General Studies (A.A.) Manchester

https://manchester.unh.edu/program/aa/general-studies

The associate of arts in general studies offers students academic flexibility in a program that combines the foundations of a liberal arts education and elective courses that satisfy personal interests. The A.A. in general studies is the first two years of a baccalaureate program, and all 400-level courses transfer to and fulfill the University's Discovery requirements. Students who earn an A.A. in general studies have a foundation for continued study in any major while they develop problem-solving skills, cognitive skills, and learning techniques that are vital to a lifetime of learning. Many students begin their college study in the A.A. general studies program. Depending on personal interests and academic goals, students may choose to apply to a baccalaureate degree program prior to completion of the A.A. degree.

For more information, contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 64 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 16 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery Program

Major, Option, and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

 

Major Requirements

To graduate with an associate of arts degree in general studies, students must complete 64 credits, earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and fulfill two types of requirements: University Discovery Program and degree requirements. The program includes nine courses from the Discovery Program core curriculum. Working with their advisors, students enhance their program of study with elective courses where they can explore their interests and possible baccalaureate degree majors. The last 16 credit hours must be UNH courses completed following admission and matriculation, unless permission is granted to transfer coursework from another institution.

Discovery Foundations
Two writing-intensive courses, one of which must be:8
First-Year Writing
One course in quantitative reasoning (must be completed within the first 32 credits)4
One Inquiry or Inquiry attribute course (must be completed within the first 25 credits)4
Discovery Categories
Two courses from two of the following categories (one must be a lab course):8
Biological Science
Physical Science
Environment, Technology, and Society
One course in Historical Perspectives4
One course in World Cultures or Fine and Performing Arts4
One course in Social Science4
One course in Humanities4
Completion of the Interdisciplinary Core Requirement (may also fill the Humanities category requirement)4
Humanities I
Humanities II
Elective courses20
Total Credits64

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
UMST 401
First Year Seminar
or Transfer Seminar
1-2
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits17-18
Spring
Quantitative Reasoning Course 4
HUMA 411
Humanities I
or Humanities II
4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits65-66
  • Students who earn an A.A. in general studies have a foundation for continued study in any major while they develop problem-solving skills, cognitive skills, and learning techniques that are vital to a lifetime of learning.