General Studies

The Smart Start to a Bachelor’s Degree

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) is the smart start to earning a bachelor degree. During the two-year program, students earn 60 credits. They take similar general education courses as freshman and sophomores at a university (only the classes are much smaller than a typical university lecture hall class).

Graduates of the A.A. can go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree at The College of the Florida Keys or transfer to another college or university. CFK has “2+2” partnerships with all of Florida’s 12 public and 31 independent universities, as well as a dozen other institutions—making it easy to take the next step.

Think Ahead. Plan Ahead.

A.A. students are encouraged to think ahead from the very beginning. Your academic advisor will help you develop a Career Pathway/Bachelor’s Degree Plan, which will align your elective courses to the major in which you intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind that there may be additional requirements and prerequisite courses that exceed 60 credits, so it is important that you work with your advisor and consult the CFK catalog.

Associate in Arts Degree Requirements

To earn an Associate in Arts degree students must earn sixty (60) credits. Students must complete thirtysix (36) credit hours of general education courses (Area I–VI) and 18–19 credit hours of elective course work (Area VII), 3 credit hours of Computer Competency (Area VIII), and 2–3 credit hours of College Success (Area IX).

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree (36 credit hours)

Area I: Letters Requirements (6 credit hours)

A grade of “C” or higher is required in order to satisfy F.A.C. 6A-10.030 requirements.

Core Communication Requirements (6 credit hours)

The following courses each require significant college level writing that conforms to the requirements of F.A.C. 6A-10.030 (Other Assessment Procedures for College-Level Communication and Computation Skills).

ENC 1101 – English Composition I (3)
ENC 1102 – English Composition II (3)
Any course with an ENC prefix for which and ENC 1101 course is a prerequisite (i.e. English Composition II)

Optional Communication (Optional Communication courses count towards General Education Electives)

SPC 1608 – Intro to Speech Communication (3)

Area II: Humanities Requirements (6 credit hours)

The following courses each require demonstration of college–level writing skills through multiple assignments and apply to F.A.C. 6A-10.030 writing requirement.

Core Humanities Requirements (choose 3 at least credit hours)

HUM 1020 – Intro to Humanities (3)
PHI 2010 – Intro to Philosophy (3)
ARH 1000 – Art Appreciation (3)
MUL 1010 – Music Appreciation (3)

Optional Humanities

ARH 1050 – Art History Ancient to 1400 (3)
ARH 1051 – Art History 1400 to present (3)
CRW 1001 – Creative Writing (3)
CRW 1300 – Beginning Poetry Writing (3)
CRW 2100 – Beginning Fiction Writing (3)
ENG 1300 – Writing About Film (3)
HUM 2250 – Humanities of the 20th Century (3)
LIT 2020 – Introduction to Short Fiction (3)
LIT 2380 – Women in Literature (3)
PHI 2600 – Intro to Ethics (3)
REL 2240 – New Testament Survey (3)
REL 2300 – World Religions (3)

Area III: Mathematics Requirements (6 credit hours)

A grade of “C” or higher is required in order to satisfy F.A.C. 6A-10.030 requirements.

Core Mathematics Requirements (choose at least 3 credit hours)

MAC 1105 – College Algebra (3)
MAC 2311 – Calculus I (4)
MGF 1106 – Math for Liberal Arts I (3)
STA 2023 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics I (3)
Any course for which a Core General Education Mathematics course is the immediate prerequisite 94

Optional Mathematics

MAC 1147 – Pre Calculus/Trigonometry (4)
MAC 2233 – Calculus for Business Majors (3)
MAC 2312 – Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (4)

Area IV: Natural Science (6 credits required)

Core Natural Science Requirements (choose at least 3 credit hours)

AST 1002 – Astronomy (3)
BSC 1005 – Survey of Biological Science (3)
BSC 1010 – Principles of Biology I (3)
BSC 1085 – Anatomy and Physiology I (3)
CHM 1045 – General Chemistry I (3)
PHY 1053C – General Physics I (4)
Any course for which a Core General Education Natural Science course is the immediate prerequisite

