General Studies Associate of Arts

Achieve your career goals with a solid academic foundation in arts and humanities.

A two-year associate's degree in general studies provides a fast and flexible path toward a degree, especially for transfer students who have earned college credits elsewhere, military personnel with prior learning and experience, and students seeking to build a strong foundation they can use toward any future baccalaureate degrees.

Apply for On-Campus Admission

Learn your way.

Shawnee State offers the Associate of Arts in General Studies in both on-campus and online formats, allowing you to complete your degree your way.

Learn more at SSU Online

Highlights

Shawnee State University to host Showcase Day on Oct. 29

Shawnee State University’s Office of Admissions will host a Showcase Day on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Shawnee State Ranked Among US News & World Report’s 2023 Best Colleges

Shawnee State University has been ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the fourth year in a row.

Free Tuition Program is Making College Possible

College affordability is a concern for most graduating high school seniors. According to SSU President Jeff Bauer, Shawnee State University is making college possible for these students through a free-tuition program.

Shawnee State University announces Free Tuition to Need-Based Students from southern Ohio and northern Kentucky

Shawnee State University has announced a Free Tuition Initiative – offering free tuition to Pell-eligible first-time students who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 18 ACT score living in Scioto, Lawrence, Adams, Pike, Jackson, and Ross counties in Ohio, as well as Greenup, Boyd, and Lewis counties in Kentucky.

Get Started

Schedule an appointment with an advisor to get started or just talk over your options. Your advisor can help develop a plan for your academic success.

To start, give us a call at (740) 351-3472 or email sahuja@shawnee.edu

A Flexible Degree Option

General Studies students don't focus on one particular major. You have the freedom to take courses from a variety of fields while still receiving a strong foundation in the Liberal Arts and Sciences including mathematics, natural sciences, history, writing, social sciences, philosophy, literature, art and oral communication.

A Step Toward Your Goals

If you are still considering the right career path for you, the two-year general studies degree may be a step in the right direction. Many students choose to major in the two-year general studies degree, completing many of the core courses required for a four-year degree, while deciding their options. Of course, the Associate of Arts in General Studies doesn't have to be a stepping-stone to a bachelor's degree. It can offer you a variety of employment opportunities by itself.

Use your Military Credit or Prior Learning

Veterans, active duty military personnel and others who have significant experience in the workforce often come to Shawnee State with knowledge, skills and training that is not captured as college credit. The Associate of Arts in General Studies is flexible enough to make sure you get the credit you are due.

General Studies AA

The Associate of Arts in General Studies is designed to provide a strong foundation in liberal arts and can be used to launch your career or as a step toward a bachelor's degree.

See Degree Requirements in Catalog

Free Tuition Program

Shawnee State University has announced a Free Tuition Initiative for qualifying students from Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Learn more