General Education at Pensacola State College provides the student with a broad range of knowledge and skills that have enduring value, no matter what path in life a student pursues. The foundation built through the general education courses prepares individuals not only for a baccalaureate or associate degree but for lifelong learning as well.
All baccalaureate and associate degree programs at the College include a general education component, which is a substantial part of each degree. Thirty-six credit hours of general education courses are required in the Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and the Associate in Arts degree. Associate in Science degrees require a minimum of 15 college credit hours of general education courses.
The general education requirements at Pensacola State College are designed to ensure breadth of knowledge. Coursework in Communications, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences is required. No course in the general education program may narrowly focus on skills, techniques, or procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession; instead, general education courses serve as an introduction to a wide range of knowledge and a broad overview of various disciplines and subject matters.
Global Learning Outcomes
Each student who completes the general education program at Pensacola State College will have achieved the following outcomes:
- CRITICAL THINKING: Evaluate the validity of ideas, principles, or data according to logically consistent standards.
- COMMUNICATION: Effectively communicate knowledge and ideas.
- SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL LITERACY: Properly identify and apply scientific or mathematical principles and methods.
- INFORMATION LITERACY: Effectively locate, evaluate, and apply information from a variety of sources.
- CULTURAL LITERACY: Demonstrate an understanding of human culture and its diversity.
Associate in Science Degrees With Embedded Technical Certificates
Associate in Science degree programs are designed to prepare students for immediate entry or advancement into employment requiring specialized skills. The programs consist of at least sixty (60) credits in two basic areas. One area is specialized courses in the career area, and the second is General Education courses. General Education courses help students become well-rounded individuals capable of thinking and acting as mature, educated, and enlightened citizens.
Students working toward an Associate in Science degree are not necessarily preparing for transfer to a university. Earning one of the degrees prepares students for a career that requires study beyond high school but does not require a four year degree. Students who have earned an Associate in Science degree may be qualified to enter into a bachelor’s degree program at Pensacola State College. Students deciding to attend a university may be required to do additional work at the freshman or sophomore level. Students are encouraged to discuss career plans and seek advising assistance from a program contact or department head identified for each program.
Technical Certificates (or College Credit Certificates) consist of courses embedded in an Associate in Science degree and prepare a student for immediate employment. These certificates are listed with the associated Associate in Science degree.
General Education Requirements
Minimum Grades
The Associate in Science student must maintain an overall average GPA of 2.0 or higher in work completed at Pensacola State College and must earn a minimum grade of C or better in each course meeting a general education communications requirement and in each mathematics course meeting the general education requirement. If any work has been attempted at any other institution of higher education, the grades earned at the other institution(s) combined with those grades earned at Pensacola State College must also result in a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Additionally, some individual programs require a minimum C grade in specific general education courses.
Non-Traditional Credits
The Associate in Science student may not earn more than 9 of his or her general education course credits through non-traditional means. Non-traditional credits include: credits earned through CLEP, departmental exemption exams, or PLA, and all other credits described in Non-Traditional Credits section.
Course Requirements
The student pursuing an Associate in Science degree must complete 15 college credits of general education coursework as indicated in the following table. The basic general education requirements for Associate in Science degree programs are listed below; however, certain degree programs have specified courses required to meet the general education requirements. Please refer to the degree plans on the following pages for more information.
| General Education Category |
College Credits Required |
| Communications |
Semester Hours: 3 credit hours |
| Humanities |
Semester Hours: 3 credit hours |
| Mathematics |
Semester Hours: 3 credit hours |
| Natural Sciences |
Semester Hours: 3 credit hours |
| Social Sciences |
Semester Hours: 3 credit hours |
Communications (3 Credit Hours) A.S.
Required Communication Course
Humanities (3 Credit Hours) A.S.
Mathematics (3 Credit Hours) A.S.
Courses listed below are or-higher and may be used to satisfy the Core.
Natural Sciences (3 Credit Hours) A.S.
Social Sciences (3 Credit Hours) A.S.
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