Program Overview
Learn More About Our Online General Studies Associate Degree
Explore a wide range of interests with the multidisciplinary Associate of General Studies online degree program. Gain a well-rounded education and a solid foundation of viable skills that will serve you well both now and in the future.
$258
Per Credit Hour
Varies
Program Duration
60
Credit Hours
$258
Per Credit Hour
Varies
Program Duration
60
Credit Hours
The versatile Associate of General Studies online degree program gives you ultimate flexibility. Many students start college with a predetermined major, only to discover that it's not the career path they visualize for their future. This degree combines a broad base of core courses with numerous elective courses so you can explore different areas of study and learn more about what truly suits your interests and talents. Upon graduation, you will have both the work-relevant skills to begin a successful career immediately as well as a solid academic foundation if you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree.
By taking courses across a wide range of disciplines, including communications, math, science and the arts and humanities, you will learn how to think critically, communicate effectively and solve problems creatively and strategically.
The Right Skills to Get the Job Done
Learn the communications, collaboration and problem-solving skills that will enhance your ability to succeed both independently and as a productive team member in a wide range of industries and professions.
In-Demand Skills:
Gain the knowledge and industry-relevant skills employers seek:
- Problem-solving
- Store operations
- Effective communications
- Customer service
- Product sales
Top Careers
Prepare for a broad range of professional roles, including:
- Store Manager
- Administrative Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- Insurance Account Manager
- Retail Sales Agent
Projected Job Growth:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment for individuals with an associate degree to grow 4.9% from 2019 to 2029, resulting in about 600,102 new jobs nationwide.
Also available:
Tuition
Financial Aid Packages Are Available for Those Who Qualify
A-State's online programs are affordable and convenient. You may also qualify for financial aid. Learn more.
The Associate of General Studies online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
| Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
| $218.00 | $40.00 | $258.00 | $654.00 | $120.00 | $774.00 |
Calendar
A-State Online Dates and Deadlines
Our Associate of General Studies is a flexible online program featuring accelerated, 7-week courses and multiple start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw | Spring 2022 | 7 wk | 01/11/2022 | 02/25/2022 | 12/15/2021 | 12/17/2021 | 01/06/2022 | 01/07/2022 | 02/11/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 wk | 03/07/2022 | 04/29/2022 | 02/21/2022 | 02/25/2022 | 03/03/2022 | 03/04/2022 | 04/15/2022 | |
| Summer 2022 | 5 wk | 05/31/2022 | 07/01/2022 | 05/16/2022 | 05/20/2022 | 05/26/2022 | 05/27/2022 | 06/17/2022 |
| 5 wk | 07/05/2022 | 08/05/2022 | 06/20/2022 | 06/24/2022 | 06/30/2022 | 07/01/2022 | 07/22/2022 | |
| Fall 2022 | 7 wk | 08/23/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 08/08/2022 | 08/12/2022 | 08/18/2022 | 08/19/2022 | 09/24/2022 |
| 7 wk | 10/17/2022 | 12/09/2022 | 10/03/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 10/13/2022 | 10/14/2022 | 11/26/2022 |
Admissions
Are You Ready to Apply? Check Our Admission Requirements First
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the Associate of General Studies online program should review and follow the requirements for admission below.
- When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps in the application process.
- Select three emphasis areas and submit this form.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee
- Submit an official High School Transcript with at least a 2.75 GPA or GED score of 500 (if taken prior to 2002) or 525 (if taken in or since 2002). The High School/GED requirement is waived for students who have previously successfully completed 13 or more transferrable college credit hours.
- Submit official Test Scores (e.g., ACT and SAT). Test scores are considered official if they are delivered directly to us from a testing center or from your high school on your official transcript. Test scores are valid for a period of five years from the date of the exam. The test score requirement is waived for students who have previously successfully completed 24 or more transferrable college credit hours.
- ACT test scores of 21 or greater on the composite score as well as 19 on the Math, Reading, and English sub-scores
- SAT test score of 1070
- Cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 on previous college coursework.
