Gain a broad academic experience with a diverse range of courses across various disciplines. From humanities and social sciences to natural sciences and mathematics, this program encourages exploration and discovery, allowing students to tailor their educational experience to match their interests and aspirations. Enroll in a program that will help you meet the academic needs of QCC career programs, four-year institutions, and area employers.

Program Overview

What Will You Learn?

Associate in Arts

Students will learn skills, knowledge and perspectives as a foundation for their academic, professional and personal goals. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain technical skills related to their desired field enabling them to transfer or seek employment.

Cost

In-State Tuition: $223/credit

Out-of-State / International Tuition: $429/credit

Some programs have additional program fees

Timeline

4 Semesters

62 credits

It's not just about the classroom, it's about the community. Here at Quinsig we have parents and students--we have international students, and many different cultures. I'm not just learning from the professors in the classrooms, I learned so much from the other students. Everybody here wants to support the students.

- Hannah, QCC Alumna

Learn Online

This program may be completed 90% or more online.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Locations

  • This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
  • Some courses may be completed at QCC Southbridge.
  • This program may be completed face-to-face.

Curriculum

A foundation for success

Semester 1

This semester will cover English, humanities, and mathematics.
Become an Expert

Semester 2

This semester will explore English and multiple electives.
Communication

Semester 3

This semester will focus on communication skills and multiple electives.
Electives

Semester 4

This semester will explore multiple topics in electives.
See the full curriculum

Have more questions?

We're here to help! Reach out to the following for support.
508.853.2300

More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester  OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: GS).
  • Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in four semesters.
  • Complete ENG 101, FYE 101, and HUM 101.
  • Complete MAT 100 or MAT 121 or MAT 122.
Composition IENG 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
First Year ExperienceFYE 101F/S/SU3 
Critical Thinking and Problem SolvingHUM 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
College Algebra ORMAT 100F/S/SU3QMAT placement score > 32 or Coreq: MAT 097
Topics in Mathematics ORMAT 121College level math course or QMAT placement score > 21 or approp multiple measures placement or Coreq: MAT 051
StatisticsMAT 122College level math course or QMAT placement score > 21 or Coreq: MAT 052
Behavioral Science Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total15 

Semester 2

  • Meet with Academic Advisor to choose Electives consistent with academic and career plan.
  • If considering transfer, meet with a Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer.
  • Complete ENG 102.
Composition IIENG 102F/S/SU3ENG 101
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Elective---F/S/SU3 
History Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total15 

Semester 3

  • If considering transfer, meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process; or create an account on the QCC job board to search for internships, co-ops and jobs.
  • Confirm that MassTransfer 34-credit general education transfer block can be completed.
Speech Communication SkillsSPH 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Humanities Elective---F/S/SU3 
Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU4 
Social Science Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total16 

Semester 4

  • Continue with/complete the transfer application process; or if seeking employment, meet with Career Services for career readiness preparation and to learn more about QCC’s job board.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Humanities Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU4 
Social Science Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total16 
Total Credits Required:  62 

Program Goals:

The QCC General Studies associate degree program includes the following program goals:

  • To provide a comprehensive, responsive, directed academic experience which helps students identify educational and career choices, develop individualized career plans, and implement career pathways leading to further education or careers.
  • To meet the academic needs of QCC career programs, four-year institutions, and area employers.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Identify and explore their educational and career choices.
  • Write and speak effectively.
  • Engage in a reflective process of information discovery, articulate the value of information and its cycle of development, and participate responsibly in communities of learning.
  • Apply the concepts and methods of mathematics to solve problems.
  • Relate scientific methods of inquiry to the acquisition of knowledge.
  • Utilize computer and emerging technologies effectively.
  • Appreciate the variety of human experiences as expressed through the arts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures.
  • Assess their own ethical values and recognize ethical issues in a variety of contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the behavioral sciences.
  • Reflect on the impact of technological advances on the individual, society, and the environment.
  • Develop civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions through learning and practice.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks are not required. Fingerprinting and drug testing are not required.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 24.0102.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

The General Studies Program is unique in that it attempts to meet the academic needs of QCC career programs, four-year transfer institutions, and area employers. It has been designed to develop broad-based academic and employability skills. It provides a comprehensive, responsive, directed academic experience in which students identify educational and career choices, develop individualized career plans (CAPS), and implement career pathways leading to further education or careers. In addition, the QCC General Studies Program has articulation and transfer agreements with numerous colleges and universities. The General Studies Program allows students to tailor the selection or courses to meet the requirements of a transfer institution. It also provides students with the opportunity to tailor a program of study to meet specific professional/ career competencies.

