Mar 04, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

University Parallel, A.S. - General Studies in Social Science and Education


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Degree: Associate of Science
Major: University Parallel
Area of Emphasis: General Studies in Social Science and Education
Department: Education
CIP Code: (16) 24.0101.01

For more information, visit the Social Science and Education webpage or contact the Social Science and Education division at 615-230-3231 or ssed@volstate.edu.

This is an interdisciplinary pathway for students who are looking for a broad preparation encompassing the disciplines of sociology, psychology, history, economics, political science, education, and more. This plan permits greater flexibility than other published curriculum guides may offer, while the area of emphasis courses are primarily chosen from within the Social Science and Education division.  Courses with a vocational designation (designated with an asterisk*) may also be chosen after consultation with an advisor.

The General Studies in Social Science and Education pathway is for students looking to advance their careers or are planning to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Students should work with an advisor to customize their studies to fit their interests.

Embedded Certificates
Courses in the following certificates may be used to award this area of emphasis.

  • Correctional Officer Technical Certificate
  • Criminal Justice Technical Certificate

General Studies Pathways

  • Students interested in a four-year degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), including pre-professional healthcare degrees, should pursue the General Studies in Mathematics and Science  pathway.  Contact the Mathematics and Science division for more information. 
  • Students interested in a four-year degree in health sciences-related fields should pursue the General Studies in Health Sciences  pathway. Contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330 for more information.
  • The General Studies A.A.  pathway and the General Studies A.S.  pathway offer the most flexibility for students who intend to pursue a four-year degree outside of one of the areas above. For more information, visit the Humanities and Fine Arts webpage or contact the division at 615-230-3200 or humanities@volstate.edu.

Transfer Options
This emphasis is not currently a part of a Tennessee Transfer Pathway, and, therefore, it may not be fully transferable. Since general education and major requirements vary from one transfer institution to another, it is essential that transfer students decide on a transfer institution as soon as possible and refer to the general education and major requirements in that institution’s catalog when planning a program of study. Contact your advisor for additional information.

General Education Core Requirements - Credits (41)


Area of Emphasis Requirements - Credits (19)


Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60)


Footnote


Students should choose courses appropriate for transfer to the senior institution they have selected.  Any course designated with an asterisk (*) in the catalog is a career/technical course and is not intended for transfer.

Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15)


First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (14)


Second Year -Fall Semester - Credits (16)


  • Natural Sciences  (See General Education Core Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (4)
  • Social Science and Education Electives (Choose any course from the Social Science and Education Division  or from list above.) Credits: (9)
  • History  (See General Education Core Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)


  • Social Science and Education Electives (Choose any course from the Social Science and Education Division  or from list above.) Credits: (3)
  • History  (See General Education Core Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts  (Literature Course - See General Education Core Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3)
  • University Parallel Elective (Any Non-Asterisk Course) Credits: (6)

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