Associate of Science in General Education
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Earn a General Education Degree and Expand Your Intellectual and Professional Opportunities
Degree:
Associate of Science in General Education Degree
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
Are you ready to broaden your horizons, expand your knowledge, and develop your skill set? The Associate of Science in General Education program will allow you to gain writing & mathematical skills and explore subject matter disciplines such as humanities, information literacy, science, and social science. Within the curriculum, you will address the cultural diversity of contemporary society and focus on writing & speech communication. Students will also explore mathematical and other formal systems to develop abstract reasoning abilities and take a course in informational literacy.
The program focuses on core competencies that address the soft skills a person needs in the workplace. These soft skills include, but are not limited to writing, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, and critical thinking.
The AS in General Education program serves as a feeder program to many scientific tracks and pathways such as a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, public health, clinical science, and radiation therapy.
Why National University’s Associate of Science in General Education Program?
- Hands-On Learning in the Essentials of Education. With new writing and speech skills, and a better understanding of science, mathematics, humanities, and multicultural environments, you’ll have a firm foundation for communicating, learning, and decision-making in all aspects of life and work.
- Designed for Working Professionals. Our associate in general education program offers asynchronous and online course formats that fit the busy schedules of adult learners with convenient four-week courses, monthly starts, and year-round enrollment.
- Tools for Life and More Advanced Studies. The focus on communication fundamentals combined with a broad range of math, science, humanities, and cultural subjects prepares you for a lifetime of personal growth, self-development, and greater possibilities for further education.
Associate of Science in General Education Degree and Course Requirements
To receive the AS degree in General Education, students must complete at least 90 quarter units, 18 of which must be taken in residence at National University. Of the 90 units required, 78 must fall into the areas of General Education as listed below. A list of courses for each category can be found in the General Education section of the Catalog under General Education for Bachelor Degrees. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general elective courses may be taken to fulfill the total unit requirement for the degree.
National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters.
Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.
The General Education Program consists of a minimum of 78 quarter units. Of the 78 units, students must complete at least 4.5 units at the upper-division level and 4.5 units in diversity-enriched coursework. A plus [+] indicates a diversity-enriched offering.
Students are urged to meet English and Mathematics requirements as early as possible in their college studies to avoid serious difficulties in other coursework. Refer to the section on Undergraduate Admission Procedures for specific information regarding application and placement evaluation.
AREA A: English Communication (Minimum 13.5 quarter units)
AREA B: Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning (Minimum 9.0 quarter units)
AREA C: Information Literacy (Minimum 4.5 quarter units)
AREA D: Arts, Humanities & Languages (Minimum 9 quarter units over at least 2 areas)
AREA E: Social & Behavioral Sciences (Minimum 13.5 quarter units)
AREA F: Physical & Biological Sciences (Minimum 18 quarter units required)
AREA G: Lifelong Learning & Self Development (Minimum 4.5 quarter units)
AREA A-G: General Education (Minimum 4.5 quarter units)
Specializations
Associate of Science in General Education, Concentration in Spanish
Through this concentration, students can improve their Spanish language skills and their marketability in various professions. The coursework focuses on increasing students’ spoken and written fluency and their cultural competency for working with Spanish-speaking populations.
