The General Studies program is available in a technical or occupational specialty in an area other than a current degree program at the college. Students may receive up to 20 credits for prior work experience toward the completion of their degree.

In addition to a core set of liberal arts courses, students select a 'major', which will be comprised of a series of technical specialty courses and/or life experience credit. Further, students will select a set of related technical support courses, designed to complement their specialty courses.

Students accepted in this program must register for GA101, Assessment of Prior Learning, as one of their first courses at MCC. This one-credit course is designed to help clarify a student's career goals and how those goals will be achieved through the General Studies degree program. Additionally, students will prepare a detailed resume, a proposed checklist of courses, and appropriate proposals for consideration of credit for prior learning experiences. Final approval of the student's proposed program will be granted, and an academic advisor assigned, by the Office of Academic Affairs at the completion of the course. More detailed information about the General Studies Degree and a General Studies Information Packet can be obtained from the Office of Admissions.

Program Mission

The mission of the General Studies program is to offer a flexible curriculum tailored to the student's professional needs.

Program Goals/Objectives

This program will allow students:

• to complete a specialized degree program.
• to complement their work experiences with academic coursework.
• the opportunity to receive credit for significant prior life experience in a technical or occupational specialty.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to college-wide admissions requirements, students must participate in a personal interview with the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Employment Opportunities

Due to the nature of this degree, the vast majority of students are already employed when they are accepted into the program. In many fields, a degree is required for advancement in that field and the General Studies degree affords students that opportunity.

General Studies Degree Program

A minimum of 64 credits is required for graduation, distributed in the following manner:

• Technical Specialty Courses (20 credits)
• Related Technical Support Courses (16 credits)
• Liberal Arts Courses (30 credits)

Students shall earn a minimum of 16 credit hours at this college and eight of these credits must be 200-level courses in a student's technical specialty as approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.