PROGRAM INFORMATION
departments: Comprehensive Studies, English, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, and Social Sciences. Two associate degrees are offered: Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS). In addition, a General Studies Certificate and a Professional Communications Certificate are offered.

• SCHEDULING AND ENTRY OPTIONS
  
• TRANSFER TO OTHER COLLEGES
  
• DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
  
• RELATED CERTIFICATE(S)

SCHEDULING AND ENTRY OPTIONS
Day, evening, online, and hybrid classes are available. Students may enter any term. Full-time day students usually complete degree requirements in four semesters. Part-time students, day or evening, should allow at least eight consecutive terms to earn a degree. Certificate students can complete their requirements in less time depending on how many courses are taken each term. The sequence of courses students take will vary depending upon the college to which they plan to transfer and their major.

Some general guidelines for students include:

(1) New students should take any preparatory courses during the first term;

(2) First year students should enroll in College Skills (COL 103), an introduction to college and college survival skills;

(3) Students should begin basic courses such as English, mathematics, and science as soon as possible;

(4) Students should delay taking a foreign language until the second year unless they have taken a foreign language in high school; (5) Employed students should consider taking a reduced load.

TRANSFER TO OTHER COLLEGES:
Entrance requirements for transfer students vary widely among senior colleges. Many colleges require a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 at the two-year college. They prefer students whose records reflect work toward a major and are free of grades of W, or F (see Grade Definitions). Students have the responsibility, with the assistance of their academic advisor, to plan their program of study to meet the requirements of the college to which they expect to transfer. Transfer bulletins showing equivalent courses are available in the Arts and Sciences Division Office in Oconee Hall on the Pendleton Campus. Courses similar to those offered at public and private senior colleges are usually transferable if a student makes a grade of “C” or higher. Generally, courses taken at Tri-County Technical College will not substitute for 300- or 400-level courses required for a major at a senior college.

DEGREE:
Associate in Arts
Major: Associate in Arts
Graduation Credits Required: 60

DESCRIPTION
The Associate in Arts program is designed for students who plan careers in business, education, journalism, psychology or another liberal arts field. It is designed to give students the opportunity to complete the first two years of college work at Tri-County Technical College and then transfer to a four-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degree. For maximum transfer of credit, students should work with their academic advisors to review the requirements for their anticipated major at the college to which they plan to transfer and schedule their courses accordingly.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
General Education: 27 Semester Credit Hours

Required Program Courses:
15 Semester Credit Hours

Communication, humanities, or social sciences 15 credits

Elective Program Courses or General Electives:
18 Semester Credit Hours

See “General Education Course Offerings” for specifics.

Also see COURSE DESCRIPTIONS.

Communication (written and/or oral) and/or literature - 9 credits
Humanities and/or social sciences - 12 credits
(at least three credit hours from each area)
Mathematics and/or natural sciences (laboratory)* - 8 credits

*Approved courses in this area must include a minimum of one course in mathematics.

CERTIFICATE:
General Studies
Graduation Credits Required: 30

DESCRIPTION
This program allows students who are undecided as to their final academic and career goals to explore various academic disciplines, while acquiring general education credits in preparation for future studies in the University Transfer program.

REQUIREMENTS
Required Program Courses: 24 Semester Credit Hours

General Elective:
6 Semester Credit Hours

.See “General Education Course Offerings” for specifics.

Also see COURSE DESCRIPTIONS.

CERTIFICATE:
Professional Communications
Graduation Credits Required: 9

DESCRIPTION
This certificate is designed for the student interested in refining his/her written and public speaking skills in both academic and workplace settings.

REQUIREMENTS
Required Program Courses: 9 Semester Credit Hours

COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES DEPARTMENT

The Comprehensive Studies Department offers courses in Developmental Mathematics, Developmental English, Developmental Reading, and College Skills. The Department also offers Jumpstart courses in math. Jumpstart courses are intensive one-week review courses offered just before each semester and summer term. All of the courses are designed to effectively and efficiently improve students’ ability to succeed in their courses.

Students may be recommended to take Comprehensive Studies Department courses depending on their COMPASS placement test scores. Or, they may elect to take one or more courses on their own. (Students may or may not need all areas of study) Developmental courses are offered in both lecture and individualized formats. Developmental courses do not earn credit hours and cannot be used to fulfill graduation requirements. College Skills (COL 103) and Freshman Seminar (COL 105) may be used for elective credit with approval of the academic advisor. Student may not receive credit for both COL 103 and COL 105. Many students take the College Skills course because it teaches study and time management skills.

Eligible veterans may receive VA educational benefits for two semesters of developmental course work. Students receiving Pell grants may enroll for a maximum of 24 hours (equivalent of two terms) of developmental courses.

Comprehensive Studies Department Includes:

Note: Developmental courses (those numbered less than 100) generate no credit hours, do not affect the GPA, and do not count toward graduation. Effective Summer Term 2000, courses numbered 100 generate credit hours and affect the GPA, but do not count toward graduation in any degree, diploma, or certificate program.

Standards of Progress for Comprehensive Studies Students

When students enroll in the Comprehensive Studies program, their skills are evaluated and study programs are planned for them. Students may take from four months to a year or more to complete their basic skills improvement.