Associate Degree in General Studies Pattern II & III

Associate Degree in General Studies Pattern II & III

Associate Degree in General Studies Patterns II and III, with an Area of Emphasis

About the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Pattern II

This pattern is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university in high-unit majors or when completion of the CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC patterns is not appropriate or advisable. (See www.assist.org or a college counselor for guidance.) Independent or out-of-state universities may also fall in this category.

About the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Pattern III

This pattern is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a California public four-year university (UC or CSU) and wish to use the CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC to fulfill their lower-division general education (GE) requirement. 

Note: 
A single course may be used to fulfill a general education requirement, a graduation or competency requirement, and a requirement in an area of emphasis, but the units may only count once toward the 60 units required for the Associate Degree and for transfer. A single course may not be used to fulfill more than one GE requirement or more than one emphasis requirement.

Requirements for the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Patterns II and III

1. Area of Emphasis 

  • Choose an Area of Emphasis from one of four options listed below (Arts and Humanities, Liberal Studies, Natural Sciences or Mathematics, or Social and Behavioral Sciences); 
  • Complete the courses required for that Area of Emphasis (a minimum of 18 semester units of degree-applicable college credit coursework). 
    • At least 6 units of the 18 units required for the Area of Emphasis must be completed within a single discipline.
    • Within the chosen Area of Emphasis pattern, select courses that fulfill major preparation requirements for the chosen transfer institution. CSU and UC articulation can be found at www.assist.org. Other articulation can be found in the Student Services and/or Academic Affairs Office. If no articulation exists with the intended transfer institution, you may obtain guidance from recruitment counselors, the transfer institution’s departmental advisors in your major, and/or that institution's catalog or website.

2. General Education (GE)

For the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Pattern II - Select and complete courses from the general education pattern of a transfer institution to include, at a minimum, the following Title 5 requirements:

  • Natural Sciences (3 units),
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units),
  • Arts and Humanities (3 units),
  • Language and Rationality–English Composition (3 units),
  • Communication and Analytical Thinking (3 units), and
  • 3 additional units from any of the above areas.

For the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Pattern III - Complete the CSU GE-Breadth pattern or the IGETC pattern. Students who complete CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC need to apply for GE certification in the Counseling Office and may also be able to apply for a Certificate of Achievement.

3. Local Graduation Requirements 
    A) Health Education - Select and complete one course (no unit minimum)

Course ID Title Units/Hours
CD M23Health, Safety, & Nutrition3
NS M35Holistic Healthcare Practices1.5
NTS M01Introduction to Nutrition Science3
NTS M07Cultural Foods3
HED M01Health and Society2
HED M03Nutrition, Fitness, and Stress Management3
HED M05First Aid, CPR, AED & Emergency Procedures3
HED M07Personal Health3

     B) Physical Education/Kinesiology - Select and complete one course (no unit minimum)

Course ID Title Units/Hours
CJ M09ABujinkan Fundamentals-Practical Self-Defense2
CJ M09BBujinkan Intermediate - Practical Self-Defense2
Any ICA/KIN (formerly PE) activity course except KIN M01, M13, M13L, M16, M17, M18, M20, M21, M22, M25, M26
Any Dance activity course except DANC M24, M26, M31, M53, M56

     C) Ethnic/Gender Studies - Select and complete one course (can be a course already used in another area). 

Course ID Title Units/Hours
ANTH M02Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH M07Peoples and Cultures of the World3
ANTH M09Sex, Gender, and Culture3
ANTH M13The Chumash and Their Neighbors: Indians of California3
ARTH M130History of Art: Asian3
CD M05Teaching in a Diverse Society3
COMM M12Intercultural Communications3
COMM M13Gender Communication3
DANC M31World Dance Cultures3
ENGL M30AMasterpieces of World Literature I3
ENGL M30BMasterpieces of World Literature II3
ETHS M01Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
ETHS M10Introduction to African American Studies3
ETHS M40Introduction to Ethnic Studies3
FTMA M108Women in Cinema3
GEOG M02Cultural Geography3
GEOG M03World Regional Geography3
or GEOG M03H Honors: World Regional Geography
HIST M131African American History to 18773
HIST M133History of Mexican Americans3
HIST M135Native American History and Culture3
HIST M137History of American Women3
or HIST M137H Honors: History of American Women
HIST M141African American History Since 18773
HIST M145Race and Ethnicity in American History3
HIST M164History of Latin America3
PSY M14Cross-Cultural Psychology3
SJS M110Introduction to Social Justice Studies3
SJS M120Introduction to Women's Studies3
SJS M130Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
SOC M140Introduction to Gender3
SOC M150Introduction to Race and Ethnicity3