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
The Associate of Science in General Education degree will prepare you for careers such as:
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary (USA)
- JOB Openings (USA)
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- $44,023 avg. salary (USA)
- 240,959 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Administrative Support
- Data Entry
- Invoicing
- Office Supply Management
- Office Equipment
- Accounting
- Travel Arrangements
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Npower (Nonprofit)
- TJX
- Marriott International
- Sephora
- University of California
- State of Minnesota
- Food Service Managers
- $55,414 avg. salary (USA)
- 45,088 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Restaurant Operation
- Food Safety And Sanitation
- Restaurant Management
- Marketing
- Food Services
- Profit And Loss (P&L) Management
- Inventory Management
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Taco Bell
- Domino's Pizza
- Arby's
- Burger King
- Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Sonic Drive-In
- Sales Managers
- $134,000 avg. salary (USA)
- 55,729 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Marketing
- Sales Management
- Selling Techniques
- Business Development
- Sales Prospecting
- Customer Relationship Management
- Sales Strategy
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Marriott International
- AutoZone
- Hilton
- Carter's
- Wolters Kluwer
- US Foods Holding
- Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- $65,587 avg. salary (USA)
- 76,816 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Continuous Improvement Process
- Project Management
- Process Improvement
- Auditing
- Lean Manufacturing
- Workflow Management
- Housekeeping
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Whole Foods
- State of Florida
- Tyson Foods
- GAF Materials Corporation
- Amazon
- The Brock Group
- Administrative Services Managers
- $106,282 avg. salary (USA)
- 24,933 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Office Management
- Accounting
- Billing
- Accounts Receivable
- Finance
- Accounts Payable
- Administrative Support
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- University of California
- Brookdale Senior Living
- Ryder
- CBRE
- Genesis HealthCare
- Humana
- General and Operations Managers
- $100,934 avg. salary (USA)
- 373,566 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Operations Management
- Marketing
- Merchandising
- Finance
- Project Management
- Inventory Management
- Profit And Loss (P&L) Management
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- CVS Health
- AutoZone
- Buckle
- Walmart
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Menards
- Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- $63,231 avg. salary (USA)
- 169,636 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Office Management
- Merchandising
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Invoicing
- Project Management
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Ross Stores
- Ross-Shire Engineering
- Edward Jones
- Public Storage
- TJX
- O'Reilly Auto Parts
Program Learning Outcomes
Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.
- A capacity for responsible citizenship in a diverse society
- Skills for self-development that contribute to lifelong learning
- Literacy in written and oral communication
- Information literacy skills in developing research projects and presentations
- Awareness of past and present human and cultural diversity
- The ability to identify ethical issues raised in different disciplines
- Scientific and quantitative literacy skills in appraising information and solving problems
- The ability to use the elements of critical thinking to analyze issues, solve problems, and make decisions
- The ability to work successfully in a team
Admissions
Transfer Students Welcome
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Why National University?
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
What makes a degree
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Individual student and alumni career guidance, professional development opportunities, and customized career support.
Transfer Students Welcome
NU makes it easy to get your degree, even if you started it with another university. Learn more about transferring to NU.
Accelerate Your Career With NU
At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.
Our network of 240,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
FAQs
The growing medical services sector is always in need of technicians and assistants with foundational training in the sciences. Your career path could include a variety of nursing, pharmaceutical, radiological, or patient care opportunities, as well as teaching assistant, computer support, or paralegal professions.
General education studies provide essential self-development skills in literacy, math, science, and humanities that form a foundation for lifelong learning. These studies also help prepare students with the fundamentals necessary for more advanced education.
With an emphasis on communication, math, and science, National University’s Associate of Science in General Studies degree prepares you for a lifetime of personal development, greater possibilities for more advanced education, and jobs that require a solid foundation in language and science fundamentals.
Career Opportunities in the General Education Field
- Medical assistants, technicians, therapists, and record specialists
- Computer support specialists
- Preschool teachers and teaching assistants
- Paralegals and legal assistants
Employers of General Education Graduates
- Hospitals, private clinics, and other care providers
- Computer support centers
- Public and private education providers
- Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies
National University has always been dedicated to meeting the needs of working adult learners. While earning your degree is important to your future, you don’t need to put your life on hold to do so.
The Associate of Science in General Studies degree can be completed 100% online, so you can study when and where it’s most convenient for you. You will engage with faculty weekly and participate in discussions with faculty and classmates on threaded online discussion boards. Quizzes and exams are completed online, and you can submit your papers or homework directly to your professors through the online portal.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
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