General Studies SAU Tech
Start Here. Transfer Anywhere. Build the Foundation for Any Degree.
The Associate of Arts (AA) in General Education at Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) provides students with a flexible, affordable path to complete the core college courses required for all bachelor's degree programs in Arkansas. Whether your goal is to transfer to a four-year university or explore multiple academic interests before choosing a major, this degree sets you up for success.
Fully transferable under Arkansas state law, this degree is accepted at any public four-year college or university in the state. With small class sizes, personal attention from instructors, and online availability, SAU Tech is the smart place to start your college journey.
Degree Type: Associate of General Studies, Associate of Arts
Transferability: 100% guaranteed to any Arkansas public university
Format: In Person or Online
Career Pathways for General Education Graduates
With an AA in General Education, students can pursue a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs, including:
- Business Administration
- Education
- Nursing or Allied Health
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- History or Political Science
- Sociology
- And many more
Earn an Associate Degree While Advancing in Your Profession
The Associate of General Studies at SAU Tech is designed for students who are currently completing or have completed professional certificate programs and want to build on that progress toward an associate degree. This flexible program combines general education core courses with technical or career-specific electives, creating a personalized path toward both academic advancement and career growth.
Students can tailor their course selections based on their current profession or area of interest, making this degree ideal for:
- Working adults seeking career advancement
- Students in technical fields who want to add general education for transfer or promotion
- Those looking to transition into a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year institution
Advising is key. Students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor and the institution they plan to transfer to to develop a degree plan that supports their long-term goals.
What You’ll Learn In General Education
Students complete general education courses in communication, humanities, mathematics, science, and social sciences, while also developing valuable critical thinking and technological skills that apply to every major or career path.
Focus areas available include:
- Psychology – Explore human behavior, development, and mental health
- Mathematics – Build problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
- Criminal Justice – Examine legal systems, criminology, and law enforcement
Program Goal
- The program will provide students the opportunity to expand knowledge of morality and ethics.
- The program will provide students the opportunity to develop skills to communicate effectively.
- The program will provide an opportunity for students to become knowledgeable and proficient in the use of information technology.
- The program will provide opportunities for students to acquire the necessary skills to think critically.
- The program will provide the opportunity for students to develop mathematical skills.
Program Learning Outcome
The applied ethics outcome involves two major components: 1) Understanding principles of normative and non-normative ethical theories, and 2) applying these principles in decision-making activities, including case studies and contemporary issues. Most character is explored in all its dimensions: virtues and vices, commitments and attitudes, personal relationships, and community involvement, in addition to right and wrong conduct.
The communication competency will enhance students' written and oral communication skills. Students will examine and show competency through the use of different types of communication appropriate in professional and academic settings. Students will assess what communication is appropriate for certain audiences and ethical issues that arise from communicating with others. Students will be able to effectively communicate through oral and written communication methods.
Critical thinking outcome is defined as a set of skills and strategies for making reasonable decisions about what we do and believe. These skills and strategies include understanding the use of thought and lanquage, recognizing the most common logical fallacies, and using the essential skills of deductive and inductive arguments analysis and evaluation. Students must demonstrate practical applications of critical thinking in academic disciplines.
Mathematical outcome enables students to efficiently process data and to learn new material in fields inside and outside of mathematics. Students will develop a knowledge base that allows logical reasoning and valid problem-solving techniques that can be applied in the student's personal and professional careers.
Historical, cultural, social, and global perspective:
a. Understand the complexities of the human experience in reference to sociological, cultural, historical, geographical, psychological, political, and/or economic events issues, and points of view.
b. Demonstrate a familiarity with the body of knowledge in the social science fields.
c. Acquire an appreciation for the art, history, politics, and philosophies of their own and other cultures.
d. Acquire the basic abilities within the social sciences to identify multiple perspectives, assess problems and advance solutions, and pursue inquiry and report results and/or opinions.
Why Choose SAU Tech for
General Education?
- Maximize affordability while completing your first two years of college
- Transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions like Southern Arkansas University, UCA, Arkansas Tech, and others
- Choose a focus area to explore your academic interests
- Take advantage of online learning options from anywhere in the state
- Join a welcoming campus community with on-campus housing and personalized support
General Education Program Overview
Degree Options:
Take the First Step Toward Your Associate Degree
Want to explore which emphasis is right for your future goals? Our advisors can help you plan a transfer path tailored to your interests.
Get In Touch:
Associate of General Studies and Associate of Arts
- Faculty:
Phillip Allison (History), pallison@sautech.edu, 870-574-4464
Christy Askea (Science). caskea@sautech.edu, 870-574-4465
Sandi Daniel (Math), sdaniel@sautech.edu, 870-574-4491
Dr. Velvet Easter (Social Science), vheaster@sautech.edu
Dr. Sara Landeverde (English), slandave@sautech.edu, 870-574-4425
Ashley Porter (Science), aporter@sautech.edu
Rebecca Hughes (Arts & Sciences), rhughes@sautech.edu, 870-574-4522
LaKiesha Shelton (Math), lshelton@sautech.edu, 870-574-4451
- Advisors:
Rebecca Hughes, rhughes@sautech.edu, 870-574-4522
LaKiesha Shelton, lshelton@sautech.edu, 870-574-4451
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Instruction: Jodi Eppinette, jeppinet@sautech.edu, 870-574-4584











