Associate in General Studies

Why Heartland?

The Associate in General Studies (AGS) at Heartland Community College is a customized degree program designed for students who want to explore a wide range of subject areas and interests through learning experiences that will expand their career opportunities. 

Students who are interested in this program must meet with an academic advisor to determine whether the AGS is the right program to reach their individual goals.

Contact Rachel Cook in Enrollment Services to get started today!

Email: Rachel.Cook@heartland.edu

Phone: 309-268-8033

Program Details

Associate in General Studies

Format
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
In-District Tuition
$174/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$174/credit hour

What can the Associate in General Studies do for you?

  • With the AGS, you can turn past college credit and/or work experiences into a degree that prepares you for new career opportunities.
  • Earning your associate degree may be needed to meet an employment requirement, which makes the AGS degree a great accomplishment to share on your resume in future job searches or with your current employer.
  • The AGS can expand your earning opportunities. On average, associate degree holders make over $40,000 more in 5 years than those with a high school diploma.
  • Heartland’s AGS program offers affordability, convenient in-person and online classes, and the flexibility you need to finish your degree quickly, even when your path may change. You may also be eligible for financial aid and scholarships to help along the way.
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Associate in General Studies Requirements

60 credit hours

Catalog Year 2026-2027

 

The Associate in General Studies (AGS) is a degree customized to meet the unique needs of students, based on their work and professional development goals, with objectives that are different than those of the transfer degrees or the occupational degrees. Students will be added to the AGS after meeting with an academic advisor and developing a plan of study. Due to the flexibility of this degree, it may not fulfill requirements for transfer to a four-year institution. 
 

Associate in General Studies Courses

Course Credit Hours

Communications

Any two college level courses from ENGL, COMM, or BTEC 115 

 6

Humanities and/or Fine Arts 

Any ART, CHIN, FILM, JAPN, HUMA, INTL, INTR, LITR, MUSI, PHIL, SPAN, or THEA

 3

Life Sciences or Physical Sciences

Any college-level course(s) from ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, EASC, or PHYS 

 3-4

Mathematics

CHLD 222, CSCI 115, TMAT 103 or any college level MATH course

 3-4

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Any ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POS, PSY, SOC, or SWK

 3

Additional Class from any area above

 3

AGS Electives - as selected and approved by your academic advisor

 39
 
Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Contact Advisement

Academic Advisement

Community Commons Building (CCB) Suite 1000

1500 W. Raab Road

Normal, IL 61761

Appointment Hotline: 309-268-8027

Phone: 309-268-8033

Email: Advising@heartland.edu