GSCC offers programs leading to three degrees and two certificates, the requirements for which are listed below.
The requirements for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree and for the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, are designed for students planning to transfer to a senior institution to complete a program of study in the liberal arts area, in the sciences, or in a specialized pre-professional field.
Area of Coursework / Semester Hours Required
Area I: Written Composition I and II: 6
Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts: 12**
- Must complete a minimum of 3 semester hours in Literature.*
- Must complete 3 semester hours in the Fine Arts.
- The remaining hours are to be selected from Humanities or Fine Arts; 3 semester hours can be in Speech.
- Student must complete a two-course sequence in EITHER Literature OR History.
Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 11
- Must complete 3 semester hours in Mathematics at the precalculus algebra or finite math level.
- Must complete 8 semester hours in the Natural Sciences, which must include laboratory experiences.
In addition to mathematics, disciplines in the natural sciences include the following: astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, physical geography, earth science, physics, and physical science.
Area IV: History, Social and Behavioral Sciences: 12**
- Must complete a minimum of 3 semester hours in History.*
- Must complete at least 6 semester hours from among other disciplines in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Social and Behavioral Sciences include but are not limited to the following: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology.
- Student must complete a two-course sequence in EITHER Literature OR History.
Area V: Pre-Professional, Pre-Major and Elective Courses*: 19-23**
- Courses appropriate to the degree requirements and major of the individual student. Students completing courses that have been approved for the General Studies Curriculum and are appropriate to their majors and/or degree programs may transfer these courses with credit applicable to their degree programs among the Alabama public two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 60-64
*NOTICE: The sequence in Area II and IV in literature or history needs to follow the sequence requirements according to the student’s major and transfer plans. These requirements are outlined in the "Programs of Study” section of this catalog, for a total of 60-64 semester hours, or 50% of the total required by the college or university to which the student plans to transfer.
**ENGINEERING EXCEPTIONS/A.S. DEGREE: For all engineering majors, the AGSC voted to allow the hour requirements in Area II to be reduced 12 SH to 9 SH and in Area IV to be reduced from 12 SH to 9 SH. This reduction allowed for additional hours (6 semester hours) to be added to Area V for engineering majors so that required mathematics and science courses could be taken prior to transfer that would meet national engineering accreditation standards (ABET). The ACCS has adopted this exception. Engineering students may take 9 hours in Area II, 9 hours in Area IV, and 25 to 29 in Area V.
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree are designed for students planning to specialize in technical, business, semi-professional, and supervisory fields that are career-oriented. Portions of this degree may, in selected fields, transfer to a senior institution.
Area of Coursework / Semester Hours Required
Area I: Written Composition I and II: 3-6
Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts: 3-6
- Areas I and II must include a minimum of 6 semester hours.
- Must complete 3 semester hours in Humanities or Fine Arts.*
Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 6-11
- Must complete a minimum of 3 semester hours in Mathematics (100 level or numerically higher).
- In addition to Mathematics, disciplines in the Natural Sciences include astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and physical science.
Area IV: History, Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3-6
- In addition to history, the social and behavioral sciences include the following: anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology. Any student seeking the A.A.S. as a terminal award is not required to complete more than three semester hours in this area.
Area V: Maximum General Education Core, Technical Concentration and Electives**: 31-61
In addition to courses in the preceding four areas, the student must take whatever core and/or elective courses that are appropriate to the requirements for the degree or for the occupational or technical specialty that the student is pursuing.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 60-76
*Humanities and Fine Arts disciplines include but are not limited to the following: Literature, Ethnic Studies, Art and Art History, Foreign Languages, Music and Music History, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, Theater, and Dance.
**If the student is planning a program of study for which the A.A.S. degree does not represent the terminal degree and for which national or regional programmatic licensure and certification are required, the student should try to integrate General Studies transfer courses into his/her program whenever possible.
The certificate is designed for students seeking a specialized set of skills for employment or professional advancement.
Area of Coursework / Semester Hours Required
Area I: Written Composition: 3-6
- ENG 100 may be substituted for English Composition I and II only in system-wide non-degree eligible programs.
Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts: 0-6
Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 3-7
- A minimum of one mathematics course which may have a discipline specific prefix other than MAH or MTH or the integration of mathematics proficiencies within a required discipline-specific course(s).
- Mathematics and computer courses may be substituted only in system wide, non-degree eligible programs.
Area IV: Social and Behavioral Sciences and History: 0
Area V: Maximum General Education Core, Technical Concentration and Electives*: 11-54
*In addition to the courses referred to in the preceding four areas, the student must take those courses appropriate to the certificate requirements and to the occupational or technical specialty requirements, as well as core courses and elective courses.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 30-60
The short-term certificate is designed to equip the student with a focused set of skills for an entry-level position in business or industry.
Area of Coursework / Semester Hours Required
Area I: Written Composition: 0-3
- It is recommended that the student take at least one technical writing course.
Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts: 0
Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 0-3
Area IV: Social and Behavioral Sciences and History: 0
Area V: Maximum General Education Core, Technical Concentration, and Electives*: 9-29
*In addition to any courses referred to in the preceding four areas, the student must take those courses appropriate to the certificate requirements and to the occupational or technical specialty requirements, as well as core courses and elective courses.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 9 - 29
Visit Degrees and Certificates for a listing of all degree and certificate programs offered at Gadsden State.