Are you questioning the need for General Education courses, wondering why you have to take subjects seemingly unrelated to your chosen major? At A-B Tech, we understand that you’re focused on your career path, and we’re here to show you how General Education is not just a requirement, but a crucial launchpad for your professional journey, especially within programs like the A-b Tech Career Pilot Program.
General Education is designed to equip you with the essential skills you need to thrive, not only in your specific field of study but also in the broader landscape of your career and life. Think of it as the foundational training in your pilot program for career success. These courses teach you how to communicate effectively with future employers, craft compelling reports in your professional field, understand financial concepts relevant to your industry, and so much more. Beyond the immediate job skills, General Education cultivates you into a more informed, engaged citizen and a valuable contributor to society. Developing critical thinking, fostering a global perspective, and nurturing an appreciation for diverse human experiences are the cornerstones of a comprehensive education that sets you apart in any career, including those accessed through A-B Tech career pilot programs.
General Education Hour Requirements at A-B Tech
The number of General Education hours required varies depending on your degree program, ensuring the curriculum is tailored to your academic and career goals.
For students in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree program, a minimum of 15 General Education hours are required. These are thoughtfully distributed across key disciplines:
- Communication: 6 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts: 3 hours
- Social & Behavioral Science: 3 hours
- Natural Science & Mathematics: 3 hours
Your faculty has carefully pre-selected General Education courses to align with AAS programs. Here’s a list of available courses within each category:
| Communication | Humanities & Fine Arts | Social & Behavioral Science | Natural Science & Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM-110 | ART-111 | ECO-251 | BIO-161 |
| COM-120 | ART-114 | ECO-252 | BIO-163 |
| COM-231 | ART-115 | HIS-111 | BIO-168 |
| ENG-110 | HUM-110 | HIS-112 | MAT-110 |
| ENG-111 | HUM-115 | HIS-131 | MAT-121 |
| ENG-112 | MUS-110 | HIS-132 | MAT-143 |
| ENG-114 | MUS-112 | POL-120 | MAT-152 |
| PHI-215 | PSY-150 | MAT-171 | |
| PHI-240 | SOC-210 | PHY-110/110A | |
| SOC-225 | PHY-121 |
For degrees designed for university transfer, such as the Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS), a more extensive General Education component is required, totaling 45 hours. This ensures a strong academic foundation for further studies:
- English Composition: 6 hours
- Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts: 6-9 hours
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6-9 hours
- Mathematics: 3-8 hours
- Natural Sciences: 4-8 hours
- Additional General Education hours: 11-14 hours
Students pursuing an Associate in Engineering (AE) degree will complete 42 General Education hours, with a strong emphasis on STEM fields:
- English Composition: 6 hours
- Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts: 6 hours
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6 hours
- Mathematics: 12 hours
- Natural Sciences: 12 hours
For those enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts (AFA), 25 General Education hours are required, balancing artistic specialization with a broad educational base:
- English Composition: 6 hours
- Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts: 6 hours
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6 hours
- Mathematics: 3-4 hours
- Natural Sciences: 4 hours
Detailed information about General Education requirements for transfer degrees, including specific course options within each category, can be found in the current A-B Tech College Catalog. Consult this resource to plan your academic path effectively within your chosen A-B Tech career pilot program.
Core Skills Developed Through General Education
At A-B Tech, our faculty has meticulously crafted a General Education core curriculum to ensure that our graduates, including those from A-B Tech career pilot programs, acquire essential skills for lifelong success. These skills are not just academic; they are the practical tools you’ll use every day in your career and personal life.
Sharpening Critical Evaluation of Information:
- Information Literacy: You will become adept at navigating the information age, learning to locate, evaluate, and utilize information effectively and ethically – a crucial skill in any profession and especially in rapidly evolving fields targeted by A-B Tech career pilot programs.
- Critique of Human Expression: You will develop the ability to analyze and critique various forms of human expression, from literature and art to music and performance. This fosters analytical thinking and enhances your understanding of diverse perspectives, valuable assets in collaborative work environments.
- Analysis of Scientific Literature: You will learn to interpret and analyze scientific literature, enabling you to engage with research, understand technical advancements, and apply evidence-based reasoning – skills highly sought after in technical and professional careers.
Enhancing Problem-Solving Capabilities:
- Process Identification: You will learn to identify and understand processes, breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. This systematic approach is fundamental to efficiency and effectiveness in any job role.
- Problem Analysis: General Education will train you to analyze problems methodically, identifying root causes and potential obstacles – a critical skill for innovation and overcoming challenges in your career.
- Results Interpretation: You will develop the ability to interpret results and data, drawing meaningful conclusions and making informed decisions based on evidence – essential for data-driven problem-solving in modern workplaces.
- Strategic Solution Recommendation: You will learn to recommend appropriate strategies and solutions based on your analysis, demonstrating your ability to contribute practical and effective solutions to real-world problems.
Mastering Effective Communication:
- Subject-Appropriate Communication: You will learn to communicate clearly and accurately about various subjects, tailoring your language and style to the topic at hand – essential for conveying technical information or professional insights.
- Audience-Appropriate Communication: You will develop the skill to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, adapting your message to suit different backgrounds and perspectives – crucial for teamwork, client interactions, and professional networking.
- Medium-Appropriate Communication: You will learn to choose the most effective communication medium for your message, whether it’s written, verbal, or digital, ensuring your message is received clearly and impactful – vital in today’s multi-channel communication environment.
In conclusion, General Education at A-B Tech is not a detour from your career aspirations but a direct pathway to enhancing your potential. It’s the bedrock upon which you build specialized skills gained in programs like the A-B Tech career pilot program. By embracing General Education, you are investing in a well-rounded skill set that will empower you to excel in your chosen career and navigate the complexities of the professional world with confidence and competence.
