Degree candidates at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) must be in good standing. An Associate of Science degree will be granted to the student completing the following requirements.
Comprehensive Graduation Requirements
The Associate of Science degree prepares students to continue their education at the bachelor’s degree level. When selecting courses for this degree, students should select courses according to the requirements of their intended transfer destination school and major. Undecided students may use the state-approved Transfer Module as a general guide for transferability.
The following degree requirements are intended to ensure that students with an Associate of Science degree have completed the first two years of a baccalaureate degree.
- The satisfactory completion of 60 semester credit hours at the 1000-level or higher. No more than three of the 60 credits can be completed in physical education.
- The achievement of a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all courses attempted at Tri-C (with exceptions as provided under College policies for repeating a course, Grade Forgiveness and Fresh Start).
- The completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of advanced coursework (exclusive 1800-level special topics and independent study/research courses) of the 60 semester credits. Advanced coursework is defined as follows: 2000-level courses, MATH-1400 level and above, BIO-1500 level and above, CHEM-1300 level and above and PHYS-1200 level and above.
- The completion of no fewer than 20 of the required 60 semester credit hours at the 1000-level or higher while in attendance at Tri-C.
- Special Topics, Independent Study/Research and Cooperative Education courses may be applied to the general education and elective graduation requirements unless otherwise noted.
First Year Experience
All new, credit-earning students are required to satisfactorily complete the GEN-1070 First Year Experience course. Students are expected to take the First Year Experience course during their first semester of enrollment. Students who have earned 20 college credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 are exempt from taking the course.
GEN-1070 First Year Success Seminar
Upon recommendation from a counselor, GEN-1022 Strategies for Success or GEN-1040 Career Exploration may be taken in place of GEN-1070 First Year Success Seminar. Learn more about the First Year Experience.
General Education Requirements
Each of the College’s degree programs require that students complete a set amount of courses in the areas of general education that include: Communication, Mathematics and Data Analysis, Natural and Physical Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students completing the general education requirements, along with the specific program requirements for a degree, will have achieved the College’s general education outcomes.
Communication (6 semester credit hours)
The communication skills of reading analytically, writing fluently, listening critically and speaking articulately are essential. Students must complete the following to meet this requirement:
Mathematics and Data Analysis (6 semester credit hours)
The ability to integrate numerical, symbolical and spatial methods for scientific inquiry into the physical, natural or social and behavioral sciences is essential. Students must complete the following to meet this requirement:
- Six semester credit hours selected from the following courses ( MATH-1400 level or higher):
Natural and Physical Sciences (15 semester credit hours)
The ability to undertake scientific inquiry in the physical and biological sciences is essential for students seeking an Associate of Science degree. Students must complete the following to meet this requirement:
- Fifteen semester credit hours selected from the following courses. Must include two laboratory experiences:
Anthropology
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ANTH-1210 | Human Evolution 1 | 4 |
Biology
Chemistry
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| CHEM-1000 | Everyday Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM-100L | Everyday Chemistry Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| CHEM-1010 | Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-101H | Honors Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-1020 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-102H | Honors Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-1300 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM-130H | Honors General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM-130L | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM-1310 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM-131H | Honors General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM-131L | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
Earth Science
Physics
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester credit hours)
The opportunity to obtain a broader knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences in order to understand, analyze and describe aspects of human behavior from diverse political, social, historical and cultural perspectives is an important part of a liberal arts education. Students must complete the following to meet this requirement:
- Six semester credit hours selected from the following courses, must be selected from two disciplines:
Anthropology
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ANTH-1010 | Cultural Anthropology 1 | 3 |
| ANTH-2010 | Peoples and Cultures of the World | 3 |
| ANTH-2110 | Archaeology | 3 |
Economics
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ECON-1210 | Survey of Economics | 3 |
| ECON-2000 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON-2010 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
Geography
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| GEOG-1000 | Introduction to Geography | 3 |
| GEOG-1010 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| GEOG-1050 | Africans in the Americas | 3 |
| GEOG-1510 | Regional Geography of the United States and Canada | 3 |
| GEOG-2030 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
History
Political Science
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| POL-1010 | American National Government | 3 |
| POL-101H | Honors American National Government | 3 |
| POL-1020 | State & Local Government | 3 |
| POL-2020 | Introduction to Conflict and Peace Studies | 3 |
| POL-2030 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL-2060 | Political Systems of Africa | 3 |
| POL-2070 | International Relations | 3 |
| POL-2100 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
Psychology
Sociology
Urban Studies
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| UST-1010 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| UST-2020 | Urban Cultures | 3 |
Women's and Gender Studies
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| WGS-1510 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS-151H | Honors Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS-2010 | Women in the World | 3 |
| WGS-201H | Honors Women in the World | 3 |
| WGS-2120 | Women and Politics | 3 |
Arts and Humanities (6 semester credit hours)
The appreciation of the achievements of the arts and humanities provides the ability to integrate learning within a complex global perspective; to gain an awareness of and respect for different cultures; and to integrate ethical decision making in dealing responsibly with personal, family and community issues. Students must complete the following to meet this requirement:
- Six semester credit hours selected from the following courses must be selected from at least two disciplines.
