General Studies

Trocaire professor teaching students in a traditional classroom setting.

AS Associate Program
Division of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies

The General Studies curriculum is designed to provide students with a high level of flexibility in selecting courses to meet their individual needs. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences.  Students who already have earned an academic certificate or those students who have spent a good deal of time in a program, but have decided not to continue in the program, may earn a degree in General Studies. Students may enroll in the General Studies program in order to take time to explore their career options, determine which of our health care programs is the best fit, or allow them time to improve academic skills before beginning their chosen career program. Students can also build an individualized program in close consultation with an advisor.

Transitional Studies

  • Additional support courses for students who may need to improve their academic skills
  • 5-week intensive courses taken alongside 100 level courses
  • High faculty support

Faculty Commitment

  • Full-time faculty members highly trained in area of study
  • In-person and virtual office hours
  • Dedicated to helping you take the next steps to achieve your goals

The General Studies courses are available during the fall, spring, and summer. Classes are offered both day and evenings and the program can be completed either on a full or part-time basis.

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Program Requirements
Program Requirements

Admission Requirements: High School diploma (minimum 75% average) or GED Diploma with a minimum score of 2500

A total of at least 61 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0

Minimum Degree Requirements:
  1. General Education Core Requirements and Program Requirements:

Basic Communications (4 credits):   EN101* and GS100* or GS102*

Humanities  (6 credits):  Literature Elective* and PH103*

Natural Sciences (3 credits):  Natural Science Elective must be taken from BIO105, BIO109/109L, or BIO130/130L

Quantitative Analysis (3 credits):  Mathematics Elective* must be taken from:  MA107 or MA111

Social Sciences (3 credits):  Social Science Elective must be taken from:  PSY101 or SOC101

General Studies (3 credits):  GS201* and GS212*

      2.  Program Electives
Humanities Elective (3 credits)

Free Electives (24 credits)

Mathematics or Natural Science Elective (3-4 credits)

Philosophy/Religious Studies (3 credits)**

Social Science (6 credits)

*A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) is required.

**PH107 may not be taken if credit is granted for MA107.

Graduation Requirements:
Courses
  • Semester 1
    16/18
    EN 101
    English Composition
    3

    The course seeks to aid the communication process by developing the ability to write clear, concise, expository prose, with emphasis on pre-writing and revision. It assists the student in finding a voice and an audience. A research paper is required, thus techniques of writing a formal research paper are reviewed. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters)

    GS 100
    College Seminar*
    1

    The College Seminar is a course designed to provide students strategies for successful learning in college and beyond. Topics in the course include: learning styles, learning and study strategies, cognitive strategies, time management, goal-setting, note-taking, test-taking strategies, overcoming test anxiety, cultural diversity, and other issues that focus on enabling students to become better achievers.

    The course is one credit with a one hour laboratory. Students are requires to take this course in their first semester at Trocaire College. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semester)

    *Students must receive a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher to pass this course.

    OR
    GS 102
    College Success*
    3

    The College Success is a course designed to provide students strategies for successful learning in college and beyond. It is part of the Transitional Studies curriculum. Central to the course is students’ intensive work in learning strategies and the use of the diagnostic tool, Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI). Topics in the course include: learning styles, learning and study strategies, cognitive strategies, time management, goal-setting, note-taking, test-taking strategies, overcoming test anxiety, cultural diversity, and other issues that focus on enabling students to become better achievers.

    This course is three credits and is open only to new Trocaire students who participate in Transitional Studies. They are required to take this course their first semester at Trocaire College. (Fall and Spring Semesters)

    *Placement is based on participation in Transitional Studies
    *Students must receive a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher to pass this course.

    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    MAEL
    Mathematics Elective
    3
    SOCEL
    Social Science Elective
    3
  • Semester 2
    14
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    GS 201
    Information Fluency and Research Skills
    2

    The course will include in-depth steps in the research process through the learning and application of critical/analytical thinking skills used to formulate effective standard searches, and to understand the organization and evaluation of information in print, electronic, and other formats. The student will learn how to use the OPAC (online public access catalog) at the Trocaire College Library as well as how to locate materials in ANY Library through the use of Dewey Decimal Classification, the Library of Congress Classification and the Library of Congress Subject Headings; how to search a variety of electronic databases and Internet resources and the correct MLA and APA citation styles for a works cited page. Students will evaluate the quality of web-based (including bogus sites) and print information. At the completion of this course the student will be “information fluent” by knowing how information is produced, organized and accessed within the practical and ethical aspects of intellectual freedom and copyright guidelines.

    ENEL
    Literature Elective
    3
    NSEL
    Natural Science Elective
    3
    PH 103
    Introduction to Philosophy
    3

    This course is an introduction into the basic issues of philosophy: Being, God, Knowledge, Meaning, Self, Reality, Evil and Death as they are found and presented in the history of Western Philosophy. (Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters)

  • Semester 3
    15
    HUMEL
    Humanities Elective
    3
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    MAEL
    Mathematics Elective
    3
    OR
    NSEL
    Natural Science Elective
    3
    SOCEL
    Social Science Elective
    3
  • Semester 4
    16
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    FREL
    Free Elective
    3
    GS 212
    General Studies Seminar
    1

    This course is designed to assist the student in the transition from college to career be developing the knowledge and skills necessary for future success.  Topics include establishing career goals, work-related values, skills and job search strategies.  A professional Portfolio will be developed in the class.  Students will meet individually or in small groups with the instructor.  (Offered as needed)

    PHEL
    Philosophy Elective
    3
    SOCEL
    Social Science Elective
    3