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.

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

Graduates can also use this degree to enter entry-level roles in customer service, administration, or education, while continuing their studies.

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Earn an Associate Degree While Advancing in Your Profession

The Associate of Arts in Professional 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 in order to build a degree plan that supports long term goals.

General Education Program Overview

Degree Options:

  • [AA in General Education]
  • [Certificate of General Studies] – Shorter version of the associate degree
  • Emphasis Options Available in:
  • [Psychology] – AA + [CP Psychology]
  • [History] – AA + [CP History]
  • [Mathematics] – AA + [CP Math]
  • [Criminal Justice] (see related programs)
  • [Religious Studies] (see related programs)

Transferability: 100% guaranteed to any Arkansas public university

Format: Available in-person and fully online

Student Life: Optional on-campus housing and college life experience

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
  • History – Study past events and their influence on today’s world
  • Mathematics – Build problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
  • Criminal Justice – Examine legal systems, criminology, and law enforcement
  • Religious Studies – Analyze religious traditions and their role in society

  • Program Goal

    The Associate of Arts in General Education program is designed to:


    Expand student understanding of ethics and morality


    Strengthen written, oral, and interpersonal communication


    Increase proficiency in information technology


    Develop the ability to think critically and solve problems


    Build a solid base in mathematical reasoning and quantitative literacy



  • Program Learning Outcome

    Students completing this program will:


    Ethics: Understand and apply ethical theories to real-life decisions and community involvement


    Communication: Demonstrate effective writing, speaking, and interpersonal communication skills


    Information Technology: Use modern tools to research, analyze, and ethically apply digital resources


    Critical Thinking: Apply logic and reason to assess problems and formulate sound conclusions


    Mathematical Reasoning: Use math to analyze data and support decisions in academic and everyday contexts

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