Develop skills in problem-solving, communication and cognition — vital to a lifetime of learning and as a foundation for continued study in any bachelor's degree program
What is general studies?
Rather than focusing on a specific course of study, general studies provides students with a well-rounded set of core courses in a variety of areas. General studies provides breadth and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for students who want to explore their academic options.
Why choose general studies at UNH Manchester?
The A.A. in general studies at UNH Manchester allows you to tailor your academics to your specific interests by combining the foundations of a liberal arts education with a wide variety of elective courses. This program offers a foundation for continued study in any major while developing your problem-solving, communication and cognitive skills—all of which are vital to a lifetime of learning. This program fulfills the first two years of a baccalaureate program, preparing you to seamlessly transfer into a bachelor’s degree program at UNH Manchester should you choose to pursue one.
Potential career areas
- Arts and humanities
- Business
- Education
- Finance
- Public service
- Sales and marketing
Curriculum & Requirements
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.
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
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| UMST 401 or UMST 402 | First Year Seminar or Transfer Seminar | 1-2 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning Course | 4 | |
| HUMA 411 or HUMA 412 | Humanities I or Humanities II | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 65-66 | |
Degree Requirements
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Foundations | ||
| Two writing-intensive courses, one of which must be: | 8 | |
ENGL 401 | 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 Perspectives | 4 | |
| One course in World Cultures or Fine and Performing Arts | 4 | |
| One course in Social Science | 4 | |
| One course in Humanities | 4 | |
| Completion of the Interdisciplinary Core Requirement (may also fill the Humanities category requirement) | 4 | |
HUMA 411 | Humanities I | |
or HUMA 412 | Humanities II | |
| Elective courses | 20 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Explore Program Details
The Engineering Access Program (EAP) is a cooperative effort of shared resources between UNH Manchester, NHTI and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) at UNH in Durham. EAP gives students a path to a UNH bachelor of science degree in physics or chemical, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering through a two-stage, articulated transfer process.
UNH Manchester students enter their freshman year as an 'undeclared' bachelor's degree candidate or an associate in arts in general studies candidate. During freshman year, most program requirements are completed at the Manchester campus, with potentially some courses at NHTI in Concord. Upon completing all freshman course requirements and satisfying required achievement standards, students can transfer to their desired CEPS program and complete their sophomore, junior and senior years at the university's Durham campus.