General Education
Students must complete a minimum of 62 credit hours for the following degrees: A.S., A.F.A. or A.G.S. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours for the A.A. degree. Some Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees may require less than 62 semester hours (see Career Programs section for specific A.A.S. degree program requirements). The required hours are taken from the following 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 29 to 38 credit hours; for career students (A.A.S.), the core comprises at least 15 credit hours depending on the program of study. For general studies students (A.G.S.), general education contains at least 21 credit hours. 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. The General Education Core Curriculum at Moraine Valley is described in the Transfer Programs section of this catalog.