4. Units - Satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units of degree-applicable college coursework (General Studies Patterns II and III degrees require all 60 units to be CSU transferable units).

5. Grades - Earn a grade of "C" or better or “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No-Pass” basis (Title 5 § 55063) in every course in the Area of Emphasis. Even though a “P” is allowed, it is recommended that students complete all coursework in the Area of Emphasis for a letter grade ("A," "B," or "C").  Note: Universities have limitations on the number of units that may be taken on a “Pass/No-Pass" basis and therefore it is strongly recommended that students take all coursework in the area of emphasis for a letter grade. Most universities also have limitations on the number of general education units that may be completed on a "Pass/No-Pass" basis.

6. GPA - Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in degree-applicable college credit coursework.

7. Competency - Demonstrate competency in reading, in written expression, and in mathematics.

a. Reading – Minimum competency in reading is satisfied by completion of the requirements for the associate degree. 

bWritten Expression – Minimum competency in written expression is satisfied by one of the following:

  • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of a college English Composition course at the freshmen composition level; or
  • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of an equivalent English Composition course from a regionally accredited institution; or
  • A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition; or 
  • A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and Composition; or
  • A score of 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB) English HL exam; or
  • A score of 50 or higher on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam.

c. Mathematics – Minimum competency in mathematics is satisfied by one of the following:

  • Simplify rational expressions and solve rational equations
  • Solve problems and applications involving systems of equations in three variables
  • Graph systems of inequalities in two variables
  • Simplify expressions involving positive, negative, and rational exponents
  • Perform mathematical operations on radical expressions and solve radical equations
  • Solve quadratic equations and their applications using multiple methods
  • Graph and evaluate elementary functions. Use definitions, domain and range, algebra and composition of functions on related applications.
  • Solve elementary exponential and logarithmic equations and related applications.
    • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of a college mathematics course in Intermediate Algebra; or
    • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of a course offered by the college mathematics department with an Intermediate Algebra or higher prerequisite; or
    • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of a course offered by a different department with an enforced prerequisite of Intermediate Algebra or higher; or
    • A score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC exam; or
    • A score of 3 or higher on the AP Statistics exam; or
    • A score of 4 or higher on the IB Mathematics HL exam; or
    • A score of 50 or higher on the CLEP College Mathematics or Precalculus exam; or
    • Successful passing of the VCCCD math competency exam; or
    • Successful completion (A, B, C, or P) of any course offered by the college’s math department, or approved by the math department if offered by another department, which includes demonstrated ability in all of the following

Note: Courses used to fulfill the CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC requirements in Mathematical and Written Communication or English Composition will fulfill the mathematics and written expression requirements.

8. Residency: Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence at the college granting the degree.  Exceptions to the residency requirement can be made by the Board when an injustice or undue hardship would otherwise be placed on the student.

9. Apply for the Associate Degree in the Counseling Office by the published deadline dates. All of the student's official transcripts and test scores (such as AP, IB, or CLEP) must be on file with the Admissions and Records office.

Areas of Emphasis for Patterns II and III Offered at Moorpark College

At the time of catalog publication, a student may earn the following General Studies AA Patterns II and III (Area of Emphasis) degrees at Moorpark College:

Arts and Humanities Emphasis

The Arts and Humanities area of emphasis will examine the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings. The courses are designed to develop students’ awareness of the ways in which people throughout the ages and in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation and to develop students’ aesthetic understanding and ability to make value judgments. This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, English, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy, Photography, and Theatre Arts.

