General Education
The requirements for an associate’s degree (A.A., A.S., A.F.A., or A.A.S.) consist of a minimum of 62 credit hours taken from three components: (1) general education core, (2) additional degree requirements, and (3) courses taken in the major/minor field and electives. Course work in the general education core:
- assumes there are some commonalities expected of an “educated person” in terms of what he or she knows and is able to do.
- provides students with the ability to realize their potential as educated, responsible, and productive lifelong learners in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
- consists of a core of intellectual, aesthetic and cultural experiences that will introduce students to essential knowledge, skills and values, and encourage them to make connections across disciplines.
For transfer students (A.A., A.S., A.F.A.), the general education core ranges from 37 to 45 credit hours; for career students (A.A.S.), the core comprises at least 15 credit hours depending on the program of study. Presently, transfer students who complete their A.A., A.S., or A.F.A degree will fulfill most, if not all, of the general education core requirements expected for the baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university.
Moraine Valley has a standard general education requirement, distributed into the five traditional divisions of knowledge:
- Communication
- Mathematics
- Life and Physical Sciences
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
The specific courses in each division will vary with the student’s degree or program, and the type of courses will change occasionally. The student may wish to contact the Academic Advising Center to determine the exact requirements in effect.
While accurate information and advising assistance is always available regarding the general education core requirements, the major responsibility of getting a purposeful general education rests upon each individual student. Thus, students should also familiarize themselves with the General Education Goals and Objectives in the next section that identify the traits of a generally educated person. By understanding these goals and objectives, students can begin to make informed selections of course work.