Start your educational journey
The Associate of Arts degree in General Studies offers students the opportunity to earn a traditional two-year degree in as little as four semesters, depending upon life experience. Students gain competencies in writing, verbal communication, problem solving, critical and creative thinking and emotional intelligence – essential skills for the workplace and for life-enhancement in general. We offer an Associate’s degree in General Studies which can lead to a pathway into a Sociology degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice at a partnering institution.
The General Studies program houses the core curriculum for all matriculated students at Pillar College. The GE curriculum is mandated by The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and our accrediting associations. As such, students in pursuit of the New Jersey State High School Diploma, an Associate’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree may be required to complete between 30-60 credits of General Education courses to qualify for their diploma/degree.
- GE credit. There are a number of cases in which a student’s prior experience can result in the awarding of the GE credit.
- Transfers. Some GE courses can be transferred in from other colleges or acquired through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Additionally, where permitted, course substitutions are accepted.
In order to ensure that our students are well-rounded and exposed to various fields of intellectual inquiry, students are exposed to learning in several disciplines:
- Communications
- Humanities
- Arts
- Natural sciences
- Social sciences
- Language studies
- Science
- Technology
BIBLICAL STUDIES 15 CREDITS (See Catalog)
General Education Core Requirements – 45 Credits
GEDU 121 College Foundations
CISY 101 Computer Literacy OR Computer Literacy 102
COMM 150 Principles of Public Speaking
ENGL 101 English Composition I
ENGL 102 English Composition II
ENGL 200+ World Literature I OR World Literature II (other options available)
HIST 231+ Western Civilization I OR Western Civilization II
HIST 222 Essentials of American Government: History, Policy & Structure
MATH 101+ Contemporary Math (other options available)
PHIL 101 or 201 Introduction to Philosophy OR Survey of Worldviews
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
Natural Science
Environmental Science OR Earth Science
ECON 201
Principles of Macroeconomics
Humanities
Innovation and Creativity OR World Language
English Literature OR Media, Tech & Society
Occupations that typically require an Associate’s Degree:*
Pre-School Teacher, Computer User Support Specialist, Bookkeeping, Auditing, Accounting Clerk, Paralegal, and Legal Assistant, Health Technologist and Technician, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic, Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Driver, Computer, Automated Teller and Machine Repairer, Telecommunications Installer and Repairer, Web Developer and more.
*Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.org