Course ID Title Units/Hours
ART M20Two-Dimensional Design3
ART M23Three-Dimensional Design3
ART M30 Drawing and Composition I3
ART M32Beginning Life Drawing I3
ART M43Beginning Painting I3
ARTH M110History of Western Art: Prehistoric Through Gothic3
ARTH M120History of Western Art: Renaissance through Modern3
CHIN M100Elementary Chinese: Mandarin I4
CHIN M110Elementary Chinese: Mandarin II4
DANC M01Dance Appreciation3
or DANC M01H Honors: Dance Appreciation
DANC M10ABallet I-Fundamentals2
DANC M10BBallet II - Beginning2
DANC M10CBallet III - Intermediate2
DANC M10DBallet IV - Advanced2
DANC M12AModern Dance I - Fundamentals2
DANC M12BModern Dance II - Beginning2
DANC M12CModern Dance III -Intermediate2
DANC M12DModern Dance IV - Advanced2
DANC M20AMovement Improvisation I2
ENGL M10ACreative Writing3
ENGL M13ASurvey of American Literature I3
ENGL M13BSurvey of American Literature II3
ENGL M15ASurvey of English Literature I3
ENGL M15BSurvey of English Literature II3
ENGL M17Shakespeare3
FREN M100Elementary French I4
FREN M110Elementary French II4
FTMA M101Introduction to Cinema4
FTMA M105History of International Cinema I: Emergence to World War II3
FTMA M106History of International Cinema II: World War II to the Present3
FTMA M108Women in Cinema3
GERM M100Elementary German I4
GERM M110Elementary German II4
ITAL M100Elementary Italian I4
ITAL M110Elementary Italian II4
JAPN M100Elementary Japanese I4
JAPN M110Elementary Japanese II4
LAT M100Elementary Latin I4
MUS M02AMusic Theory I3
MUS M02ALMusicianship I1
MUS M02BMusic Theory II3
MUS M02BLMusicianship II1
MUS M02CMusic Theory III3
MUS M02CLMusicianship III1
MUS M02DMusic Theory IV3
MUS M02DLMusicianship IV1
MUS M09AWestern Music History I3
or MUS M09AH Honors: Western Music History I
MUS M09BWestern Music History II3
or MUS M09BH Honors: Western Music History II
MUS M25AClass Piano-Beginning I2
MUS M25BClass Piano-Beginning II2
MUS M25CClass Piano-Intermediate I2
MUS M25DClass Piano-Intermediate II2
PHIL M01Introduction to Philosophy3
or PHIL M01H Honors: Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL M02Introduction to Ethics3
or PHIL M02H Honors: Introduction to Ethics
PHIL M05Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing3
PHIL M07Introduction to Logic3
PHIL M09Introduction to Symbolic Logic3
PHIL M13The Classical Mind3
PHIL M14The Modern Mind3
PHOT M10Beginning Photography3
PHOT M20Intermediate Photography3
PHOT M30AAdvanced Photography I3
PHOT M40History of Photography3
SPAN M100Elementary Spanish I5
SPAN M110Elementary Spanish II5
SPAN M110SElementary Spanish for Spanish Speakers II5
SPAN M200Intermediate Spanish I5
SPAN M200SIntermediate Spanish for Spanish Speakers I5
SPAN M210Intermediate Spanish II5
THA M01Introduction to Theatre3
or THA M01H Honors: Introduction to Theatre
THA M02AActing I3
THA M02BActing II3
THA M02CActing III3
TTHA M20Stagecrafts3
TTHA M27ACostume Design I3

Liberal Studies Emphasis

This Pattern provides an opportunity to earn an Associate in Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Liberal Studies. This degree covers a broad area of study and is intended for students who may plan to transfer to a four-year university to continue their education in teaching. 