Optional Natural Science

BSC 1011 – Principles of Biology II (3)
BSC 1086 – Anatomy and Physiology II (3)
CHM 1046 – General Chemistry II (3)
MET 1010 – Intro to Meteorology (3)
OCB 1000- Introduction to Marine Biology (3)
OCE 1001- Introduction to Oceanography (3)
PCB 2030 – Environmental Biology (3)

Area V: Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits required)

Core Social Science Requirements (choose at least 3 credit hours)

AMH 2020 – History of the United States, 1876 to 1945 (3)
ECO 2013 – Macroeconomics (3)
POS 1041 – National Government (3)
PSY 2012 – General Psychology (3)
SYG 1000 – Introduction to Sociology (3)
Optional Social Science AMH 2010 – History of the United States to 1876 (3)
AMH 2030 – Contemporary US History (3)
DEP 2004 – Human Growth & Development (3)
ECO 2023 – Microeconomics (3)
POS 1001 – Introduction to Political Science (3)
WOH 1012 – World History I (3)
WOH 1022 – World History II (3)

Area VI: Additional General Education Credits Requirements (6 credit hours)

Six (6) Credits from any of the above General Education Core or Optional courses

95 Area VII: Elective Requirements (18–19 credit hours)

This requirement may be met by selecting courses listed in the course description section of catalog. Do not choose courses that are not ordinarily counted in the AA degree. It is recommended that students select electives appropriate to their intended major.

Other Degree Requirements

Area VIII: Computer Competency* (3 credit hours)

CGS 1000 – Introduction to Computer Science (3)
CGS 1010 – Computer Applications in Education (3)
CGS 1100 – Introduction to Computer Applications (3)
COP 1220C – C Programming (3)
COP 1332 – Visual Basic (4)
COP 2221 – Intermediate Programming in C (3)
COP 2334C – Object Oriented Programming in C++ (3)
COT 2003 – Foundations of Computer Science (4)
EME 2040C – Technology in Education (3)
LIS 2004 – Introduction to Internet Research (1)

*Students may test out of Computer Competency by passing appropriate approved competency assessment.

Area IX: College Success Competency (2–3 credit hours)

SLS 1101 – Preparing for Student Success (3)
SLS 1261 – Student Leadership (2)
SLS 1106 – First Year Experience Orientation (2)
Other SLS College Credit Courses

Total Credits Required: 60

Semester Plan (Business)

Fall First Year Full Time (12 credits)

ENC 1101, English Composition I: 3 credits
MAC 1105, College Algebra: 3 credits
GEB 1011, Introduction to Business: 3 credits
SLS 1101, College Success: 3 credits

Spring First Year Full Time (12 credits)

ENC 1102, English Composition II: 3 credits
Humanities: chose one: MUL 1010, Music Appreciation, ARH 1000, Art Appreciation, HUM 1020, Introduction to Humanities or PHI 2010, Introduction to Philosophy: 3 credits
AMH 2020, History of US, or POS 1041, National Government: 3 credits
*Elective: 3 credits

Summer First Year (6 credits)

Natural Science: choose one from Astronomy, Survey of Biology, Principles of Biology (lab required), Anatomy & Physiology I (lab required), General Chemistry 1, General Physics 1
CGS 1100, Computer Applications: 3 credits

Fall Second Year Full Time (15 credits)

ACG 2021, Financial Accounting: 3 credits
STA 2023, Introduction to Probability and Statistics: 3 credits
ECO 2013, Macroeconomics: 3 credits
Humanities: choose one: ARH 1050, Art History Ancient to 1400, ARH 1051, Art History 1400 to present, CRW 1001 ,Creative Writing , CRW 1300, Beginning Poetry Writing, CRW 2100, Beginning Fiction Writing, ENG 1300, Writing About Film, HUM 2250, Humanities of the 20th Century, LIT 2020, Introduction to Short Fiction, LIT 2380, Women in Literature, PHI 2600, Intro to Ethics, REL 2240, New Testament Survey, REL 2300, World Religions
*Elective

