What is the AGSC?
(Click Here for a list of current members/alternates of the AGSC)
AGSC stands for the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee. The AGSC was created in March of 1994 by the State Legislature through ACT 94-202.
Role of the AGSC:
The AGSC was created to simplify the transfer of course credit between public institutions of higher education. To accomplish this task, the AGSC has developed and has implemented a statewide general studies and articulation program that facilitates the transferability of coursework among all Alabama public colleges and universities. The AGSC continues to serve as a monitoring committee for the articulation program. They oversee and maintain the program on an on-going basis. Finally, the AGSC works to resolve any student appeals related to transfer of coursework as it relates to the articulation program.
AGSC Makeup (as prescribed by the legislation)
- 3 Two-Year Representatives (represent all public two-year institutions)
- 2 Regional University Representatives (chosen from UNA, TSU System, UWA, JSU and UM)
- 1 Auburn University Representative
- 1 University of Alabama System Representative
- 1 University of South Alabama Representative
- 1 Alabama State Representative
- 1 Alabama A&M Representative
- TOTAL OF TEN MEMBERS
Note: Each member has an alternate.
The 1994 legislation outlines the following four charges of the AGSC:
- Develop no later than September 1, 1998, a statewide freshman- and sophomore-level general studies curriculum to be taken at all public colleges and universities;
(COMPLETED)- Develop and adopt by September 1, 1999, a statewide articulation agreement for the freshman and sophomore years for the transfer of credit among all public institutions of higher education in Alabama;
(COMPLETED)- Examine the need for a uniform course numbering system, course titles, and course descriptions; and
(COMPLETED - (Committee ruled that uniform numbering system for entire state was not needed at this time.)- Resolve problems in the administration or interpretation of the articulation agreement of the general studies curriculum.
(ON-GOING)Five guiding principles that the committee followed in undertaking their task.
- The AGSC wanted to permit flexibility among institutions in the specific courses they may offer to enable students to fulfill general studies requirements.
- The AGSC wanted to avoid increasing credit hour requirements for completion of baccalaureate degrees.
- The AGSC wanted to develop the credit hour distribution requirements rather than specific course requirements.
- The AGSC wanted to achieve a balance between general studies requirements and pre-professional or pre-major studies.
- The AGSC established faculty committees that are responsible for course/template specifications, review, and approval/ratification.
The AGSC oversees the work of STARS:
The STARS System is a web-based database that allows students, advisors, faculty, and administrators to obtain the most current AGSC approved transfer information. Prospective transfer students can log onto the STARS system and obtain a transfer guide for their chosen major that prescribes the coursework needed in the first 60-64 SH of their degree program. If a student follows the guide and does not change majors, he/she should receive degree credit upon transfer to the receiving institution.
Stars System Links:
The AGSC established the following structure for the freshman and sophomore years:
GENERAL STUDIES
(approx. 2/3 of Freshman/Sophomore Years)AREA I Written Composition 10 qh or 6 sh AREA II Humanities and Fine Arts 20 qh or 12 sh AREA III Natural Sciences and Mathematics 15 qh or 11 sh AREA IV History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences 20 qh or 12 sh TOTALS 65 qh or 41 sh
PRE-PROFESSIONAL/PRE-MAJOR STUDIES
(approx. 1/3 of Freshman/Sophomore Years)AREA V Pre-Professional, Pre-Major and Electives 31 qh or 19-23 sh 31 qh or 19-23 sh
TOTALS SUMMARY 65 qh or 41 sh 31 qh or 19-23 sh 96 qh or 60-64 sh Note: Under the AGSC guidelines, the receiving institution is only required to accept and give credit for 1/2 of the total bachelor degree program hours (not to exceed 64 semester hours) upon transfer from a community/junior college. Four-year to four-year transfer work beyond 1/2 of the total bachelor degree hours would be evaluated on a course by course basis by the receiving institution.
In addition to establishing AREAS I-V, the AGSC has various academic committees to review and recommend general studies courses and program requirements for the freshman and sophomore years for their specific discipline. These committees are made up of representatives from higher education institutions around the state. Each member of a discipline committee has expertise in his/her field (discipline). To read more about the Academic Committees, click here.
General Studies Curriculum Core (41 SH)
Forty-one semester hours of credit in general studies core courses have been approved by the Articulation and General Studies Committee. The general studies curriculum core includes study in the areas of written composition, humanities and fine arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and history, social, and behavioral sciences.
AREA I - Written Composition (6SH)
Effective written communication skills are essential in a literate society. Minimum requirements include at least 6 semester hours in written composition.For list of AGSC Approved Courses by Area, click here.
AREA II - Humanities and Fine Arts (12SH)
Study in the humanities addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics, or aesthetics as they are represented in literature, philosophy, religion, and the arts, and is fundamental to general education. Minimum requirements include at least 12 semester hours in humanities with a minimum of 3 semester hours in literature*, 3 semester hours in the arts, and the remaining semester hours from the humanities and/or fine arts. In addition to literature, disciplines in the humanities include, but are not limited to, philosophy, religious studies, speech, foreign languages, art, music, theatre, and dance.*As a part of the General Studies Curriculum, students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence either in literature (Area II) or history (Area IV).
For list of AGSC Approved Courses by Area, click here.
Courses should be broad in scope and content rather than specific and should emphasize a global perspective. Courses in the arts should emphasize history and appreciation rather than performance. Examples in the humanities and fine arts include, but are not limited to, world literature, art history, music appreciation, comparative religions, and history or origins of dance.
AREA III - Natural Sciences and Mathematics (11 SH)
Study in the natural sciences and mathematics emphasizes the scientific method and applies quantitative or inductive reasoning. Minimum requirements include at least 11 semester hours with at least 3 semester hours in mathematics* at the pre-calculus algebra level or Finite Mathematics level unless otherwise specified and at least 8 semester hours in the natural sciences which must include laboratory experiences. Disciplines in the natural sciences include but are not limited to, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.*Some mathematics courses are offered for 4 semester credit hours. Only minimum semester requirements are indicated.
For list of AGSC Approved Courses by Area, click here.
AREA IV - History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences (12 SH)
Study in history and the social and behavioral sciences deals primarily with the study of human behavior, social and political structures, and economics. Minimum requirements include 12 semester hours with at least a 3 semester hours course in history* and at least 6 semester hours from among other disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. Disciplines include, but are not limited to, anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology.*As a part of the General Studies Curriculum, students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence either in literature (Area II) or history (Area IV).
For list of AGSC Approved Courses by Area, click here.
Courses should be broad in scope and content, include global or international perspectives, and must emphasize the methods of inquiry in the social sciences.
The Maximum Total for AREAS I-IV is 41 Semester Hours
AREA V - Pre-Professional, Major, and Elective Courses (19-23 SH)
Area V is designated for courses appropriate to the degree/major requirements of the individual student (it may also include electives*).
*Some institutions may include courses in wellness or physical education.
GRAND TOTAL for AREAS I-V: 60-64 SH
Note: For institutions requiring 120 semester hours for graduation the maximum allowable hours for transfer from a community college into a four-year baccalaureate degree program will be 60 semester hours.
For more information about the AGSC, contact:
