General Studies Certificate Program
The Online Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies is a great way to begin your college education and build the foundation for your new career path. Unlike sitting in crowded lecture halls, online learning allows you to study in your own home, and at the pace that’s right for you. You’ll complete two required online general education courses and three electives at any average rate of just $79 per credit and there’s no application fee. So you can save money and begin learning something new today.
You may also be able to get transfer credit at other colleges or universities for each of the courses you successfully complete with Penn Foster and this could allow you to complete your college degree at a more affordable price. The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for all of the courses in Penn Foster College’s Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies program. More than 2,000 higher education institutions consider ACE credit recommendations for incoming transfer students. Of course, neither ACE CREDIT nor any other form of recommendation or accreditation can guarantee that a learning institution will accept Penn Foster credits as transfer credits. Every institution makes its own decision about transfer credits.
Program Goal and Outcomes
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Program Goal
The Undergraduate Certificate in General Studies Program prepares students to continue their education in an associate or bachelor's degree program.
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Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate computer and information literacy
- Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences
- Demonstrate a high level of inquiry, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills
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Course 1
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Basic Skills Assessment
All applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.
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| CSC104 |
Computer Applications 3 credits
This course will allow you to build your computer skills through a combination of reading and hands-on practice. You will navigate popular software tools such as Windows® and Microsoft® Office.
Objectives:
- Create, edit, and illustrate Microsoft® Word™ documents.
- Apply formulas and functions to large data sets in Microsoft® Excel.®
- Incorporate useful charts and graphs to summarize data.
- Add, delete, sort, and lay out table data.
- Create presentations in Microsoft® PowerPoint® using advanced tools, tables, and charts.
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Course 2
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Science Elective (Choose one) 3 credits
SCI110-Earth Science
This course will allow you to learn about planet Earth and the various aspects of the environment.
Objectives:
- Describe specific characteristics of Earth.
- Describe different types of rocks and minerals.
- Discuss the various components of our solar system.
- Explain the components of weather and climates.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Earth Science
SCI120-Introduction to Biology
This course will allow you to explore the origin of life and the relationships among all living things.
Objectives:
- Explain how organisms are structured and how they work.
- Discuss the various forms of life and their processes.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Essentials of Biology
SCI140-Nutrition
This course will allow you to develop a healthier lifestyle by making smarter nutritional decisions.
Objectives:
- Explain the various components of nutrition as a science.
- Describe nutrition from a global viewpoint.
- Understand the importance of water and exercise.
- Identify the basics of human growth and aging.
- Discuss food safety procedures.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Personal Nutrition
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Course 3
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Social Science Elective (Choose one) 3 credits
SSC105-World Civilizations
This course will help you understand the importance of studying history as it relates to the individual and society as a whole.
Objectives:
- Discuss the major events of the sixteenth through twentieth centuries.
- Explain the consequences of events and the trends that they cause.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Understanding World Societies, A Brief History: Volume 2: Since 1450
SSC125-Introduction to Sociology
This course is designed to introduce you to social structure and social interaction through groups, networks, and organizations. Study politics, the economy, population, social movements, technology, and social change.
Objectives:
- Describe deviance, crime, and social control.
- Discuss the effects of stratification, racial and ethnic inequality, sex, gender, and sexuality.
- Examine the role of health, family, education, and religion in human behavior.
SSC130-Essentials of Psychology
This course will introduce you to the relationship between biology and behavior. You will learn about human development throughout the life span.
Objectives:
- Identify major psychological theories.
- Discuss consciousness, memory, thought, and language.
- Define intelligence, personality, and stress.
- Analyze the role of gender in psychology.
- Explain how community influences behavior.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Psychology and Your Life
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Course 4
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Arts and Humanities Elective (Choose one) 3 credits
HUM102 - Art Appreciation
This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to critique a variety of artwork.
Objectives:
- Understand artistic media.
- Identify historical periods and artistic movements.
- Explain the roles of the artist and the viewer.
Additional Course Material:
Textbook: The Power of Art
HUM104 - Music Appreciation
This course will allow you to understand and appreciate the art of music.
Objectives:
- Identify the basic principles of music theory, including melody, harmony, dynamics, and timbre.
- Name the main types of musical instruments.
- Distinguish various styles of music.
- Identify influential composers of various periods of musical history.
ENG115 - Introduction to Literature
This course will allow you to develop your critical thinking skills and broaden your knowledge of literature.
Objectives:
- Identify themes and forms of literature.
- Define the main genres of literature—poetry, fiction, and drama.
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Course 5
| ENG100 |
English Composition 3 credits
This course will allow you to polish and enhance your writing skills.
Objectives:
- Effectively use free writing and brainstorming.
- Perfect your ability to edit and revise your writing.
- Apply techniques for getting the reader’s attention.
- Write descriptive essays, first-person narratives, reflective essays, persuasive essays, and effective thesis statements.
Additional Course Materials:
- Textbook: Successful College Writing
- Supplement:The Little, Brown Essential Handbook
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Proctored Exam
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Exam information
This assessment will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the program. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.
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Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need high-speed internet access to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 7® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running OS X® or later, and an email account to participate in and complete your program.
Sample Lesson
To view a General Studies sample lesson, click here.
Undergraduate Certificate Program Details
Penn Foster College’s Online General Studies certificate program awards graduates 15 credits for successfully completing five courses, including two required courses and three electives. Computer Applications and English Composition are required, and you choose one elective within each of the following categories:
- Social Science
- Science
- Arts and Humanities
Remember, this certificate program is not a degree program; a student does not receive a degree upon completion of the program.
