Background
General education encompasses the skills and knowledge that we expect of every college graduate. These can include, among others, such qualities as:
- An informed understanding of history, science, art, government, humanities, geography,
other cultures, and much else - Good oral and written communication skills
- How to use a computer
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in college level math
- How to work well with others
- Knowing how to learn on their own
For those involved in workforce programs, the general education student learning outcomes
largely parallel the “necessary skills” or SCANS competencies so fundamental to those programs.
Another way of thinking about general education is that it is those skills and knowledge that
students will carry with them long after they have graduated.
The college is currently in the process of developing our own learning outcomes for general
education. If you would like to provide some input regarding them, please take the
General Education Survey. Thank you for your suggestions!
Relationship to Curriculum
The general education competencies are taught in many different courses, thereby establishing relationships across programs and between classes. As such, they help to shape the experiences
of nearly every student.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) “Principles of Accreditation” requires that all degree plans, both workforce and transfer, have
15 credit hours in General Education courses. These requirements are described in the
SACS-COC Principles document and must include at least one 3-hour course from:
- written communication
- oral communication
- math and natural sciences
- humanities/fine arts
- social/behavioral sciences
Students must include at least one course in each area from the General Education list in their
ACC coursework in order to earn a degree.
For academic transfer degrees, general education requirements are met within the context of the
Core Curriculum. The Core Curriculum is defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. As put into practice at ACC, a student must take 42 credit hours spread across several disciplines, including
- English comp (6 credit hours)
- Communications (3 credit hours)
- Mathematics (3 credit hours)
- Natural Sciences (6 credit hours)
- Humanities (6 credit hours)
- Visual and Performing Arts (3 credit hours)
- History (6 credit hours)
- Government (6 credit hours)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credit hours)