General Education at YCCC The mission of the General Education component of each degree program at YCCC is integral to the educational and professional development of students. Students undertake General Education studies in a variety of disciplines and fields, including communications, humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral studies, natural sciences, and mathematics, in order to:

• Seek self-fulfillment;
• Pursue lifelong learning;
• Develop awareness of their communities, region, and world;
• Succeed in the workplace.

General Education courses also provide students opportunities to develop competencies identified by employers, educators, and students as critical for success across a range of personal, professional, and technical endeavors. Skills and competencies that students develop through core courses are integrated and reinforced in other general education and technical courses across the curriculum.

General Education Requirements Requirements for the number of General Education credits vary between the AAS, AS, and AA degrees.

Associate in Applied Science Degrees Students enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs must complete a minimum of 20 credits in General Education, including:

• 12 credits in communication skills, the arts and humanities, and the social sciences;
• 8 credits in mathematics and/or science.

Associate in Science Degrees Students enrolled in Associate in Science (AS) degree programs must complete a minimum of 30 credits in General Education, including:

• 12-18 credits in communications, the arts and humanities, and the social sciences;
• 8-12 credits in mathematics and/or science.

The specific requirements are documented in the “Programs of Study” published for each degree.

General Education Core Areas

All degree programs at YCCC include a minimum of 15 credits common core in general education courses designed to assure that students have the opportunity to attain the skills, knowledge, qualities, and goals outlined in the four core areas of Communications, Humanities, Behavioral and Social Studies, and Mathematics and Science. These credits are included in the minimum number of general education credits required for your degree program. Each academic degree program has been designed to include 15 credits from the following four Core categories.

Core I. Communications - 6 credits required in all programs

Courses in Core I: Communications focus on developing communication skills in writing and speaking. All courses include explicit instruction in writing and/or oral communication. Some courses provide instruction in research skills; all include activities or assignments that require research.

Core II. Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 credits required in all programs

Studying the humanities and fine arts helps students to develop critical and analytical skills. Core II courses also enable students to gain appreciation for aesthetics and the diversity of human experience. Courses in this category are intended to expose students to varied forms of expression in foreign languages and the humanities (fine arts, literature, philosophy). Core II courses also develop student skills in research, problem solving, and communication through a variety of writing, research and presentation activities, and assignments.

Core III. Behavioral and Social Studies - 3 credits required in all programs

In Core III courses, students examine theories of human development, behavior, and interaction. Attention is paid to forces (psychological, social, technological, economic, historical, and political) that define us as individuals, communities, and nations. These courses, thus, help students to develop an appreciation for human diversity and an enhanced global perspective. A variety of assignments, activities, and projects develop student skills in writing, speaking, research, teamwork, and problem solving.

Core IV. Mathematics and Science - 3 credits in mathematics required in all programs

Courses in Core IV help to provide students the mathematical, scientific, analytical, and critical thinking skills they will need in their programs of study and in everyday living. Core IV courses also help students to work independently and collaboratively to solve quantitative and openended problems.