Spring Second Year Full time (15 credits)

ACG 2071, Managerial Accounting: 3 credits
MAC 2233, Calculus for Business Majors: 3 credits
ECO 2023, Microeconomics: 3 credits
* Elective: 3 credits
Natural science: choose one from: BSC 1011, Principles of Biology II (lab required), BSC 1086 – Anatomy and Physiology II (lab required), CHM 1046, General Chemistry II (lab required), MET 1010 – Intro to Meteorology, OCB 1000, Introduction to Marine Biology, OCE 1001, Introduction to Oceanography, PCB 2030, Environmental Biology

*Suggested Business electives: MAR 2011, Principles of Marketing or BUL 2241, Business Law or ENT 1000, Entrepreneurship, two semesters of a Foreign Language

Potential Careers (takes user to a list of careers via ONET)

https://www.onetonline.org/find/quick?s=business

Semester Plan (Criminal Justice)

Fall First Year Full Time (12 credits)

ENC 1101, English Composition I: 3 credits
CCJ 1010, Introduction to Criminology (1 out of 6 elective options)
CGS 1100, Computer Applications: 3 credits
SLS 1101, Preparing for College Success: 3 credits

Spring First Year Full Time (12 Credits)

ENC 1102, English Composition II: 3 credits
College Math: choose one: MGF 1106, Math for Liberal Arts, or MAC 1105, College Algebra, or STA 2023, Introduction to Probability & Statistics: 3 credits
AMH 2020, History of U.S. or POS 1041, National Government: 3 credits
CCJ 1010, Introduction to the Criminal Justice System: 3 credits

Summer First Year (6 credits)

*Criminal Justice elective: 3 credits
Humanities: chose one: MUL 1010, Music Appreciation, ARH 1000, Art Appreciation, HUM 1020, Introduction to Humanities or PHI 2010, Introduction to Philosophy: 3 credits

Fall Second Year Full time (15 credits)

*Electives: choose 2 classes: 6 credits
College Math: choose one: MGF 1106, Math for Liberal Arts, or MAC 1105, College Algebra, or STA 2023, Introduction to Probability & Statistics: 3 credits
Natural Science: choose one from Astronomy, Survey of Biology, Principles of Biology (lab required), Anatomy & Physiology I (lab required), General Chemistry 1, General Physics: 3 credits
Social/Behavioral Science: choose one: AMH 2010, History of the United States to 1876, AMH 2030, Contemporary US History, DEP 2004, Human Growth & Development, ECO 2023, Microeconomics, POS 1001, Introduction to Political Science, WOH 1012, World History I, WOH 1022, World History II: 3 credits

Spring Second Year Full Time (15 credits)

*Criminal Justice elective: 3 credits
Humanities: choose one: ARH 1050, Art History Ancient to 1400, ARH 1051, Art History 1400 to present, CRW 1001 ,Creative Writing , CRW 1300, Beginning Poetry Writing, CRW 2100, Beginning Fiction Writing, ENG 1300, Writing About Film, HUM 2250, Humanities of the 20th Century, LIT 2020, Introduction to Short Fiction, LIT 2380, Women in Literature, PHI 2600, Intro to Ethics, REL 2240, New Testament Survey, REL 2300, World Religions: 3 credits
Natural science: choose one from: BSC 1011, Principles of Biology II (lab required), BSC 1086 – Anatomy and Physiology II (lab required), CHM 1046, General Chemistry II (lab required), MET 1010 – Intro to Meteorology, OCB 1000, Introduction to Marine Biology, OCE 1001, Introduction to Oceanography, PCB 2030, Environmental Biology: 3 credits
General Education Electives: choose 6 credits-see Degree audit or Academic Advisor for ideal selections for your transfer path.

