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

English Composition I – 3 credits


English Composition II – 3 credits


College Algebra or Statistics – 3 credits


Survey of United States History I – 3 credits


World History I – 3 credits


Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits


Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits


Art Appreciation – 3 credits


Music Appreciation – 3 credits


Ethics – 3 credits


Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication – 3 credits


African American Literature – 3 credits


Environmental Science – 4 credits (lab included)


Biology – 4 credits (lab included)


Information Literacy / Introduction to Computers – 3 credits

Total General Education Credits required: 41

A.A. in Photography

Introduction to Photography – 3 credits

Digital Photography – 3 credits

History of Photography – 3 credits

Photoshop & Digital Editing – 3 credits

Portrait & Commercial Photography – 3 credits

Documentary or Landscape Photography – 3 credits

Portfolio Development / Capstone – 3 credits

A.A. in Communications

 

Introduction to Communication – 3 credits

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

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

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

Our Future Campus

Certificate Courses

Academic & Foundational Skills

 

Basic Math Skills I: Numbers and Operations – 2 credits

 

Basic Math Skills II: Everyday Math in Action – 2 credits

 

Basic Reading Skills I: Word Recognition & Comprehension – 2 credits

 

Basic Reading Skills II: Reading for Daily Life – 2 credits

 

Communication & Social Development

Communication Skills I: Expressing Yourself Clearly – 2 credits

Communication Skills II: Active Listening & Understanding Others – 2 credits

Interpersonal Skills I: Building Friendships and Relationships – 2 credits

Interpersonal Skills II: Teamwork and Conflict Resolution – 2 credits

 

 

Financial Literacy

Money Management Basics: Counting, Saving, and Spending– 2 credits

Budgeting for Daily Life– 2 credits

Banking Skills: Understanding Accounts, Cards, and ATMs– 2 credits

Smart Shopping: Comparing Prices and Making Choices– 2 credits

Health & Wellness

Healthy Living: Nutrition and Exercise– 2 credits

Personal Hygiene and Self-Care– 2 credits

Managing Stress and Emotions– 2 credits

Health & Safety Awareness: At Home and in the Community– 2 credits

 

Transition to Work Skills

Workplace Readiness: Punctuality, Dress, and Responsibility– 2 credits

Career Exploration and Goal Setting– 2 credits

Job Applications and Interview Skills– 2 credits

Workplace Communication and Professional Etiquette– 2 credits

Vocational Training (Tailored Tracks)

Hospitality & Food Service Basics– 2 credits

Office & Administrative Support Skills– 2 credits

Retail and Customer Service Skills– 2 credits

Introduction to Technology for the Workplace– 2 credits

Independent Living Skills

Household Management: Cleaning, Laundry, and Organization– 2 credits

Cooking Basics: Simple and Healthy Meals– 2 credits

Transportation Skills: Using Public Transit and Navigation– 2 credits

Community Participation: Shopping, Appointments, and Recreation– 2 credits

 

Photography

Introduction to Photography- 2 Credits 

Digital Photography & Editing- 2 Credits 

Portrait & People Photography- 2 Credits 

Photography for Social Media- 2 Credits 

Event & Nature Photography- 2 Credits 

 

Art

Foundations of Art & Design- 2 Credits 

Painting & Mixed Media- 2 Credits 

Sculpture & 3D Art- 2 Credits 

Art for Wellness & Expression- 2 Credits 

Digital Art & Graphic Design- 2 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.