Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pathway Degree with Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Concentration, A.A.


Academic Program Code: P09

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree Pathway with a concentration in Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies is designed for those students who are still deciding which specific area within this Pathway they would like to study or for those who intend to transfer in a related area for which GRCC does not offer an academic program of study.  Students who have decided on an academic program within the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway offered at GRCC should select that program and follow the coursework plan outlined in that program.

Students who graduate from this program will earn an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC and may be eligible to earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) credential.  The coursework needed to complete this program is listed below.  The highest priority courses are listed in order and are organized to give students both an opportunity to explore the field and complete general education requirements for the degree.  The open elective coursework allows students the opportunity to work with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to select courses and create an individualized transfer plan. Transfer plans are created by identifying an academic program at a 4-year institution, and choosing general education and elective courses that will allow the student to complete the first two years of that academic program at GRCC.  It is recommended that students select an academic program and/or transfer institution as early as possible to minimize taking unnecessary coursework.

Degree Notes


In order to fulfill the GRCC General Education requirements for this degree, students must complete at least 30 credit hours of coursework through the following course requirements:

  • EN 101 English Composition I AND [EN 102 English Composition II OR COM 131 Fundamentals of Public Speaking OR COM 135 Interpersonal Communication];
  • 2 Humanities General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas;
  • 2 Social Sciences General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas;
  • 1 Mathematics General Education Elective (must meet MTA requirements);
  • 1 Lab Science General Education Elective AND 1 Lab or Non Lab Science General Education Elective.  The Natural Sciences General Education courses must be from two (2) different subject areas.

Students are eligible to receive the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) on their GRCC transcript, if they meet the requirements of the MTA (30 credits of the General Education requirements listed above and grade of “C” or Higher in each course used to meet the MTA).  Students enrolled in the A.A. program are encouraged to seek advising to determine course selections and admission requirements of their transfer institution.  When making the decision to select EN 102 , COM 131 , or COM 135 , consider the program requirements at GRCC or transfer institution.

Guidance for Students - Priority I


Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester: for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II courses.

Academic Placements

  • If you are required to take CLS 100 or PY 100, you should take it in your first semester at GRCC.
  • You should select your math course based on your ALEKS placement score and the Academic Pathway requirement.
  • If you are placed into an IRW course, you should take it your first semester at GRCC.
  • If you are required to take IRW 097, you are able to take COM 131  at the same time.
  • If you are required to take IRW 098, you are able to take COM 131 , COM 135 , or [101 or 102] Foreign Language at the same time.
  • If you are required to take IRW 099/EN 101, you are able to take COM 131 , COM 135 , COM 235 , COM 236 , COM 250 , EN 247 , EN 248 , JR 251 , JR 266 , or [101, 102, 231, or 232] Foreign Language at the same time.

Priority I Courses


Multimedia Journalism


Communication Studies


Writing & English Literature


Guidance for Students - Priority II


After completing the Priority I courses, you should consider if the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway still meets your education and career goals and then make one of the following choices:

  • If this Academic Pathway is still matching your education and career goals, please review the GRCC academic programs that are aligned with this Pathway and decide if one of these programs meets your needs. If so, please initiate a Change of Academic Program and select courses that are part of that academic program.
  • If this Academic Pathway is still meeting your education and career goals, but GRCC does not have an academic program that aligns with your transfer intent, you should stay in this Academic Pathway and meet with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to map out future coursework.
  • If you are still deciding and want to remain in the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway, please take the Priority II courses. If you are unable to enroll in Priority II courses, move to and select from the list of Priority III courses. 
  • If you decide that the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway no longer meets your goals, please review the other Academic Pathways to find an option that better meets your needs (or meet with your advisor to discuss options). Please initiate a Change of Academic Program once you have decided on a new Pathway.

Priority II Courses


Select a Humanities General Education or Foreign Language General Education Elective other than what was selected in Priority I.  Only one (1) Foreign Language course may be used to meet the Humanities General Education requirement.

Guidance for Students - Priority III


After completing the Priority II courses, you should consider if the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway still meets your goals and make one of the following choices:

  • If this Academic Pathway is still matching your education and career goals, please review the GRCC academic programs that are aligned with this Pathway and decide if one of these programs meets your needs. If so, please initiate a Change of Academic Program and select courses that are part of that academic program.
  • If this Academic Pathway is still meeting your education and career goals, but GRCC does not have an academic program that aligns with your transfer intent, you should stay in this Academic Pathway and meet with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to map out future coursework.
  • If you are still deciding, but want to remain in the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway, please take Priority III courses. If you are unable to enroll in Priority III courses, meet with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to start planning priority IV coursework. 
  • If you decide that the Humanities, English, Language, and Communication Studies Pathway no longer meets your goals, please review the other Academic Pathways to find an option that better meets your needs (or meet with your advisor to discuss options). Please initiate a Change of Academic Program once you have decided on a new Pathway.

Priority III Courses


The courses in Priority III must be completed in order to graduate from this program; however, they do not need to be taken in the same semester.  Please select a Social Sciences General Education Elective other than what was selected in Priority II. 

Priority IV Courses


Once you have selected your Priority I, II, and III courses, you can take other GRCC courses to complete your degree.  For maximum transferability, all courses should be chosen based on your identified program or major at the specific four-year institution you plan to attend.  The number of elective credit hours you will need to take will depend on the number of credit hours you complete in the first three Priority levels.

Total Credit Hours


60