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2025-26 Academic Draft Catalog

Associate (AGS) of General Studies

Overview

The Associate of General Studies (AGS) is a 60-credit undergraduate degree designed for students who want a broad-based education and may not yet have a specific academic path in mind. The AGS allows students to explore a variety of subjects across different disciplines, and provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills that can be useful in various fields or as a stepping stone to further education. This degree may be particularly beneficial for individuals who are undecided about their major or career goals, as it allows them to sample different subjects before committing to a specific course of study. 

Students have the flexibility to choose elective courses based on their interests and goals. Enrollment counselors and faculty are available to assist students in determining how best to focus their elective studies in a particular area of interest. The AGS is designed to facilitate transfer to a four-year program for students who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. The AGS program also includes a Capstone Seminar where students demonstrate their learning through a culminating project, research paper, or presentation. This component allows students to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. Students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence at George Fox University, and prior learning credit can be used to fulfill AGS elective requirements; prior learning does not apply to the residency requirement.

Degree Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Associate of General Studies (AGS), students will be equipped to:

  1. Communicate effectively through written and oral means, demonstrating clarity, coherence, and appropriate use of language.
  2. Analyze information critically, evaluating new information to make reasoned judgments.
  3. Integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to synthesize new insights and solutions.
  4. Appreciate and evaluate diverse cultures, perspectives, and global issues, demonstrating intercultural awareness and sensitivity.
  5. Examine ethical dilemmas and apply principles rooted in integrity, faith, and a commitment to serving others to make informed decisions in personal, academic, and professional contexts.
  6. Develop personal and interpersonal skills such as time management, collaboration, and adaptability, demonstrating readiness for further education and career advancement.

Course Requirements

Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major.

Admission Requirements

An online application must be submitted and accepted before a student begins their first course. All courses in the Associate of General Studies (AGS) must be completed or approved through George Fox Digital.

Major Requirements

This course builds on student understanding of basic mechanics, sentence construction, intermediate composition, elements of prose, and research skills. Students will practice effective processes and techniques for producing efficient, effective writing, including focused consideration of purpose, audience, and appropriate formatting and citation.
In this course, students will investigate concepts of worldview as it relates to personal identity, cultural assumptions, interpersonal communication, individual decision-making, and faith. Students will explore the Christian faith, seeking to construct a personal worldview that informs their understanding of the meaning of life.
This course provides an introduction to worldviews, patterns of perception, and intercultural complexities that impact effective communication within and across cultures. Students will assess and apply intercultural communication theories as they explore the following topics: the nature of culture and cultural definitions; the role of language in power dynamics; contextualization in the global environment; media representation of cultures and identities; and the relationship between language, power, and culture.
This course offers a selected study of literary masterpieces that reflect varying aspects of human experience throughout history. Students will study poetry, drama, and fiction in their historical and cultural contexts, analyzing the relationship of literature to social change and stability. The course is designed to offer students multiple perspectives of the people and cultures who share our globe.
This course examines key developments in the history of the United States. Students will consider selected events, trends, and personalities in politics, religion, popular culture, and technology, and their influence on the shape of society today.
This course provides an introduction to the materials, techniques, and theories of art, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and what is considered fine art in general. Through aesthetic, historical, and critical analysis, students will broaden their understanding and experience of art and its role in society.
The 21st-century digital age has introduced an exponential number of online tools that make electronic social and professional interaction possible. Through readings, videos, case presentations, and engagement with digital media, this interactive course provides an opportunity to explore how the digital age is changing the way individuals think, interact, and engage.
This course explores the study of human behavior through a scientific and sociocultural lens, including an introduction to the history and major theories of psychology, disciplines in the field of psychology, biological bases of behavior, scientific method, sensation, perception, learning, memory, emotion, and motivation. Students will also consider gender, culture, and ethnicity as related to human behavior, perceptions, and emotions.
This course introduces the field of sociology, including an examination of how social interactions and groups comprise the social landscape. While developing a sociological imagination, students will consider how society functions and their role in it.
This course provides an introduction to lifestyle behaviors that promote health and well-being. Emphasis is placed on current health issues such as nutrition, stress management, and physical activity.
The goal of this course is to broaden students’ scope of, appreciation for, and abilities in mathematics. Through this course, students will experience beauty, joy, and utility in mathematics. This course will focus on problem solving using the mathematics of finance, growth models, statistics, historical counting systems, and graph theory.
This course provides an introductory survey of physical geology, historical geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. Students will examine various landforms and earth processes, and may engage with special topics and fieldwork as they consider cycles related to the earth’s form and function.
In this course, which is the culminating experience for the Associate of General Studies (AGS) and Bachelor’s of General Studies (BGS) programs, students are provided an opportunity to synthesize and apply the diverse knowledge and skills developed throughout their programs by completing a comprehensive final project. Emphasis is placed on reflective learning, effective communication, professional development, mastery of program outcomes, and readiness to transition into advanced academic or professional pursuits.