Remember that all of the information contained on this site pertains to the most recent program requirements. Your requirements may differ because you must meet the requirements that were in effect when you entered the program. You may petition the Registrar if you wish to follow curriculum changes different from what you see in your degree audit.

Remember that in addition to the General Studies Program there are several options available in General Studies. You can find the description and the course requirements below.

Also, we have several additional links you will find useful:

Transferring to a 4-year college / University

We intend to make this website as useful as possible, please contact the General Studies Coordinator Marilyn Martin marilynm@qcc.mass.edu with ideas to improve the usefulness of this page.

Course Requirements

Course and credit requirementsNotes
English Composition & Literature I
(3 credits)		ENG 101
English Composition & Literature II 
(3 credits)		ENG 102
College Algebra or
Topics in Mathematics or
Statistics (one course – 3 credits)		In order to meet QCC graduation requirements, learner must complete MAT 100, MAT 121, MAT 122 or any college level MAT course. In order to meet the requirements of MassTransfer, learner must complete MAT 121 or higher.
Strategies for College & Career or
Self Assessment & Career Planning
(3 credits)		PSY 115 is recommended for students placing into ENG 100 or ENG 101. ORT 110 is recommended for students placing into ENG 090, ENG 091, ENG 095, ENG 096 or ESL courses. Students must complete either PSY 115 or ORT 110 prior to the completion of twenty credits in order to register for additional courses in the General Studies Program.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
(3 credits)		HUM 101
Speech Communication Skills
(3 credits)		SPH 101
History Elective
(3 credits)		HST ---
Behavioral Science Elective
(3 credits)		Behavioral Sciences involve seeking to discover general truths about human behavior. Courses with the following designations are considered Behavioral Science Electives:
Anthropology (ANT)
Psychology (PSY)
Sociology (SOC)
Program Electives 
(4 courses - 12 credits)		Program Electives are:
a. Courses with the objective of preparing students for a specific occupation or semester of occupations.
b. Courses that have been recommended based upon the student’s Academic and Career Plan.
c. Courses that meet developmental, core, or general education requirements are not program electives.
Humanities Elective
(two courses – one must be 200 level – 6 credits)		The Humanities courses present knowledge concerned with humanity and world culture: philosophy, literature, and the fine arts. These arts are distinguished from the sciences and are produced or intended primarily for beauty, not utility. Sculpture, painting, drawing, architecture, literature, drama, music, and dance are examples of such expressions. Courses with the following designations are considered Humanities Electives:
American Sign Language (ASL); Art excluding Interactive Media courses (ART); English (ENG); French (FRC); German (GER); Humanities (HUM); Music (MUS); Philosophy (PHI); Spanish (SPN); Speech (SPH)
Laboratory Science Elective
(two courses – 8 credits)		Electives that are specifically designated as Lab Science Electives require a science that includes lab, which are all 4 credit courses. Four credit courses with the following designations are considered lab science electives Biology (BIO) (excludes BIO 140); Physics (PHY); Chemistry (CHM); Science (SCI)
Social Science Elective
(two courses – 6 credits)		All the social sciences are concerned with the study of people and their behavior, both individually and as a member of groups, nations, cultures and societies. Courses with the following designations are considered Social Science Electives: Anthropology (ANT); Economics (ECO); Geography (GEO); History (HST); Political Science (PSC); Psychology (PSY); Social Science (SOS); Sociology (SOC)
Elective (two courses - 6 credits)Any college level course qualifies as an elective, and a student may enroll in any college level course for which s/he meets the prerequisites.

Learn More

Reach out to us to learn more.

508.854.4374