The courses that fulfill the Liberal Studies area of emphasis will examine a diverse array of academic disciplines providing a breadth of knowledge necessary to prepare students in the subject matter required for a multiple subject teaching credential in elementary or special education. In addition, the coursework is designed to enable students to: explore how knowledge across multiple disciplines is interrelated; think critically and creatively; write and speak clearly, coherently, and thoughtfully; read, understand, and evaluate all forms of text; evaluate the positive value and essential role of diversity, and formulate their own goals for continued learning and inquiry-based on a foundation of intellectual curiosity.

Course ID Title Units/Hours
BIOL M01Introduction to Biology4
CD M02Human Development: Infancy through Adolescence3
or PSY M04 Child Psychology
COMM M01Public Speaking3
or COMM M01H Honors: Public Speaking
ENGL M01AEnglish Composition4
or ENGL M01AH Honors: English Composition
One of the following ARTH, MUS or THA course
ARTH M100Understanding Art3
or ARTH M100H Honors: Understanding Art
ARTH M110History of Western Art: Prehistoric Through Gothic3
ARTH M120History of Western Art: Renaissance through Modern3
MUS M08Music Appreciation3
or MUS M08H Honors: Music Appreciation
THA M01Introduction to Theatre3
or THA M01H Honors: Introduction to Theatre
One of the following (fulfills English Literature):3-4
ENGL M01BLiterature: Critical Thinking and Composition4
or ENGL M01BH Honors Literature: Critical Thinking and Composition
ENGL M13BSurvey of American Literature II3
ENGL M13ASurvey of American Literature I3
ENGL M15ASurvey of English Literature I3
ENGL M15BSurvey of English Literature II3
ENGL M30AMasterpieces of World Literature I3
ENGL M30BMasterpieces of World Literature II3
One of the following (fulfills English Critical Thinking):3
ENGL M01CCritical Thinking and Composition3
or ENGL M01CH Honors: Critical Thinking and Composition
PHIL M05Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing3
PHIL M07Introduction to Logic3
One of the following:3
GEOG M02Cultural Geography3
GEOG M03World Regional Geography3
or GEOG M03H Honors: World Regional Geography
HIST M130United States History Through Reconstruction (fulfills US History)3
HIST M150World History: From Prehistory to 1500 (fulfills World History)3
MATH M10Mathematics for Elementary Teachers3
PHSC M01Principles of Physical Science3
AND
Principles of Physical Science Laboratory
POLS M03American Government and Politics3
or POLS M03H Honors: American Government and Politics

Natural Sciences or Mathematics Emphasis

This pattern is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university in high-unit majors or where completion of CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC is not appropriate or advisable. See www.assist.org for guidance. Independent or out-of-state universities may also fall in this category.

The courses that fulfill the Natural Sciences or Mathematics area of emphasis will examine the physical universe, its’ life forms and the measurement of natural phenomena. The courses are designed to develop students’ appreciation and understanding of the scientific method along with mathematical evaluation, and to encourage an understanding of the relationships between science/mathematics and other human activities. This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower division major preparation requirements for areas including but not limited to Allied Health, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geological Sciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, Pre-Medicine, and Radiology Technology.

