General Studies

General StudiesThe General Studies Department services a large population of students who are headed in different directions academically. To accommodate the various transfer needs of these students, the department has several program options. In each option there are courses listed which will assist the students to complete the requirements necessary for the General Studies Transfer degree or another on campus program of choice.

There is a very flexible curriculum leading to the transfer degree. This curriculum includes requirements which will transfer as liberal arts courses at four-year colleges. Because of the number of general electives included in the curriculum, students may enroll in additional courses of choice from the humanities, social sciences, math, and sciences departments. An additional benefit of the general elective courses is that courses from other schools on campus (Business and Information Technologies, Engineering Technologies, Health Sciences, and Nursing) will count toward the degree and will transfer under the Commonwealth Transfer Compact agreement we have with the four-year state colleges and the University of Massachusetts.

Since many General Studies students are seeking acceptance into other on campus degree programs, the department offers several other preparatory curriculum options. These options allow students to complete course prerequisites necessary to gain acceptance into their on-campus department of choice. One of the options is the Bilingual program which helps students develop their English language skills. All options, which have been updated to reflect students' priorities, are listed below with designated codes.

In addition, the department advises students who are undecided about specific academic or career direction. Professional advisors or faculty advisors assist students with their course schedules while suggesting other resources on campus to assist them to explore future educational endeavors.

General Studies Progam Goals

The General Studies Program will produce graduates who:

  1. May transfer courses as equivalents of prerequisites for junior and senior level courses in their majors at the senior institution.
  2. May transfer to senior institutions with most general education requirements for the senior institutions completed, or
  3. May transfer to other programs with most general education requirements completed.
  4. May transition to workplace situations with associate-degree status.
  5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  6. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills.
  7. Demonstrate modern research methods.
  8. Demonstrate computer literacy.

The General Studies cores reflect these student priorities, offering curriculum and support services in program options as follows:

  • LTGS.AA -Transfer Option: for the student electing one of the degree or transfer programs
    • Commonwealth Transfer Compact Option
    • University Without Walls Option
  • HTHC.GS -Pre-Health Option: for the student contemplating application to a program in the fields of Health Sciences or Nursing
  • ENGC.GS - Pre-Engineering/Science Transfer Option: for the student planning to major in the Science Transfer Option or to prepare for the Engineering Transfer program of the College
  • BLNG.GS - Bilingual Program: for students who need to develop English language skills, an intensive and accelerated curriculum in English As a Second Language, as well as transitional courses in mathematics and biology, with related counseling and support services
  • UNDC.NM - Non-Matriculating Option: for students not currently seeking acceptance into a program

Assessment and Placement Testing

Both transfer and career programs require effective reading comprehension and English skills as well as a foundation in mathematics and science. Therefore, course assignments in these areas are based on the student's performance in a series of placement examinations taken after acceptance, but prior to scheduling and registration. Placement tests in mathematics, English, vocabulary development and reading comprehension are required of all entering students. It must be noted that, as prerequisites for college-level work, some courses may be required that are not acceptable toward the General Studies degree. Listed below are the developmental courses available which may be required as prerequisites for college-level work.

  • ERDG- 081, 084, 087 Effective Reading for Bilinguals
  • ERDG-091, 092 Reading Level 1, 2
  • DWRT-099 Review for College Writing
  • EESL-080, 083, 086 English as a Second Language I, II, III
  • ECNV-082 Basic English Conversational Skills I (Bilingual)
  • ECNV-085 Basic English Conversational Skills II (Bilingual)
  • EWRT-088, 093 Basic Writing Skills for Bilinguals
  • ARTH-071-073, 078 Basic Arithmetic
  • ALGB-081-083, 087 Elementary Algebra
  • ALGB-091-093, 097 Intermediate Algebra
  • BIOL-090 Basic Science II: Introduction to Biology

Academic Advising and Counseling

General Studies advising staff and faculty advisors assist students in making academic decisions, pursuing program objectives, completing graduation requirements, or intra-college transfers to a career program. Students should refer questions to their assigned advisor.

General Studies Program Information Booklet

Published yearly, this booklet summarizes pertinent information about school procedures, and serves as the student's personal record of courses completed toward a degree or intra-college transfer.