Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pathway Degree with Computer Information Systems Concentration, A.A.


Academic Program Code: P10

This Pathway Program with a concentration in Computer Information Systems is designed for those students who are still deciding which specific area within the Academic 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.  Students who have decided on an academic program within the Academic 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 open elective courses that will allow the student to complete the first two years of that 4-year 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.

Academic Placements


Students with academic placements should follow these guidelines when selecting coursework for Priority I.

College Readiness:  College Learning Studies:  New Student Experience (CLS 100) or Strategies for College and Life Success (PY 100) must be taken in the first semester at GRCC.

Math:  Math courses should be selected based on ALEKS placement score.

Reading/Writing:  Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) courses should be taken in the first semester at GRCC. See the table below for courses that can be taken with IRW courses.

IRW 97 COM 131 , CIS 100 , CIS 103 , CIS 120  
IRW 98 COM 131 , COM 135 , CIS 100 , CIS 103 , CIS 116 , CIS 120 , CIS 129 , CIS 132 , CIS 135 , CIS 148 , CIS 175 , CIS 176  
IRW 99/EN 101 COM 131 , COM 135 , CIS 100 , CIS 103 , CIS 116 , CIS 120 , CIS 129 , CIS 132 , CIS 135 , CIS 148 , CIS 175 , CIS 176  

Priority I


Students should select courses from the Priority I list based on the number of credits they wish to take during the semester. If students are unable to schedule Priority I courses they should move to and select from the list of Priority II courses. 

When selecting a math course, students should consider the requirements at GRCC or their transfer institution.

Priority I Elective Options


Students should select two (2) electives from either Software Development; Infrastructure, Operations, and Security; or Web Design and Graphics Software courses below, based on their education and career interests.

Infrastructure, Operations, and Security


Web Design and Graphics Software


Priority II Courses


After completing the Priority I courses, students should consider if this Pathway Program still meets their education and career goals. 

  • If a student wishes to move into a specific academic program, they should initiate this change using the Declaration of Academic Program in the student Online Center and begin taking the courses in the academic program.
  • Students who wish to remain in this Pathway Program or who are still deciding on an academic program should take the Priority II courses listed below.

When making the decision to select EN 102 , COM 131 , or COM 135 , consider the program requirements at GRCC or transfer institution.

Priority II Elective Options


Students should select two (2) electives from either Software Development; Infrastructure, Operations, and Security; or Web Design and Graphics Software courses below, based on their education and career interests (must be different than the courses selected in Priority I).

Priority III


After completing the Priority II courses, students should consider if this Pathway Program still meets their education and career goals.

  • If a student wishes to move into a specific academic program, they should initiate this change using the Declaration of Academic Program in the student Online Center and begin taking the courses in the academic program.
  • If students want to remain in this Pathway Program and are still deciding on an academic program they should take the Priority III courses listed below.
  • At this point, it is very important that students work with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to get help with course selection and to map out their future coursework based on their academic and career goals.

Students should select the Priority III Humanities, Social Sciences, and Lab or Non Lab Natural Sciences General Education Electives from subject areas other than what were chosen in Priority I or II. 

Degree Completion & Graduation


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;
  • 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 Sciences General Education Elective and 1 Lab or Non Lab Sciences General Education Elective.  Must be from two (2) different subject areas.

Once students have completed the general education and course requirements outlined in Priorities I, II, and III, they should take the following steps:

  1. Review progress towards academic program completion in My Degree Path.
  2. Ensure they have declared the correct academic program and have the correct catalog year.
  3. Work with a GRCC faculty member or advisor to identify and complete the remaining requirements and open elective coursework needed to graduate from GRCC and to transfer to a 4-year institution. 
  4. Apply to graduate.

Total Credit Hours


60