General Studies

Associate in General Studies Degree (A.G.S.) Guidelines

The Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) degree, while not intended for transfer or directed at a specific occupation, allows students to design their own two-year program. It provides an opportunity to complete an associate degree of one’s own making. This degree has minimal general education requirements and thus allows one considerable freedom in designing and pursuing a course of study that meets individualized learning goals. Note, however, this degree is not recommended as a stepping-stone toward a baccalaureate degree, nor is it covered by the College’s Educational Guarantee. A student considering the Associate in General Studies degree should meet with an advisor to determine whether this degree is well suited to his/her educational goals and needs.

A.G.S. Degree Requirements

A student will be recommended for an Associate in General Studies degree upon completion of the following requirements:

Successfully completing at least 15 semester hours of credit at Prairie State College (excluding proficiency credits).
Completed 62 semester hours of college credit, 20 of which are specified below.
Attained a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Completed at least one course in each of the major General Education components (communication, humanities and fine arts, science and mathematics and the social sciences).
Completed the remaining 47 credit hours for the degree based on the student’s area of interest, and including any baccalaureate or occupationally oriented courses offered by the College and numbered 100 or higher.

Curriculum Requirements: 20 credits

Select 20 credits from Areas A, B, C, and D with at least one course selected from each area.

Area A: Communication (3 credit minimum)

Select at least ONE course from:
ENG 101, 102 (must have a grade of C or better in English)
COMM 101

Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (3 credit minimum)

Select at least ONE course from:
ART 121, 122, 126, 129, 131
COMM 113, 114
ENG 211, 212, 215, 221, 231, 232, 240,243, 252, 256, 261, 262, 271
HIST 240
HUMAN 101, 102, 201, 202, 203
MUSIC 130, 132
PHILO 101, 202, 203, 204, 205
SPAN 202
THTRE 101

Area C: Mathematics and Science (3 credit minimum)

Select at least ONE course from:
ASTRO 101 (was 150), 104 (was 200)
BIOL 100, 103, 105, 106, 107, 111, 112
BUS 240
CHEM 105, 110
GEOG 105
GEOLO 101 (was 210)
MATH 112, 115, 153, 155, 157, 171, 172, 173, 206, 210
PHYSC 111, 112
PHYSI 101, 105, 120, 210
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both BIOL 100 and BIOL 112 or CHEM 105 and CHEM 110

Area D: Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credit minimum)

Select at least ONE course from:
ANTHR 215, 222
ECON 201, 202
GEOG 101
HIST 111, 112, 115, 116, 140, 151, 152, 201, 202
POLSC 101, 140, 152, 230, 240
PSYCH 101, 102, 215
SOCIO 101, 111, 210, 215, 220

Area E: Additional Required Courses

Select additional courses from Areas A, B, C, and D until a total of at least 20 credits have been completed from Areas A-D.

Area F: Additional Required Courses (42 credit minimum)

Select 42 semester hours of additional elective courses. Any Prairie State College credit courses may be used in this area.

Please Note:
1. Courses numbered below 100 level or of a developmental or remedial nature will NOT be accepted in this degree.
2. Community education courses cannot be used to satisfy the requirements in this degree.