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General Education Core Competencies
General education, as an integrated and cohesive whole, provides the educational foundation necessary to promote intellectual and personal development. Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates of Virginia’s Community Colleges will demonstrate competency in student learning outcomes (SLOs) determined and assessed by each college in the following general education areas: 1) civic engagement, 2) critical thinking, 3) professional readiness, 4) quantitative literacy, 5) scientific literacy, and 6) written communication. Collectively, these general education core competencies distinguish graduates of Virginia’s Community Colleges as individuals with a breadth of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue further education and their careers, continue to develop as learners, and contribute to the well-being of their communities. The six competencies are defined in policy (VCCS 5.0.2.1.) with aspirational statements of learning goals for graduates. Each community college will determine and assess specific learning outcomes based on the definitions and aspirational statements.
The associate degree programs within the Virginia Community College System support a collegiate experience that meets the general education requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The general education core competencies shall be included in the catalog of each college.
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Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both a social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society.
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Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.
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Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education.
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Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings.
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Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to us the scientific method, and to evaluate empirical information.
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Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms.
Table 5-1 Minimum Requirements for Associate Degrees in the VCS
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Minimum Number of
Semester Hour Credits
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General Education:
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(1)
AA
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(2)
AS
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(3)
AFA
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(4)
AAA / AAS
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Communication
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6(a)
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6(a)
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6
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3-6
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Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature
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6(c)
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6(c)
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3-9(b)
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3-6
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Social/Behavioral Sciences
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6(d)
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6(d)
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3-9
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3-6
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Natural Sciences
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4
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4-8
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4
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0-6(e)
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Mathematics
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3
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3-6
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3
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0-6(e)
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Institutional Specific General Education Courses
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5-6
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5-6
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0
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0
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Total for General Education =
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30-31
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30-38
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19-28
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15(g)
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Other Requirements for Associate Degrees:
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Student Development
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1-2
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1-2
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1-2
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1-2
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Transfer Core(f) (columns 1-3)
Career/technical courses (column 4)
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27-32
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20-32
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34-43
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43-53
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Total for Degree =
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60-63
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60-63(h)
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60-63
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60-69(h)
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Notes:
- Each of the courses in communication must be in written communication.
- One course in humanities/fine arts for the Fine Arts major must be a literature course.
- Each of the two courses cannot be from the same discipline area (e.g. humanities).
- One course in social/behavioral sciences must be a history course and the second required course cannot be history.
- A total of 3-6 semester hours is required in either natural sciences and/or mathematics for the AAA and AAS.
- Transfer core includes additional general education and/or major courses.
- As specified above, degree programs must contain a minimum of 15 semester hours of general education as defined by SACSCOC.
- See Policy 5.1.0.0.4.6 for exceptions to the total credits allowed.
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Table 5-2 Minimum Requirements for Diplomas, Certificates, and Career Studies Certificates
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Diploma
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Certificate
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Career Studies
Certificate
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Definition
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A two-year curriculum with an emphasis in a career/technical area
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A curriculum that consists of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours
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A program of study of not less than 9 nor more than 29 semester credit hours
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Course Requirements
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May include any appropriate courses numbered 10-299
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May include any appropriate courses numbered 10-299
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May include any appropriate courses numbered 10-299
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General Education Requirements
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A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of credit hour requirements shall be in general education, including 1 three-credit English course.
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A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of credit hour requirements shall be in general education, including 1 three-credit English course.
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There are no general education requirements.
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Graduation Requirements
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Policy 5.1.2
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Policy 5.1.2
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Policy 5.1.2
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Approval
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State Board for Community Colleges
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Chancellor
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Local College Board
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General Education Electives:
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