concentration.
Security Operations Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HLS 210 | Cyber and Physical Security | 3 |
| HLS 310 | Personnel Security | 3 |
| HLS 320 | Security Management | 3 |
| HLS 350 | Workplace Investigations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Students planning to later enroll in the B.S. Homeland Security should take as part of their General Education courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EES 250 | Basic Social Intelligence Skills (Element 1C) | 3 |
| STA 215 | Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2) | 3 |
| GEO 210 | Introduction to Physical Geography (Element 4) | 3 |
| HIS 203 | (Element 5A) | |
| POL 100 | Principles of Politics and Government (Element 5B) | 3 |
| or POL 101 | Introduction to American Government | |
Sociology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 131 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 232 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 235 | 3 | |
| One upper-division SOC course (300 or above) | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
These courses will count toward the B.A. Sociology degree major requirements.
Veterans Studies Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| VTS 200 | Intro to Veterans Studies (Gen. Ed. E-6) (must be taken before beginning elective studies) | 3 |
| Choose from at least three of the following: | 9 | |
| Marriage and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Family Stress and Resilience | ||
| War & Peace in Lit Since 1900 | ||
| American Military History | ||
| Terrorism/ Counterterrorism | ||
POL 320 | ||
| Terrorism and Political Violence | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Addictions | ||
| Gender Perspectives on Contemporary Terrorism | ||
| Special Topics:___ | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |