Liberal Arts and Sciences - General Studies

Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies

A.S. Degree, Certificate

Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies

This program is designed for students who intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree, but are unsure about their career and transfer plans. As such, the program aims to develop students’ college-level communication and critical-thinking skills, present a broad understanding of the liberal arts and sciences to heighten global awareness, provide opportunities for the student to develop creative capacities, and to allow for the exploration of education and career options.

Careers on Career Coach

While the curriculum for this program is designed primarily for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program, students develop vital transferrable skills that support them in the workplace as well. A quality liberal arts education provides students with one of the many lenses through which they view the world and prepares them to pursue a wide array of careers. We encourage students to intentionally engage in applied learning opportunities (such as volunteering, services learning, internships, jobs, research, etc.) as well to gain valuable hands-on experience. Learn about some of the many jobs students explore: 

Program Chair

Christine Shanks

Christine Shanks

Associate Professor, Graphic Design

I am an image maker, designer, and educator. I feel at home on the computer and working by hand in the studio. 

Read more

Transfer Options

Recent transfer institutions include:

  • University at Albany
  • Buffalo State College
  • Alfred University
  • Arnot-Ogden Medical Center, School of Radiologic Technology
  • Binghamton University
  • Canisius College
  • SUNY College at Canton
  • Cazenovia College
  • Cornell University
  • SUNY College at Cortland
  • Empire State College
  • SUNY College at Fredonia
  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Ithaca College
  • Mansfield University
  • SUNY College at Cobleskill
  • SUNY College at Geneseo
  • SUNY College at Oneonta
  • SUNY College at Oswego
  • SUNY College at Plattsburgh
  • Portland State University
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Utah
  • Wells College
  • Western Kentucky University

Degree Requirements

A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 60 credits
ENGL100, Academic Writing I (C or better), 3 cr.
A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a three-credit SUNY GEN ED approved course. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. 		Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one course from the courses listed below:
ENGL201, Public Speaking, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL204, Interpersonal Communication, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

SUNY GEN ED Restricted History Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Restricted Humanities Elective

Select 1 course from the list below:
Select from category 7-Humanities, 8-The Arts
9-Foreign Language.

ARAB@
ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr.
ART102, History and Appreciation of Art II, 3 cr.
ART109, Introduction to Graphic Design, 3 cr.
ART110, Design I, 3 cr.
ART111, Photography I, 3 cr.
ART112, Photography II, 3 cr.
ART114, Design II, 3 cr.
ART115, Painting I, 3 cr.
ART120, Drawing I, 3 cr.
ART122, Drawing II, 3 cr.
ART130, Ceramics, 3 cr.
ART131, Ceramics II, 3 cr.
ART180, Typography, 3 cr.
ART200, Illustration, 3 cr.
ART270, Computer Graphics, 3 cr.
ART271, Computer Graphics II, 3 cr.
ASL@
CHIN@
CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
ENGL105, Beginning Acting, 3 cr.
ENGL200, Screenwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL205, American Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL206, American Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL208, Introduction to Native American Literature, 3 cr.
ENGL212, Fiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL215, Short Fiction, 3 cr.
ENGL220, Literature for Children, 3 cr.
ENGL225, World Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL226, World Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL227, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL229, Introduction to Poetry, 3 cr.
ENGL233, Film Analysis, 3 cr.
ENGL245, Survey of British Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL246, Survey of British Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL248, Contemporary Women Writers, 3 cr.
ENGL255, Writing the Dramatic Television Series, 3 cr.
ENGL256, Playwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL262, Poetry Writing, 3 cr.
ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr.
FREN101, French I, 3 cr.
FREN102, French II, 3 cr.
FREN201, Intermediate French I, 3 cr.
FREN202, Intermediate French II, 3 cr.
GERM@
HUMN232, Introduction to World Religions, 3 cr.
ITAL@
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
PHIL101, Introduction to Philosophy, 3 cr.
PHIL201, Contemporary Moral Issues, 3 cr.
RECR215, Recreation and the Expressive Arts, 3 cr.
RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr.
RUSN@
SOCE258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
SPAN101, Beginning Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN102, Beginning Spanish II, 3 cr.
SPAN201, Intermediate Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN202, Intermediate Spanish II, 3 cr.
WGST248, Contemporary Women Writers, 3 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Mathematics Elective

Select 1 course from the list below:
MATH109, Statistical Literacy, 3 cr.
MATH110, Topics in Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr.
MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr.
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr.
MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr.
MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr.
MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr.
MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Math or Science Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Natural Sciences Lab Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Restricted Other World Civilizations Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives
Choose one course from the courses listed below:
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

Liberal Arts Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Liberal Arts Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH201, Introduction to Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH220, Dev Anthropology in a Globalizing World, 3 cr.
ANTH260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ANTH295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
ARAB101, Arabic I, 3 cr.
ARAB102, Arabic II, 3 cr.
ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr.
ART102, History and Appreciation of Art II, 3 cr.
ASL101, Beginning American Sign Language I, 3 cr.
ASL102, Beginning American Sign Language II, 3 cr.
ASTR101, Introductory Astronomy, 3 cr.
BIOL100, Human Biology, 3 cr.
BIOL101, Principles of Biology I, 3 cr.
BIOL102, Principles of Biology II, 3 cr.
BIOL104, General Biology I, 4 cr.
BIOL105, General Biology II, 4 cr.
BIOL112, Essentials of Medical Microbiology, 3 cr.
BIOL114, Essentials of Nutrition, 3 cr.
BIOL115, Field Natural History, 3 cr.
BIOL116, Tropical Field Natural History, 4 cr.
BIOL125, Biology and Earth Science for Teachers, 4 cr.
BIOL131, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL132, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL201, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL202, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL211, Ecology, 4 cr.
BIOL216, General Microbiology, 4 cr.
CHEM101, Principles of Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM102, Principles of Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM107, General Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM108, General Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM205, Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM206, Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHIN101, Mandarin Chinese I, 3 cr.
CHIN102, Mandarin Chinese II, 3 cr.
COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr.
CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr.
ECON101, Introduction to Economics, 3 cr.
ECON120, Principles of Microeconomics, 3 cr.
ECON121, Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 cr.
ENGL103, Report Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL200, Screenwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL205, American Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL206, American Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL208, Introduction to Native American Literature, 3 cr.
ENGL212, Fiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL215, Short Fiction, 3 cr.
ENGL220, Literature for Children, 3 cr.
ENGL225, World Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL226, World Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL227, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL229, Introduction to Poetry, 3 cr.
ENGL233, Film Analysis, 3 cr.
ENGL245, Survey of British Literature I, 3 cr.
ENGL246, Survey of British Literature II, 3 cr.
ENGL248, Contemporary Women Writers, 3 cr.
ENGL255, Writing the Dramatic Television Series, 3 cr.
ENGL256, Playwriting, 3 cr.
ENGL258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
ENGL262, Poetry Writing, 3 cr.
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr.
ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
ENVS295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
FREN101, French I, 3 cr.
FREN102, French II, 3 cr.
FREN201, Intermediate French I, 3 cr.
FREN202, Intermediate French II, 3 cr.
GEOG120, World Regional Geography, 3 cr.
GEOL101, Introductory Geology, 3 cr.
GEOL125, Biology and Earth Science for Teachers, 4 cr.
GERM101, Beginning German I, 3 cr.
GERM102, Beginning German II, 3 cr.
HSTY101, Development of the Western Tradition I, 3 cr.
HSTY102, Development of the Western Tradition II, 3 cr.
HSTY110, World History to 1500, 3 cr.
HSTY111, World History Since 1500, 3 cr.
HSTY201, American History to 1877, 3 cr.
HSTY202, American History Since 1877, 3 cr.
HSTY225, African American History, 3 cr.
HSTY233, Women in U.S. History, 3 cr.
HSTY235, Medieval Europe 500-1500, 3 cr.
HSTY245, Topics in Modern Asia, 3 cr.
HSTY252, Native American History: Colonial Policies, 3 cr.
HSTY255, Labor History, 3 cr.
HSTY260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
HUMN232, Introduction to World Religions, 3 cr.
IED260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ITAL101, Italian I, 3 cr.
ITAL102, Italian II, 3 cr.
MATH109, Statistical Literacy, 3 cr.
MATH110, Topics in Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH115, Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II, 3 cr.
MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr.
MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr.
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr.
MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr.
MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr.
MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr.
MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr.
METR101, Introductory Meteorology, 3 cr.
MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr.
PHIL101, Introduction to Philosophy, 3 cr.
PHIL201, Contemporary Moral Issues, 3 cr.
PHSC104, General Physics I, 4 cr.
PHSC105, General Physics II, 4 cr.
PHSC211, Physics I (Mechanics and Heat), 4 cr.
PHSC212, Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism), 4 cr.
PHSC213, Physics III (Waves, Optics and Modern Physics), 4 cr.
POSC103, American National Government, 3 cr.
POSC104, American State and Local Government, 3 cr.
POSC107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
POSC245, Topics in Modern Asia, 3 cr.
POSC260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
PSYC101, Psychology of Personal Growth, 3 cr.
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC201, Social Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC205, Childhood Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC207, Adolescent Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC208, Adult Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC209, Abnormal Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC218, Educational Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC263, Development Across the Lifespan, 3 cr.
RECR150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr.
RUSN101, Russian I, 3 cr.
RUSN102, Russian II, 3 cr.
SOCE150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr.
SOCE201, Human Sexuality, 3 cr.
SOCE205, Organizational Behavior, 3 cr.
SOCE258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr.
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr.
SOCI201, Sociology of the Family, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
SOCI205, Contemporary Social Problems, 3 cr.
SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
SOCI207, Introduction to Criminology, 3 cr.
SOCI220, Dev Anthropology in a Globalizing World, 3 cr.
SPAN101, Beginning Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN102, Beginning Spanish II, 3 cr.
SPAN201, Intermediate Spanish I, 3 cr.
SPAN202, Intermediate Spanish II, 3 cr.
WGST233, Women in U.S. History, 3 cr.
WGST248, Contemporary Women Writers, 3 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Unrestricted Electives

