Program Description

The Associate of General Studies degree (AGS) is a progressive and innovative degree program designed as the foundation to many bachelor’s degree programs at the University. Attainment of the degree indicates proficiency in the broad range of knowledge and skills which are foundational to continued postsecondary education. Graduates of this degree will have developed broad competencies through a series of foundation courses comprising the University general education curriculum which is the basis of this degree, as well as the basis of the bachelor’s degree.

Graduates will have satisfied the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) to facilitate transfer students who begin their program at LSSU, but wish to complete academic programs at other Michigan Universities in disciplines not available at LSSU. Finally, graduates will also demonstrate appropriate depth of knowledge through additional courses in a selected academic concentration suitable for continued study leading to a bachelor’s degree.

Completion of educational milestones is known to correlate strongly to student success and achievement of long-term educational goals. Examples of milestones include completion of one year of college-level credits, completing the general education requirements and earning a certificate or degree. The Associate of General Studies is confirmation of the graduate’s achievements in the first two years of university, preparing the individual for immediate employment through broad exposure to the liberal arts and sciences, and building toward the bachelor’s degree for those who seek to continue their education.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Formal Communication: Students will be able to clearly express ideas relevant to their chosen studies in written and oral presentations.
• Use of Evidence: Students will be able to gather and process evidence to answer questions or solve problems within the content of their chosen studies.
• Analysis and Synthesis: Students will be able to synthesize evidence, ideas, or works of imagination to answer questions or create an appropriate end-product within their chosen studies.
• Professional Responsibility: Students will be able to apply ethical concepts and intercultural awareness when answering questions, solving problems, or completing assigned tasks related to their chosen studies.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements. Complete the Bachelors degree General Education Requirements.

Concentration: Complete at least 20 credits in a defined academic concentration. Concentrations must include at least 10 credits in LSSU courses. A minimum of a C or higher is required in each course.

Academic Concentrations

• Behavioral Sciences – Courses with SOCY, PSYC and SOWK prefixes
• Business – Courses with ACTG, BUSN, ECON, FINC, INTB, MGMT and MRKT prefixes
• Communication – Courses with COMM prefixes
• Computational Sciences – Courses with MATH and CSCI prefixes
• Education – Courses with CHLD, EDUC and EDSE prefixes
• Emergency Services – Courses with CJUS, FIRE and EMED prefixes
• Engineering – Courses with EGEE, EGET, EGME, EGEM, EGMT, EGNR and EGRS prefixes
• Fine Art – Courses with ARTS, DANC, FINE, MUSC and THEA prefixes
• Health Assoc – Courses with EMED, HLTH, KINS, NURS, PNUR and RECS prefixes
• Humanities and Philosophy – Courses with HUMN and PHIL prefixes
• Modern Language and Literature – Courses with ENGL, FREN and SPAN prefixes
• Natural Science – Courses with BIOL, CHEM, EVRN, GEOL, NSCI and PHYS prefixes
• Social Sciences – Courses with ECON, GEOG, HIST and POLI prefixes

General Education: All LSSU Associate’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

A minimum of 62 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.