*Criminal Justice elective choices:

CCJ 1010, Introduction to Criminology, CCJ 1020, Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, CCJ 2002, Crime in America, CCJ 2107, Crime and Public Policy, CCJ 2252, Critical Issues in Criminal Justice, CCJ 2618, Criminal Psychology, CCJ 2650, Narcotics and Dangerous Substances, CCJ 2720, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, CJE 1640, Introduction to Forensics, CJE 2600, Criminal Investigation

Semester Plan (Psychology)

Semester Plan Associate in Arts-Psychology Focus

Fall First Year Full Time (12 credits)

· ENC 1101, English Composition I: 3 credits

· MAC 1105, College Algebra or MGF 1106, Math for Liberal Arts: 3 credits

· CGS 1100, Computer Applications: 3 credits

· SLS 1101, Preparing for College Success: 3 credits

Spring First Year Full Time (12 credits)

· ENC 1102, English Composition II: 3 credits

· SYG 1000, Introduction to Sociology: 3 credits

· AMH 2020, History of U.S. 1876-1945 or POS 1041, National Government: 3 credits

· *Elective: 3 credits

Summer First Year (6 credits)

· *Elective: 3 credits

Humanities: chose one: MUL 1010, Music Appreciation, ARH 1000, Art Appreciation, HUM 1020, Introduction to Humanities or PHI 2010, Introduction to Philosophy: 3 credits

Fall Second Year Full Time (15 credits)

· STA 2023, Introduction to Probability & Statistics: 3 credits

· PSY 2012, General Psychology: 3 credits

Natural Science: choose one from Astronomy, Survey of Biology, Principles of Biology (lab required), Anatomy & Physiology I (lab required), General Chemistry 1, General Physics 1

· *Elective: 3-4 credits

Spring Second Year Full Time (15 credits)

· DEP 2004, Human Growth & Development: 3 credits

Natural science: choose one from: BSC 1011, Principles of Biology II (lab required), BSC 1086, Anatomy and Physiology II (lab required), CHM 1046, General Chemistry II (lab required), MET 1010, Intro to Meteorology, OCB 1000, Introduction to Marine Biology, OCE 1001, Introduction to Oceanography, PCB 2030, Environmental Biology.
Humanities: choose one: ARH 1050, Art History Ancient to 1400, ARH 1051, Art History 1400 to present, CRW 1001, Creative Writing, CRW 1300, Beginning Poetry Writing, CRW 2100, Beginning Fiction Writing, ENG 1300, Writing About Film, HUM 2250, Humanities of the 20th Century, LIT 2020, Introduction to Short Fiction, LIT 2380, Women in Literature, PHI 2600, Intro to Ethics, REL 2240, New Testament Survey, REL 2300, World Religions

· *Elective: 3 credits

Potential Careers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-4

*Recommended electives and General Education classes: PHI 2010, Introduction to Philosophy, PHI 2600, Introduction to Ethics, SPC 1608, Introduction to Speech Communication, BSC 1010, Principles of Biology I, BSC 1010L, Principles of Biology I lab, MAC 1147, Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, CCJ (Criminal Justice courses, if interested in that area of Psychology) SPN 1120C and SPN 1121C, (two semesters of Foreign Language, if not completed in high school, AMH course(s).

University Transfer Planning

What is an articulation agreement and what does it have to do with you?

As a student of The College of the Florida Keys, you have options as to where you would like to continue your academic career. The State of Florida already has an articulation agreement between community colleges and the twelve state universities (6A-10.024). This agreement states that any student who graduates with an A.A. Degree will be accepted to one of the twelve state universities. However, the articulation agreement does not guarantee that a student will be immediately accepted into the major of his/her choice within that university. In addition, the agreement guarantees acceptance into one of the state universities, but not necessarily the student’s first choice.

In addition to the agreement within the State University System, the College of the Florida Keys is partnering with many other institutions to expand student options for seamless transition. Articulation agreements are designed for students to transfer to a particular public or private university as a junior to complete a four-year bachelor degree in a specific major.

This site will give you information about all of The College of the Florida Keys’ articulation agreements with other institutions.

If you have specific questions regarding these agreements, please contact Dr. Michael McPherson, Vice President of Academic Affairs.