The Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies degree requires the same general education requirements as the Bachelor’s degrees currently approved in the Ferrum College curriculum. In addition, it will require 26 hours of Exploratory or Prerequisite coursework. This will be described as “Electives in the program.” A total of 60 hours of coursework are required for the degree, with at least 25% of credits being earned through Ferrum College (no more than 75% accepted as transfer credit from other institutions). This degree is offered online and in a residential setting.
General Education Requirements
The General Education requirements are designed to provide students with a breadth of knowledge, skill, and understanding that will prepare them to perform successfully as well-informed citizens and professionals in their community, nation, and world. General Education courses also provide an enriching context for the in-depth study required in every major. All students, regardless of their major program of study, must complete the General Education requirements. Students who enter Ferrum College with an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college are exempt from the General Education requirements.
The General Education Curriculum
The General Education Curriculum is divided into two main parts: Core Competencies (first-year courses), and Exploration Areas (first year and beyond).
Core Competencies
The General Education Curriculum rests on a foundation of three “Core Competencies”: Written Communication (WC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Global and Social Responsibility (GSR). In their first year, students at Ferrum College take two WC courses (one of which is ENG 112), one QR course, and one GSR course. All Core Competency courses are offered at the 100- and 200-levels.
Exploration Areas
The bulk of the General Education Curriculum is structured around four “Exploration Areas.” Each of these areas focuses on a “big question”:
What shapes human identity?
How do we interact with different cultures and times?
How do we evaluate and solve problems?
How can we prepare for and engage in a meaningful life?
Students select a total of twenty-one credit hours from these four areas, at least three credit hours from each area. Within these twenty-one credit hours, students must take at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. Remaining courses may be selected from any available offerings.
Emphases
All Exploration Area courses carry specific emphases: reading, writing, quantitative, speaking, or experiential. Students take at least three credit hours in each emphasis during their time at Ferrum College.
Reading Emphasis – Courses with a Reading Emphasis are aimed at helping students acquire and practice critical reading skills that will help them succeed not only in college, but also after graduation. Reading Emphasis courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines, and emphasize the development of reading skills appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course. Prerequisites for Reading Emphasis courses are set at the course level, at the discretion of the program offering the course.
Writing Emphasis – In Writing Emphasis courses, students practice and build on skills that were introduced during their Written Communication Core Competency Courses. Writing Emphasis courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines, and emphasize the development of writing skills appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course. Satisfactory completion of ENG 112 is a prerequisite for all Writing Emphasis courses.
Quantitative Emphasis – In Quantitative Emphasis courses, students practice and build on skills that were introduced during their Quantitative Reasoning Core Competency Courses. Quantitative Emphasis courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines, and emphasize the development of quantitative skills appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course. Satisfactory completion of a Quantitative Reasoning Core Competency course is a prerequisite for all Quantitative Emphasis courses.
Speaking Emphasis – Courses with a Speaking Emphasis are aimed at helping students acquire and practice oral communication skills that will help them succeed not only in college, but also after graduation. Speaking Emphasis courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines, and emphasize the development of reading skills appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course. Prerequisites for Speaking Emphasis courses are set at the course level, at the discretion of the program offering the course.
Experiential Emphasis – Experiential Emphasis courses at Ferrum College encourage students and faculty to take a hands-on approach to learning, and to break the mold of the traditional classroom. These courses are taught in a variety of academic disciplines, and emphasize experiential learning appropriate to the field and subject matter of the course. Prerequisites for Experiential Emphasis courses are set at the course level, at the discretion of the program offering the course.
Electives in the Program:
26 hours of Exploratory or Prerequisite coursework are required beyond the general education requirements.
Prerequisite coursework can be chosen based on an intended course of study for a future Bachelor’s degree major/minor program combination (e.g., a specific choice of MTH course to meet future course prerequisites or courses listed as “Required Core” or “Degree Specific Requirements” in majors or minors).
Total Credits: 60 credits
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