Course ID Title Units/Hours
ANTH M01Biological Anthropology3
or ANTH M01H Honors: Biological Anthropology
ANTH M01LBiological Anthropology Lab1
ANAT M01Human Anatomy4
ANPH M01Human Anatomy and Physiology6
AST M01An Introduction to Astronomy3
AST M01LAn Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory1
BIOL M02AGeneral Biology I5
or BIOL M02AH Honors: General Biology I
BIOL M02BGeneral Biology II5
CHEM M01AGeneral Chemistry I5
or CHEM M01AH Honors: General Chemistry I
CHEM M01BGeneral Chemistry II5
CHEM M07AOrganic Chemistry I5
CHEM M07BOrganic Chemistry II5
CHEM M11Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry5
CHEM M12Introductory Chemistry I4
CHEM M13Introductory Chemistry II5
ENSC M01Environmental Science3
ENSC M01LEnvironmental Science Lab1
ENSC M02Environment and Human Interactions4
GEOL M02Physical Geology3
or GEOL M02H Honors: Physical Geology
GEOL M02LPhysical Geology Lab1
GEOL M03Earth History3
GEOL M03LEarth History Lab1
GEOL M04Mineralogy4
GEOL M121Earth Science with Lab4
MATH M05College Algebra for STEM Studies3
MATH M06Trigonometry3
MATH M07Precalculus and Trigonometry6
MATH M15Introductory Statistics4
or MATH M15H Honors: Introductory Statistics
MATH M16AApplied Calculus I3
MATH M16BApplied Calculus II3
MATH M25ACalculus with Analytic Geometry I5
or MATH M25AH Honors: Calculus With Analytic Geometry I
MATH M25BCalculus with Analytic Geometry II5
or MATH M25BH Honors: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
MATH M25CCalculus with Analytic Geometry III5
MATH M31Introduction To Linear Algebra3
MATH M35Applied Differential Equations3
MICR M01General Microbiology5
PHSO M01Human Physiology4
or PHSO M01H Honors: Human Physiology
PHYS M10AGeneral Physics I4
PHYS M10ALGeneral Physics I Lab1
PHYS M10BGeneral Physics II4
PHYS M10BLGeneral Physics II Laboratory1
PHYS M20AMechanics of Solids and Fluids4
PHYS M20ALMechanics of Solids and Fluids Laboratory1
PHYS M20BThermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism4
PHYS M20BLThermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism Laboratory1
PHYS M20CWave Motion, Optics, and Modern Physics4
PHYS M20CLWave Motion, Optics, and Modern Physics Laboratory1

Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis

This pattern is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university in high-unit majors or where completion of CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC is not appropriate or advisable. See a counselor or refer to www.assist.org for guidance. Independent or out-of-state universities may also fall in this category.

The Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences emphasis offers a broad interdisciplinary curriculum designed for both general and area of emphasis students who are interested in pursuing an associate degree and transferring to a further study program at a baccalaureate institution. The curriculum encourages students to explore and discover the nature and common themes of the disciplines represented by an area of emphasis.

The courses that fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis will examine people as members of society. The courses are designed to develop students' awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences; to stimulate critical thinking about the ways people respond to their societies, and to promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. 
This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower-division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Course ID Title Units/Hours
ANTH M02Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH M03Archaeology3
ECON M201Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON M202Principles of Macroeconomics3
or ECON M202H Honors: Principles of Macroeconomics
ETHS M01Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
ETHS M10Introduction to African American Studies3
ETHS M40Introduction to Ethnic Studies3
GEOG M01Physical Geography3
GEOG M02Cultural Geography3
GEOG M03World Regional Geography3
or GEOG M03H Honors: World Regional Geography
GEOG M05Introduction to Weather and Climate3
GIS M01Introduction to Mapping and GIS3
HIST M130United States History Through Reconstruction3
HIST M140United States History 1865 to the Present 3
HIST M150World History: From Prehistory to 15003
HIST M160World History: From 1450 to the Present3
HIST M170Western Civilization: From Prehistory to 16003
HIST M180Western Civilization: From 1600 To The Present3
MATH M15Introductory Statistics4
or MATH M15H Honors: Introductory Statistics
MATH M16AApplied Calculus I3
MATH M25ACalculus with Analytic Geometry I5
or MATH M25AH Honors: Calculus With Analytic Geometry I
POLS M01Introduction to Politics3
POLS M03American Government and Politics3
or POLS M03H Honors: American Government and Politics
POLS M04International Relations3
PSY M01Introduction to Psychology3
or PSY M01H Honors: Introduction to Psychology
PSY M02Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience3
or PSY M02H Honors: Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
PSY M06Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods3
PSY M07Developmental Psychology (Lifespan)3
PSY M16Personality Theories3
SOC M110Introduction to Sociology3
or SOC M110H Honors: Introduction to Sociology
SJS M110Introduction to Social Justice Studies3
SJS M120Introduction to Women's Studies3
SJS M130Introduction to LGBTQ Studies3
SOC M115Social Problems3
SOC M120Introduction to Research Methods3
SOC/PSY M125Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences3
SOC M160Introduction to Criminology3