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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

Completing the General Studies program will provide you with the ability to:

  • Think critically
  • Solve problems
  • Conduct research
  • Write and speak clearly
  • Work in groups as a team player, as well as independently

Employers value these qualities in job candidates in every field and industry.

Why GCC?

In GCC’s General Studies program, you can design your own course of study in consultation with your academic advisor and a transfer counselor. This program is especially helpful if you have not yet decided on a specific academic or career goal.

If you are considering transferring to a four-year school after graduation, you will carefully review program options with an advisor and a transfer counselor to ensure your course sequences meet the transfer institution’s requirements.

As a student pursuing the General Studies degree, you should consult with an advisor to select the appropriate courses to transfer to an upper-division program in a specific discipline of choice.

Liberal Arts and Science disciplines include:

  • Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Art
  • Biology
  • English and literature
  • Foreign language
  • History and political science
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy

Degree Types

Associate In Science (AS)

AS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to think critically and employ creative problem‐solving.
  2. Develop sufficient background in a Humanities or Social Science discipline to qualify for upper division study.
  3. Recognize, employ and assess effective communication skills, textually, and orally.
  4. Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills.
  5. Recognize and apply scientific methods to explore social and natural phenomena.
  6. Demonstrate foundational knowledge and information technology research skills required to be an informed citizen in the global community.
  7. Demonstrate the basic skills required to communicate in a foreign language.
  8. Engage in recognition, analysis, and creation of artistic and literary expression.
  9. Demonstrate awareness of self in connection with academic and personal goals.

Download the 2024-2025 Curriculum Worksheet for AS [PDF]

Transfer Opportunities

Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.

If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.

To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.

Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Canisius College*
  • Daemen College
  • Houghton College
  • Nazareth College
  • Niagara University*
  • Roberts Wesleyan College
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • St. John Fisher College*
  • SUNY College at Alfred State*
  • SUNY College at Brockport
  • SUNY College at Buffalo State*
  • SUNY College at Buffalo, University
  • SUNY College at Canton*
  • SUNY College at Geneseo

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*GCC has current transfer agreements with the above noted institutions.