Mar 28, 2024  
College Catalog 2017-2018 
    
College Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies (A.A.)


If you would like the opportunity to better understand your career options, you may be interested in earning a transfer-oriented associate in arts (A.A.) degree in liberal arts through Onondaga’s General Studies program.

Although some General Studies students prepare for a specific occupation, others select this program in order to meet the Liberal Arts/General Education requirements for a variety of programs at many four-year colleges and universities. You will specifically complete the 30 credits of SUNY General Education. You can choose elective courses along with your required courses in order to structure an individualized specialization or complete one of the SUNY Seamless Transfer Pathways.

By choosing from a list of courses each semester, you can individualize your education in order to achieve a balance between developing known interests and exploring new subject areas. At the same time, you will study liberal arts courses such as English composition and literature, history, social sciences, humanities, communication and science. You will be encouraged to investigate a diversity of vocational options to provide yourself with a knowledgeable basis for future commitments. The key objectives of the program are to provide you with an introduction to career education through a sequence of interrelated courses during the freshman year, and to advise and assist you in accomplishing these goals through supportive seminar classes with General Studies faculty.

Through the completion of degree requirements and with careful advisement in selecting electives, you may be able to complete a minor in a specific area of study.

After completing your associate in arts degree requirements at Onondaga Community College, you may choose to transfer to a four-year upper-division college or university to earn a baccalaureate degree, or you may choose to secure employment directly upon graduating. Our graduates may secure placement in private industries and businesses, public service, or government agencies at federal, state and local levels. Regardless of the goals you decide to pursue, the broad background provided through General Studies offers the rewards and opportunities of a diversified education.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate how information is used to make decisions about career interests and options.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to adjust and succeed in life.
  3. Demonstrate critical thinking by comparing, contrasting and drawing meaningful conclusions.

First Semester


Total Credits: 15


Second Semester


Total Credits: 16


Third Semester


  • SUNY Gen. Ed. Elective (The Arts, Foreign Language, or Other World Civilizations) Credits: 3 2
  • Social Science Elective (SUNY Gen. Ed. Social Sciences) Credits: 3
  • English Elective (Above ENG 104 ) Credits: 3
  • Liberal Arts Elective Credits: 3
  • General Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Fourth Semester


  • SUNY Gen. Ed. Elective Credits: (3) 3
  • Liberal Arts Electives Credits: (6)
  • General Electives Credits: (5)

Total Credits: 14


Total Program Credits: 60


Notes:


1. Students who score a 95 or above on the reading placement test will be waived from the RDG requirement and will instead need to complete a three-credit general elective.

2. SUNY Gen. Ed. The Arts courses must be Art/Music History or Appreciation courses.

3. SUNY Gen. Ed. elective must be a Liberal Arts designated course.