Art
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ART-1010 | Art Appreciation | 3 |
| ART-1040 | Survey of Non-Western Art | 3 |
| ART-2020 | Art History Survey: Prehistoric to Renaissance | 3 |
| ART-202H | Honors Art History Survey: Prehistoric to Renaissance | 3 |
| ART-2030 | Art History Survey: Late Renaissance to Present | 3 |
| ART-203H | Honors Art History Survey: Late Renaissance to Present | 3 |
Dance
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| DANC-1100 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
English 2000-Level Literature courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ENG-2020 | Women Writers on the Experiences of Women | 3 |
| ENG-2310 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG-2320 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG-2350 | British Literature I | 3 |
| ENG-2360 | British Literature II | 3 |
| ENG-2410 | Introduction to Literature: Poetry | 3 |
| ENG-2420 | Introduction to Literature: Fiction | 3 |
| ENG-2430 | Introduction to Literature: Drama | 3 |
| ENG-2510 | African-American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG-2520 | African-American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG-2601 | Literature for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| ENG-2700 | World Literature | 3 |
| ENG-2710 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG-2730 | Exploration of World Mythology | 3 |
| ENG-2770 | Rhetorics of Gaming: Introduction to Video Game Analysis | 3 |
History
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| HIST-2031 | Islam to the Modern Middle East | 3 |
| HIST-2150 | African American History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST-2160 | African American History 1877-present | 3 |
| HIST-2520 | Hitler and the Holocaust | 3 |
| HIST-2660 | Women in American History | 3 |
Humanities
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| HUM-1010 | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| HUM-1020 | The Individual in Society | 3 |
| HUM-102H | Honors Individual in Society | 3 |
| HUM-2020 | Community Engagement Through the Humanities | 3 |
| HUM-2030 | Culture and Belief | 3 |
Media and Journalism Studies
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| MJS-1310 | Film Appreciation | 3 |
Music
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| REL-1010 | Introduction to Religious Studies | 3 |
| REL-2000 | Comparative World Religions | 3 |
| REL-2010 | Religious Traditions of Western Christianity | 3 |
| REL-2060 | African-American Religious Experience | 3 |
Theatre Arts
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| THEA-1010 | Theatre Appreciation | 3 |
| THEA-2210 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
| THEA-2220 | History of Theatre & Drama II | 3 |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| COMM-2160 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2510 | African-American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG-2520 | African-American Literature II | 3 |
| MJS-1611 | Black Media | 3 |
| SOC-2550 | Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| WGS-1510 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS-151H | Honors Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS-2010 | Women in the World | 3 |
| WGS-201H | Honors Women in the World | 3 |
Elective Graduation Requirements (21 semester credit hours)
The remaining semester credits needed to complete the required minimum total of 60 semester credits may be chosen from 1000-level courses and above, exclusive of developmental coursework. Courses taken for general education requirements cannot count toward fulfilling elective graduation requirements. Students wishing to maximize the use of credits toward a bachelor’s degree should select electives according to the requirements of their intended transfer destination school or major. The state-approved Transfer Module provides a general guide for transferability.
Cross-listed Courses
Cross-listed courses are identical courses offered in two or more subject areas. They differ only in subject area code and course number. Credit may be earned once for cross-listed courses.
