Online Associate Degree 60 Credit Hours (THEC Compliant)

 

General Education Requirements

Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) – Associate Degree Standards

All Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degree programs in Tennessee must include a 41-credit-hour General Education Core. These courses provide broad foundational learning and are fully transferable to Tennessee public universities.

General Education Core (41 Credit Hours)

Communication – 9 credits

6 credits in Written Composition

3 credits in Oral Communication

Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 credits

Must include at least one Literature course

Social & Behavioral Sciences – 6 credits

History – 6 credits

Natural Sciences – 8 credits

Mathematics – 3 credits

Total: 41 General Education credit hours

 

General Education Core course options

Communication – 9 credits

English Composition I – 3 credits (Required)

English Composition II – 3 credits (Required)

African American Literature – 3 credits

Latin American Literature - 3 credits

Information Literacy  – 3 credits

Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 credits

Art Appreciation – 3 credits

Music Appreciation – 3 credits

Ethics – 3 credits

African American Literature – 3 credits

Latin American Literature - 3 credits

Social & Behavioral Sciences – 6 credits

Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits 

Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits

History – 6 credits

Survey of United States History I – 3 credits

World History I – 3 credits

Natural Sciences – 8 credits

Environmental Science – 4 credits (lab included)

Biology – 4 credits (lab included)

Mathematics – 3 credits

College Algebra - 3 credits

Statistics – 3 credits

Total General Education Credits required: 41

A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies

Psychology Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)

PSY 210 Lifespan Development - 3 Credits

PSY 220 Abnormal Psychology.- 3 Credits

PSY 230 Social Psychology - 3 Credits

PSY 240 Psychology of Trauma & Resilience - 3 Credits

PSY 250 Positive Psychology & Well-Being - 3 Credits

Sociology Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)

SOC 210 Social Problems

SOC 220 Diversity & Social Inequality - 3 Credits

SOC 230 Family & Relationships - 3 Credits

SOC 240 Community & Social Change - 3 Credits

SOC 250 Media, Power & Society - 3 Credits

Photography Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)
Smartphone or basic camera allowed

ART 120 Digital Photography I - 3 Credits

ART 121 Digital Photography II - 3 Credits

ART 230 Photography & Visual Culture - 3 Credits

ART 240 Visual Storytelling - 3 Credits

ART 250 Portfolio Development - 3 Credits

African American Studies Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)

AAS 101 African American History & Culture - 3 Credits

AAS 210 African American Social Movements - 3 Credits

AAS 220 African American Thought & Expression - 3 Credits

AAS 230 Race, Law & Justice - 3 Credits

AAS 240 African American Arts & Media - 3 Credits

Latin American Studies Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)

LAS 101 Latin American History & Culture - 3 Credits

LAS 210 Latin American Society & Politics - 3 Credits

LAS 220 Caribbean & Diaspora Perspectives - 3 Credits

LAS 230 Indigenous Peoples of Latin America - 3 Credits

LAS 240 Latin American Arts & Media - 3 Credits

Disability Studies Emphasis

(Choose 3 of 5 – 9 credits)

DIS 201 Disability, Access & Inclusion - 3 Credits

DIS 210 Disability Rights & Advocacy - 3 Credits

DIS 220 Universal Design & Accessibility - 3 Credits

DIS 230 Disability & Mental Health - 3 Credits

DIS 240 Disability in Media & Society - 3 Credits

A.A. in Communications

 

Introduction to Communication – 3 credits (Required)

Public Speaking – 3 credits

Interpersonal Communication – 3 credits

Intercultural Communication – 3 credits

Small Group Communication – 3 credits

Media and Society – 3 credits

Organizational Communication – 3 credits

Persuasion and Rhetoric – 3 credits

Communication Theory – 3 credits

Communications Elective (e.g., Digital Communication, Social Media Strategies, or Journalism) – 3 credits

 

A.S. in Psychology

Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits (Required)

Human Growth & Development – 3 credits

Abnormal Psychology – 3 credits

Social Psychology – 3 credits

Cognitive Psychology – 3 credits

Research Methods in Psychology – 3 credits

Personality Psychology – 3 credits

Learning and Motivation – 3 credits

Biological Psychology / Neuroscience – 3 credits

Psychology Elective (e.g., Health Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology) – 3 credits

 

A.S. in Business

Introduction to Business – 3 credits (Required)

Principles of Management – 3 credits

Principles of Marketing – 3 credits

Financial Accounting – 3 credits

Managerial Accounting – 3 credits

Business Law – 3 credits

Business Ethics – 3 credits

Principles of Finance – 3 credits

Entrepreneurship / Small Business Management – 3 credits

Business Elective (e.g., International Business, Human Resources, or Project Management) – 3 credits

Living the Dream University is dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing accessible, high-quality education, practical skills training, and a supportive learning environment. We strive to foster independence, personal growth, and lifelong learning, preparing our students to achieve their fullest potential and actively contribute to their communities.