Program Description
The AA in General Studies degree allows students who may be undecided about a major to complete a curriculum designed to offer students a solid background in general education, giving students the opportunity to explore possible educational and career opportunities. Completion of this degree will allow students to enter a four-year degree program at an institution of higher learning at the Junior level.

Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for an Associate of Arts degree can be found in the South Dakota Board of Regents Policy Manual, Policy 2:3-Admissions. Specific information for the Associate of Arts degree is found under section 2.B and 2.C. All students will need to complete an admissions application, completing the portion pertaining to the university from which you would like to receive the degree.

Course Information
The AA in General Studies degree is composed of the System General Education Requirements which include seven goals, information technology literacy requirements, and elective courses. The System General Education Requirements compose 30 credits, the information technology literacy requirements compose 0-9 credits and the electives compose 25-34 credits. The number of credits needed for the information technology literacy requirements and electives will depend upon the institution from which you will be receiving the AA degree.

The seven goals within the System General Education Requirements include:

• Goal 1: Students will write effectively and responsibly and understand and interpret the written expression of others.
• Goal 2: Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through speaking and listening.
• Goal 3: Students will understand the structures and possibilities of the human community through study of the social sciences.
• Goal 4: Students will understand and appreciate the human experience through arts and humanities.
• Goal 5: Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.
• Goal 6: Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.
• Goal 7: Students will understand and be sensitive to cultural diversity so that they are prepared to live and work in an international and multicultural environment.

Assessment Information
Each student enrolled in the AA in General Studies degree will be required to take the Proficiency Examination after the completion of 32 credit hours or prior to graduation. The student must have completed or be enrolled in the 15 credit hours listed below in order to take the exam.

Credit Hours	Course Requirement
3	Composition (Goal 1)
3	Social Science (Goal 3)
3	Humanities and Fine Arts (Goal 4)
3	Mathematics (Goal 5)
3 (6 recommended)	Natural Science (Goal 6)