Associate of General Studies
An Associate of General Studies from Fort Hays State University is designed to allow currently enrolled FHSU students whose personal and professional plans have evolved during their time at the university to engage in focused study in one of fourteen emphasis areas, building upon the work they have already done while developing specialized skills that will prepare them either for a four-year college degree or a professional career.
Program Requirements for the Associate of General Studies
The AGS program is an excellent choice for the person who would like to return to earn his or her college degree.
To earn an Associate of General Studies degree, you will only need to complete 60 credit hours. The degree allows for 14 hours of free electives and 12 hours in your area of emphasis. (The Associate of General Studies with an emphasis in Massage Therapy requires the completion of the 32-hour massage therapy certificate).
General Requirements
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0.
- A minimum of 15 credit hours of graded coursework from FHSU.
Concentration Requirements
- Area of Concentration (12 Credit Hours)
All students completing an Associate of General Studies must fulfill the requirements of a 12-credit-hour concentration [An emphasis in Massage Therapy requires the completion of the 32 hour massage therapy certificate|. For details about concentrations, see the Associate of General Studies Areas of Concentration webpage.
General Education Requirements
Recent changes to the FHSU General Education Program have necessitated changes to the general education requirements for the AGS.
Students starting the AGS program in Fall 2024 or later must complete the newly revised FHSU General Education Program.
Students who have already begun the AGS program and have continuous enrollment at FHSU can choose to complete the newly revised FHSU General Education program or the AGS General Education Requirements in place when they started.
Students who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree upon obtaining the AGS are encouraged to discuss those plans with their advisor. Many programs have courses required that can be chosen for the General Education and free elective options.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FHSU General Education Program | ||
| ENG 101 & ENG 102 | English Composition I and English Composition II | 6 |
| COMM 100 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 304 | Intermediate Interpersonal Communication | |
| Mathematics Discipline Area 1 | 3 | |
| Natural & Physical Sciences Discipline Area 1, 2 | 4 | |
| Arts & Humanities Discipline Area (2 courses from different disciplines) 1 | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area (2 courses from different disciplines) 1 | 6 | |
| Personal & Professional Development Area 1 | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking Area 1 | 3 | |
| Area of Emphasis | ||
| Select 12 Hours of courses 3 | 12 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 14 hours of courses | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
See General Education Document for course list.
- 2
1 lab and 1 lecture course or 1 lecture/lab combination course.
- 3
The Associate of General Studies with an emphasis in Massage Therapy requires the completion of the 32 hour massage therapy certificate.
Degree Requirements
All associate degrees require:
GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set)
A minimum of 15 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| SGE010 - English Discipline Area GE | ||
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area GE | ||
| MATH 101 | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| SGE020 - Communication Discipline Area GE | ||
| COMM 100 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development GE | ||
| INF 101 |
Introduction to Computer Information Systems or Principles of Personal Finance or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Personal Wellness or Holistic Health and Fitness or Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| UNIV 101 | Freshman Seminar FS | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SGE010 - English Discipline Area GE | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area GE | 3 | |
| SGE040 - Natural Physical Science Discipline Area GE | 4 | |
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area GE | ||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area | 3 | |
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking | ||
| PHIL 100 |
Critical Thinking or Historical Roots of Contemporary Issues or Critical Thinking for Scientists or Thinking Critically About Society |
3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- FS
UNIV 101 is required of students who enter FHSU as first time students within one year of HS graduation. If the course is not required an additional hour of open elective classwork will need to be completed to reach the minimum hours required.
- GE
General Education course area. For the full list of course options see the General Education section.
- 1
Recommended General Education Course. This course must be taken within the major requirements or is a pre-requisite to a required course and students are recommended to apply to general education. Students who elect to apply this course will need to take an equal number of additional open electives to meet the minimum hour requirement.
- 2
Required General Education course. Students in this major are required to take this course as part of their General Education.
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.