2025-2026 Catalog

General Education Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree

Program Goals

  1. The program will provide students the opportunity to expand knowledge of morality and ethics.
  2. The program will provide students the opportunity to develop skills to communicate effectively.
  3. The program will provide opportunities for students to acquire the necessary skills to think critically.
  4. The program will provide the opportunity for students to develop mathematical skills.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

PLO 1.

Applied Ethics - The applied ethics outcome involves two major components: (1) understanding principles of normative and non-normative ethical theories; and 2) applying these principles in decision-making activities including case studies and contemporary issues. Most character is explored in all its dimensions: virtues and vices, commitments and attitudes, personal relationships, and community involvement, in addition to right and wrong conduct. 

PLO 2.

Communication (oral and written) - The communication competency will enhance students' written and oral communication skills. Students will examine and show competency through the use of different types of communication appropriate in professional and academic settings. Students will assess what communication is appropriate for certain audiences and ethical issues that arise from communicating with others. Students will be able to effectively communicate through oral and written communication methods. 

PLO 3.

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking outcome is defined as a set of skills and strategies for making reasonable decisions about what we do and believe. These skills and strategies include understanding the use of thought and language, recognizing the most common logical fallacies, and using the essential skills of deductive and inductive argument analysis and evaluation. Students must demonstrate practical applications of critical thinking in academic disciplines. 

PLO 4.

Mathematical Reasoning - Mathematical outcome enables students to efficiently process data and to learn new material in fields inside and outside of mathematics. Students will develop a knowledge base that allows logical reasoning and valid problem-solving techniques that can be applied in the student's personal and professional careers. 

PLO 5.

A Historical, Cultural, Social and Global Perspective

  1. Understand the complexities of the human experience in reference to sociological, cultural, Historical, geographical, psychological, political, and/or economic events issues, and points of view.
  2. Demonstrate a familiarity with the body of knowledge in the social science fields.
  3. Acquire an appreciation for the art, history, politics, and philosophies of their own and other cultures.
  4. Acquire the basic abilities within the social sciences to identify multiple perspectives, assess problems and advance solutions, and pursue inquiry and report results and/or opinions. 

Transfer Options

  • Arkansas State University
    • BA Communication Studies
    • BA Criminology
    • BA English
    • BA History
    • BA Political Science
    • BA Sociology
    • BS Psychology
    • BS Strategic Communication
  • John Brown University
    • BS Liberal Arts
    • BS Psychology
  • Reach University
    • BA Liberal Studies (Concentration in Education Science)
  • University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
    • BS Organizational Leadership
  • Other four-year universities
    • Check with your advisor.

Program Description

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree is designed to allow students the opportunity to obtain the first two years of college credits toward meeting most of the General Education requirements and some of the prerequisite requirements of a four-year baccalaureate degree.  Students planning to transfer should carefully follow the transfer program plan for the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer. This degree is also available fully online.

General Information

  • Developmental coursework may be required in addition to the courses required for this degree and/or certificate(s).
  • A [P] indicates that a prerequisite is required before the course can be taken. Refer to the prerequisites table listed below the degree plan and/or the course description in the College Catalog to determine the prerequisite.

General Requirements

  • This degree requires successful completion of 60 credit hours.
  • All degree-seeking students are required to take Rocket Awareness Orientation.
  •  A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average is required for graduation.
  • Satisfaction of all financial obligations due to the college is required for graduation.

Residency Requirement

The student is required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at SAU Tech for associate degrees and technical certificates and half of the credit hours required for certificates of proficiency as well as complete all other graduation requirements.  Students who wish to pursue additional degrees must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of difference between the degrees.

ACTS Course Numbers

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for admissions and degree requirements.

Degree Plan

Semester I (15 hours)

ENGL 1113Composition I

3

SPCH 1113Principles of Speech

3

GSTD 1043Rocket Awareness Orientation

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

HIST 2013U.S. History I

3

HIST 2023U.S. History II

3

PSCI 2003American Government National

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

MATH 1023College Algebra

3

MATH 1063Mathematical Reasoning

3

MATH 1525Calculus I

5

Semester II (16 hours)

BIOL 1004The Biological Science

4

ENGL 1123Composition II

3

CPSC 1003Introduction to Computers

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

GEOG 2003Introduction to Geography

3

PSYC 2003General Psychology

3

SOC 2003Introduction to Sociology

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

ART 2013Art Appreciation

3

MUS 2013Music Appreciation

3

PHIL 2403Introduction to Philosophy

3

Semester III (15 hours)

______3
Directed Elective

3

______3
Directed Elective

3

______3
Directed Elective

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

ENGL 2213World Literature I

3

ENGL 2223World Literature II

3

Choose three (3) hours from these courses:

HIST 1003World History I

3

HIST 1013World History II

3

Semester IV (14 hours)

______3
Free Elective

3

______3
Directed Elective

3

______3
Directed Elective

3

Choose four (4) hours these courses:

PHSC 1004Physical Sciences

4

PHYS 2014College Physics I

4

Choose one (1) hour from these courses:

PE 1061Softball

1

PE 1071Basketball

1

PE 1081Fitness for Life

1

PE 1091Strength & Conditioning

1

PE 1111Baseball

1

Directed Electives (15 hours)

Select courses, not already taken, from the following courses to fulfill requirements: 

ART 2013Art Appreciation

3

BI 2234Microbiology

4

BIOL 1004The Biological Science

4

BIOL 2003Nutrition and Diet

3

BIOL 2404Anatomy & Physiology I

4

BIOL 2414Anatomy & Physiology II

4

CJ 1003Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CHEM 1114General Chemistry I

4

ECON 2203Principles of Macroeconomics

3

ECON 2103Principles of Microeconomics

3

ENGL 1113Composition I

3

ENGL 1123Composition II

3

ENGL 2013Introduction to Creative Writing

3

ENGL 2213World Literature I

3

ENGL 2223World Literature II

3

GEOG 2003Introduction to Geography

3

HIST 1003World History I

3

HIST 1013World History II

3

HIST 2013U.S. History I

3

HIST 2023U.S. History II

3

HIST 2083History of Arkansas

3

MUS 2013Music Appreciation

3

PHIL 2403Introduction to Philosophy

3

PHSC 1004Physical Sciences

4

PHYS 2014College Physics I

4

PSCI 2003American Government National

3

PSYC 2003General Psychology

3

PSYC 2033Abnormal Psychology

3

PSYC 2103Developmental Psychology

3

SOC 2003Introduction to Sociology

3

SOC 2013Social Problems

3

THEA 2003Theatre Appreciation

3

Free Elective (3 hours)

Choose course from any discipline.

Approved Course Substitutions

Botany and Lab or Zoology and Lab for BIOL 1004 The Biological Sciences.

General Physics I and Lab or General Physics II and Lab or Physical Geology and Lab for PHSC 1004 Physical Sciences.

Total Credit Hours: 60