General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements

The Maryland Higher Education Commission stipulates that in order to receive associate degrees, students must fulfill not only the requirements of their specific program of study but also those of a general education.

CCBC Definition of General Education

CCBC’s General Education Program introduces students to a variety of disciplines that build a common foundation of knowledge that promotes critical thinking and lifelong, independent learning.  General Education courses prepare students to meet the academic and career challenges of today and tomorrow as empowered citizens of a global society.

CCBC General Education Program Outcomes

1. Communication - The ability to tailor communication style, language, and content appropriately for the intended audience and context in one or more modes of communication (written, visual, oral, and/or signed) including consideration of the physical, oral, aural, visual, and written elements of communication to achieve understanding and connection.
2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning - The ability to tailor communication style, language, and content appropriately for the intended audience and context in one or more modes of communication (written, visual, oral, and/or signed) including consideration of the physical, oral, aural, visual, and written elements of communication to achieve understanding and connection.  
3. Technological Competence - The ability to use discipline-appropriate technologies effectively to analyze and solve problems, communicate clearly, and/or accomplish academic and professional tasks.
4. Information Literacy - The ability to evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and cite research sources to create new knowledge using academic and professional ethical standards.
5. Scientific, Quantitative, or Logical Reasoning - The ability to apply basic mathematical, scientific and/or logical concepts and theories to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions.
6. Diverse Perspectives - The ability to apply skills for inclusive participation through an awareness of diversity and identity that promotes equity and justice for a sustainable future.
7. Personal and Professional Ethics - The ability to identify, examine, evaluate and resolve personal and professional ethical issues and their ramifications using a variety of ethical perspectives and problem-solving approaches.

Degree Types and Required General Education

The AAS degree is primarily designed for students who plan to enter the workforce after attending CCBC. AAS degrees may transfer to some four-year institutions, but students may need to take additional general education classes. Also, some courses may not be transferable, depending on the field of study and the institution.

The AA in Humanities and Social Sciences, the AS in Science, and the AFA in Fine and Performing Arts degrees are primarily designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education.

Specialized AAT, AA, and AS degrees are designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university, for further study in a specific occupation, such as Teaching or Computer Science, that generally requires a Bachelor’s degree.

PLEASE NOTE: For AA and AS degrees in the Biological and Physical Sciences category, students must take 7-8 credits. The courses must come from two different disciplines or be two sequential courses (these courses are labeled I and II in their titles) from one discipline. One of the courses must be a lab.

General Education Courses

Pathways or programs of study may require particular General Education courses. In other cases, students can choose electives within a General Education category.

See the list of approved General Education Courses  for guidance in selecting a General Education elective. Also, if you plan to transfer, consult a transfer advisor, program director or coordinator, or staff person at your intended university to determine which classes are most likely to transfer.