Degree Requirements

College Transfer

Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Fine Arts - Drama Concentration

GTCC offers college transfer through the Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degree programs. The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for students who want to pursue a four-year degree in one of the liberal arts disciplines or training at a professional school that requires a strong liberal arts background. The Associate in Science (AS) degree is designed for students who want to pursue a four-year degree in areas of study such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, the sciences, or professional programs that require strong mathematics and science backgrounds. The Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degree is designed for students who want to pursue a four-year degree in drama.

The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) addresses the transfer of students between institutions in the North Carolina Community College System and the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. The Associate in Arts (AA) and the Associate of Science (AS) degrees shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit (SHC) of college transfer courses. Courses are approved for transfer through the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA). All Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses will transfer for general education equivalency credit. The CAA enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts or associate in science programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to transfer with junior status. Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions. Refer to the Transfer Programs  for specific transfer degree requirements. For more information about CAA, please visit http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/academic-programs/college-transferarticulation-agreements/comprehensive-articulation-agreement-caa.

The Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) between signatory institutions of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) and the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) is intended to provide smooth transfer for community college students who wish to continue their education at an NCICU institution which has signed the agreement. Information about the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement can be located at http://www.ncicu.org/who_quick.html

Career-Technical (not intended for college transfer)

Associate in Applied Science, Associate in General Education, Diploma, Certificate

Associate in Applied Science

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) programs are designed to provide entry-level employment training. AAS programs range from 64 to 76 semester hour credits. A full-time student can typically complete one of these programs within two years. In addition to major course work, Associate in Applied Science degree programs require a minimum of 15 semester hour credits of general education. General education requirements include course work in communications, humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences and natural sciences/mathematics. Certain courses in Associate in Applied Science degree programs may be accepted by a four-year college or university for transfer credit in an associated field.

Associate in General Education

The Associate in General Education (AGE) program is designed for individuals wishing to broaden their education, with emphasis on personal interest, growth, and development. The two-year AGE program provides students opportunities to study English, literature, fine arts, philosophy, social science, science and mathematics at the college level. All courses in the program are college-level courses. Many of the courses are equivalent to college transfer courses; however, the program is not principally designed for college transfer. Successful completion of 64-65 semester hour credits leads to an associate in general education degree.

General Education Course Requirements for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Associate in General Education (AGE)

Diploma

Diploma programs are designed to provide training for entry-level employment. Diploma programs range from 36 to 48 semester hour credits and can usually be completed by a full-time student within two semesters and one summer session. Associate degree level courses within a diploma program may also be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Certificate

Certificate programs are designed to provide training for entry-level employment. Certificate programs range from 12 to 18 semester hour credits and can usually be completed within one semester by a full-time student. Associate degree level courses within a certificate program may also be applied toward a diploma or an Associate in Applied Science degree.

General Education Philosophy and Outcomes

The following core academic competencies are considered essential for student success and are covered in the GTCC curriculum for all degrees. The broad purpose of a learning-centered two-year technical and community college in the culturally diverse world of the 21st century should be to prepare graduates for productive employment, university transfer, and lifelong learning through the attainment of the following skills, knowledge, and values:

Oral and Written Communication

• Demonstrate effective oral presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Employ active reading skills to analyze texts.
• Conduct appropriate print, electronic, and field research to achieve a particular purpose.
• Create logical written documents with appropriateness to intended audience, purpose, needed evidence/support materials, and organization in required formats.
• Use intellectual property ethically with attention to source citation.

Information Literacy

• Identify sources required to support a position.
• Access relevant materials/sources efficiently.
• Evaluate sources critically.

Humanities and Fine Arts

• Interpret logically content orally and/or in writing using multiple perspectives.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in a variety of settings and formats.
• Analyze cultural similarities and differences.

Behavioral and Social Sciences

• Evaluate information from multiple sources.
• Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines, to draw generalizations and evidence-based conclusions.
• Apply critical reasoning skills to real world experience/applications both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate an understanding of global diversity.

Students pursuing the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Fine Arts degree will achieve the following competencies in both Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Students pursuing the Associate in Applied Science or Associate in General Education degree will achieve the following competencies in Natural Sciences and/or Mathematics.

Natural Sciences

• Apply relevant critical thinking in articulating and solving problems.
• Communicate scientific information effectively to the appropriate audience.
• Explore new ideas and distinguish among ideas based on empirical support.
• Apply scientific approach of investigation individually and collaboratively to solve problems and scrutinize new ideas.
• Critically examine the impact of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Mathematics

• Demonstrate mathematical computation skills.
• Apply mathematics to solve applications and interpret results.
• Communicate problem solving processes and conclusions effectively using appropriate mathematical terminology.