General Education Courses

All degree programs at YCCC include a minimum of 15 credit common core of 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 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 open-ended problems.

Core Substitutions

Specific requirements for each degree program are published in the Program Description. Substitutions for general education core courses must come from the same category and be documented in writing by your program Advisor, Department Chair and approved by the Registrar. The following program descriptions and requirements apply to YCCC students enrolled as of fall 2003. Final grades, acceptance of transfer credits, and the awarding of degrees or certificates must be officially approved by and processed through the Registrar’s Office.  

Program Recommendations

Program options have recommended secondary school course prerequisites. However, most prerequisites may be met through developmental coursework at YCCC. The admissions staff will be happy to help students review their plan for meeting admission’s requirements. In addition to any specific program prerequisites, satisfactory reading, writing, and math skills are required for all applicants.

Prerequisites

Department Chairs may, on an individual student basis, waive a prerequisite for a course offered by their department. Students who register for a course and do not pass, nor have permission to waive the prerequisite, are expected to drop the course, if they do not the college may administratively withdraw them from the course.  

Recommended Course/Program Sequence

YCCC has outlined an ideal sequence of coursework for full-time students who begin in a traditional fall semester. Please note that some courses will only be offered in either the fall or the spring semester, as indicated in the outlines, but not in both. Part-time students and students who enter a degree program during the spring or summer semesters will usually need more than four semesters to complete their degrees, and should work carefully with their advisors to take into consideration the sequence of course offerings and course prerequisites.