Associate of Arts in General Studies

Explore new fields, test perspectives, and gain practical experience in interest areas.

The Associate of Arts in General Studies degree, offered both on campus and through LC Online, provides a foundation of critical, creative, and reflective thinking that emphasizes the ability to communicate effectively within a variety of groups and contexts and focuses on self-insight and self-advocacy. This program is intended for those who are college capable but unsure of their precise interest.

The A.A. in General Studies includes the completion of the Landmark College general education program, plus elective choices focused on an area of interest. Each student will choose an area of concentration to explore potential interests. An internship in this area of interest is strongly recommended.

The program culminates with the production of a portfolio that represents the student's work and learning to date and an essay that helps them to define their career and/or college aspirations. These assessments will help students navigate their next steps toward employment or further education.

Learn more about the A.A. in General Studies Degree

A concentration focuses on an area of interest that a student wishes to explore. A concentration could include prerequisite coursework that articulates with a Landmark College bachelor’s degree.

A completed concentration is noted on a student’s degree transcript and serves as further demonstration of a student’s intellectual persistence and dedication to a particular academic discipline. Details can be found on the A.A./A.S. Concentrations webpage.

Landmark College offers ten concentrations administered by academic departments within the schools as listed below.

  • Business Concentration (Department of Professional Studies)
  • Career Competency Concentration (Department of Core Education)
  • Communication Concentration (Department of Professional Studies)
  • Computer Science Concentration (Department of STEM)
  • Creative Writing Concentration (Department of Core Education)
  • Education Concentration (Department of Core Education)
  • Humanities Concentration (Department of Liberal Studies)
  • Integrated Arts Concentration  (Department of Liberal Studies)
  • Psychology Concentration (Department of Liberal Studies)
  • Science Concentration (Department of STEM)

To earn the A.A. in General Studies degree, students must complete 60 credits:

  • 18 credits of major required courses
  • 31 credits of general education courses
  • 11 credits of general electives

Major Requirements (18 credits)

  • EDU2061 Education & Identity 
  • Concentration Requirement: 15 credits

General Education Requirements

  • WRT1011 Composition and Rhetoric OR WRT1008 Writing Process & Practice Part 2
  • WRT1012 Research and Analysis
  • EDU1011 Perspectives in Learning
  • COM1011 Intro to Communication OR COM1021 Interpersonal Comm OR COM1071 Public Speaking
  • Mathematics distribution elective (as indicated through placement exam)
  • Humanities distribution elective
  • Natural Science with lab distribution elective
  • Social Science distribution elective
  • Quantitative Reasoning distribution elective
  • Creativity distribution elective

General Electives (11 credits)

60 Total Credits

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree, students will be able to

  • Apply flexible and strategic critical inquiry practices to evaluate complex issues.
  • Use a variety of frameworks to interpret ethical, cultural, or social problems or questions.
  • Engage in research using a strategic inquiry process that makes effective and ethical use of relevant information.
  • Apply oral and written modes of communication that inquire, reflect, inform, analyze, or persuade.
  • Interpret quantitative and/or qualitative data to support claims and arguments.
  • Engage in learning activities that promote self-reflection and self-direction.

Questions about Associate of Arts in General Studies?

Katie Roquemore
Chair, Core Education Department
802-387-7105
[email protected]

Jill Hinckley
Dean of School of Education, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
802-387-6825
[email protected]

Interested in this associates degree program?