Please note that the College is closed December 21, 2024 through January 5, 2025. Offices will reopen on January 6th at 8:30AM.

  • Home
  • Academics
  • Arts and Sciences
  • General Studies AS

    • General Studies AS

    Explore your career options while building a strong foundation of skills.

    Our General Studies Degree Program is a great starting point for students. Whether they’re just beginning or continuing their education, this program offers students opportunities to explore different careers through various courses. This gives students a solid educational foundation and the ability to discover their specific interests.

    With a general associate’s degree, you can fulfill many entry-level careers upon graduation, or continue your education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field of your choice. The general studies curriculum is grounded in humanities – focusing on the respect, value, dignity, and diversity of all people. Our goal is to provide a compassionate education rooted in service to others.

    This program is 60 credits and allows students the freedom to explore interests with 30 free elective credits. Courses are offered days, evenings, weekends, and online – allowing every student plenty of options to complete their degree.

    • Program Learning Outcomes

      By their completion of the Associate in Science Degree in General Studies Program, students will be able to:

      • Demonstrate the skill of problem solving, use scientific reasoning, perform specific calculations, and/or apply logical organizational skills.
      • Critically analyze written and oral material.
      • Demonstrate basic knowledge of human needs, values, ethical decision-making frameworks, and diverse cultures.
      • Speak and write technically correct English in order to express oneself with clarity and purpose.
      • Access a variety of information resources (e.g. computer, library, databases), evaluate the quality of the information, and effectively use the information.
    • Course Overview

      The General Studies student must successfully complete 60 credits as follows:

      12 credits to fulfill the College requirement of three credits in RES 201, Foundations in Social Justice, and an additional three credits in Philosophy or Religious Studies, and six credits in English, consisting of English 111, Composition I, and ENG 211, Critical Inquiry and Writing.

      18 credits of a liberal arts and sciences core in areas of:

      • Humanities (English, non-studio Art and Music, etc.);
      • Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.);
      • Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Economics, etc.);
      • Religious Studies/Philosophy

      30 credits of free electives.

    Maria Stories
    Ya D Na, General Studies

    Ya D Na, a General Studies student at Maria College, talks about her journey coming to Albany from a refugee camp in Thailand, and how she found Maria College.

    ©2024 Maria College