Select a minimum of 21 credits from the courses listed below:
FSS 131, Self and World, and PSED 160, Career Exploration,
are recommended for students who are undecided
about their major/career path.

@
 Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Degree Requirements

Certificate: General Studies
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 30 credits

English Electives

Select a minimum of 6 credits from the courses listed below:
While ENGL 100 & 101 are not required, they may be pre-requisites for
one or more of the program courses.

ENGL@
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Humanities Elective

 Use Schedule Search for electives

Math/Science Electives

Select a minimum of 6 credits from the courses listed below:
ASTR@
BIOL@
CHEM@
CSCI@
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
GEOL@
MATH1@
MATH2@
METR@
PHSC@
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Social Science Electives

 Use Schedule Search for electives

Unrestricted Electives

Select a minimum of 9 credits from the courses listed below:
Up to 3 FITN credits may be used toward the Unrestricted Electives
requirements.

@
 Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Student Showcase

  • Grad of Note - Stormy Young

    Stormy Young

    Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?

    As I would tell prospective students while giving them a tour, Tompkins Cortland was a huge leap of faith for me. I thought for sure I was going to go to a four-year school, but it was Brent Doane and my high school principal who ultimately changed my mind. I never visited campus until sometime in early July of 2018 for the required start session – from there everything just seem to unfold so seamlessly. 

    Tompkins Cortland reminds me a lot of my high school, a small yet strong community that has ensured me a support system I know that I can count on for a lifetime.

    Who at TC3 had the greatest positive impact on your experience?

    I have to admit, this is honestly such a tough question because there are dozens of people who have made such a great impact on my experience at Tompkins Cortland. I am going to have to give it up for the man himself, Brent Doane. Without Brent, I wouldn't have met people like Shannon Allen, who in turn gave me a position as a student ambassador, or Rhonda Kowalski who invited me to share my story to Dryden High School. Brent has treated me just like one of his own, showed me tough love when I needed it most, and helped me pick myself back up during the times I felt most defeated after failing an exam. He always knows just the right words to say. My success story from Tompkins Cortland wouldn't have been the same without Mr. Brent Doane. I also would like to give a shout out to the entire Tompkins Cortland community – faculty, staff, students, groundskeepers, maintenance, coaches, etc. You all truly make Tompkins Cortland what it is – so welcoming and supportive! Thank you!

    What were your extracurricular involvements and how did they contribute to your college experience/future aspirations?

    I served as a student ambassador (tour guide) all four semesters. I was a part of the Cru movement that launched the spring semester of 2019. During the Summer of 2019, I was invited to serve as student representative on an Institutional Search Committee during the time the college was in search of a new Mental Health Counselor. I also was an active member of the Student Government Association, Faculty Student Association, and the Residence Hall Association for a short period of time. The Mobile Food Drive is just another one of many things I liked to put my time toward. Due to the extracurricular involvements listed above, it's clear that I am one who likes to be a part of several things going on at once. My involvement with the Tompkins Cortland Community has allowed me to enhance my networking skills and the ability to make such strong connections. 

    What are your next steps after graduation (employment, transfer, etc) and how did the College prepare you for that?

    I have decided to accept a dietary position at a local hospital for the time being. By the Fall of 2021, I hope to be accepted to a radiology or sonography program. The College has allowed me to take some sciences courses in a smaller setting that will later apply to whichever program I decide to go for next.