- No remediation courses are available for this program. If a student does not show test scores that clear the need for remediation, they must show completion of or readiness for the following program courses:
- English requirement: Students may be considered eligible for admission based on completion of English Composition I, English Composition II, or Writing Fundamentals with a grade of C or better.
- Math requirement: Students may be considered eligible for admission based on completion of College Algebra or Intermediate Algebra with a grade of D or better.
- No conditional admission status is available for this program.
- Foreign born students must submit an attested or notarized copy of their high school diploma in English. Students seeking to transfer from a non-U.S. university or college must submit official transcripts from these institutions. Transcripts will be evaluated by Arkansas State University. Proof of English proficiency may be required.
Additional Information
Students who have attended any other institution of higher education must meet the following requirements.
For students who have:
- Fewer than 12 college hours: Submit official final high school transcript and official test scores.
- 13 - 23 college hours: Have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average on cumulative transcripts and official test scores.
- 24 or more college hours: Have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average on cumulative transcripts.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
A Look at the General Studies Associate Degree Online Curriculum
To earn your Associate of General Studies, you need to complete 60 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 25 credit hours of general education courses and 35 credit hours of elective courses. Students can finish faster by transferring previously earned credit hours. Transfer credit hours will be evaluated during the admission process.
Students must take the following courses.
Communication Requirement:
Students must complete 6 credit hours of the following courses.
ENG 1003: Composition I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study and practice of fundamentals of written communication, including principles of grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization, and careful analytical reading. Prerequisite, with grade of C or better, for ENG 1013.
ENG 1013: Composition II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Continues the practice of ENG 1003 to develop further the skills learned in that course. Based on reading and discussion of various types of writing, the students’ essays will provide practice in different kinds of rhetorical development, including research and documentation.
Mathematics Requirement:
Students must complete 3 credit hours of either College Algebra or any higher-level mathematics course for which College Algebra is a prerequisite.
MATH 1023: College Algebra
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, and miscellaneous topics. No credit given if taken following MATH 1054.
MATH 1043: Quantitative Reasoning
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative reasoning as the approach to understanding relationships using mathematical and algebraic methodologies. Contemporary topics will be used to identify, analyze, generalize, and communicate quantitative relationships.
Arts and Humanities Requirement:
Students must complete 3 credit hours of Arts and Humanities courses. The first two courses listed below are offered online.
ENG 2003: Introduction to World Literature I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from early civilizations through the Renaissance.
ENG 2013: Introduction to World Literature II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from the Renaissance to the present.
MUS 2503: Fine Arts – Music
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to music for the listener who has had no formal musical training or experience. A study of musical styles and composers and their cultural and historical contexts.
Social Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 9 credit hours of Social Sciences courses. At least one course must be selected from POSC 2103, SOC 2213 or HIST 2773.
POSC 2103: Introduction to US Government
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
SOC 2213: Principles of Sociology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Human society and social behavior.
PSY 2013: Introduction to Psychology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of the important scientific, principles of individual human behavior from biological, cognitive, social, and behavioral perspectives.
Natural Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 4 credit hours of Natural Sciences courses, including one course and one lab.
BIO 1003: Biological Science
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The major characteristics and processes of life emphasizing the human organism. Promotes understanding of diversity and unity among living organisms with focus on ecological interactions and responsibilities of people within their social and natural environment. Lecture three hours per week. Special course fees may apply. Must be taken with BIO 1001.
BIO 1001: Biological Science Lab
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Laboratory, must be taken with BIO 1003. There will be a fee when purchasing the LabKit. Please visit the tuition and fees page for pricing.
CHEM 1043: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to selected fundamental concepts including dimensional analysis, mole concept, atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, intermolecular interactions, gases, mixtures, kinetics, equilibrium and acid base chemistry. Fall, Summer.
CHEM 1041: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry Lab
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 1
Special course fees apply. Prerequisite or co-requisite of CHEM 1043. Fall, Summer.
Students must take 35 credit hours of electives to satisfy the 60 credit hours required for this program. Courses may be chosen with the assistance of an advisor and per your degree plan. Electives can come from any courses offered so long as prerequisites are met.
A-State is ranked #6
among the “Top 10 Best Colleges in Arkansas” by Collegechoice.net, 2020
Next Start Date: