Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree • General Studies
The A.A. degree prepares students for transfer as juniors to a Florida public university; however, students need to be aware of specific courses required for acceptance into most majors. With careful selection, these courses may be used as either general education requirements or as electives. The A.A. degree guarantees admission to a Florida public university but not necessarily to an upper division, limited access program which may have additional requirements.
Degree Requirements
General Education Courses
Area I: Communications
| ENC 1101 | College Composition I | 3 Credits |
| SPC 2608 | Public Speaking | 3 Credits |
| | | |
| ENC 1102 | Composition: Literature | 3 Credits |
| | OR | |
| ENC 2210 | Technical & Professional Writing | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Area II: Humanities
Select one course from each list.
| See Choices | Humanities State Core | 3 Credits |
| See Choices | Humanities General Education | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Area III: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Select one course from each list.
| See Choices | Social & Behavioral Sciences State Core | 3 Credits |
| See Choices | Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Area IV: Mathematics
Select one course from each list.
| See Choices | Mathematics General Education | 3 Credits |
| See Choices | Mathematics General Education | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Area V: Natural Sciences
Select one course from each list.
| See Choices | Natural Sciences State Core | 3 Credits |
| See Choices | Natural Sciences General Education | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Area VI: Personal Growth and Development
Select one 3 credit hour course from the following list.
| CGS 1100 | Business Computer Applications | 3 Credits |
| CRW 2000 | Creative Writing I | 3 Credits |
| HUN 1201 | Nutrition with Diet Therapy | 3 Credits |
| See Choices | Select any first level Foreign Language course | 4 credits |
| See Choices | Select any SLS course | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Program Electives
Choose 24 credits, which may include Writing Emphasis courses and Foreign Language AA graduation requirements.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Financial Aid
Any course taken above the minimum credit hours required for the AA degree (60 credit hours) may not be covered by financial aid. Only required courses for an LSSC degree or qualifying certificate program are eligible for federal financial aid. Verify course choices and avoid charges by making an appointment with an academic advisor.
Writing Emphasis or "Gordon Rule" Requirement
In addition to the two required Area I: Communications courses, A.A. students must select two additional courses from the list below to complete the remaining 6 credit hours of the 12 credit hour Writing Emphasis or "Gordon Rule" Writing (GRW) requirement. Courses used toward the satisfaction of this 12 credit hour Writing Emphasis (GRW) requirement must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Writing Emphasis Courses
Foreign Language Requirement
All AA degree seeking students must satisfy the foreign language requirement prior to graduation by:
Option 1) Completed and passed two years of one language in high school.
OR
Option 2) Complete and pass the second course of one foreign language sequence at the college level
OR
Option 3) Take a CLEP exam and submit qualifying test scores
Any credit hours obtained at the college level may be included in the Program Electives component of the AA degree.
Civic Literacy Requirement
As per the amended Florida Rule 6A-10.02413, prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, LSSC students under the 2021-2022 Catalog and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy through one of the following options prior to graduation:
- successfully passing POS 2041 American National Government or AMH 2020 U.S. History Since 1877 and achieving a 60% or higher on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam , or
- successfully passing a prescribed assessment:
AP Government & Politics Test: United States (passing score of 3), or
AP U.S. History Test (passing score of 4), or
CLEP: American Government (passing score of 50)
To verify your Civic Literacy Requirement, please visit DegreeWorks.
LSSC Residency Requirement
Students must complete 25% of the AA degree's total credits (15 credit hours) at LSSC to qualify for graduation.
For information about career options, visit www.lssc.edu/careers.
| Academic Advising |
| Leesburg Campus |
352-365-3574 |
| South Lake Campus |
352-243-5722 |
| Sumter Center |
352-568-0001 |
| Career Development Services |
| Careers@lssc.edu |
352-323-3603 |