General Education
      General education is a significant part of every degree program at Hesston College. The general education curriculum includes courses from the skill areas, the social sciences, history and the humanities, the natural sciences and math, and Bible and religion. These courses help the student to become a competent communicator, a critical thinker, a socially responsible person, an integrative thinker, and a person of biblical understanding and faith.

Degrees Granted
      Hesston College awards the following degrees.

Associate of Arts (A.A.)
      The Associate of Arts is awarded to students who complete a broad distribution of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It serves the needs of those transferring into a four-year program after two years of study at Hesston. It includes the general education courses typically required in the first two years of a four-year program of study. See page 36 for details.

Associate of Science (A.S.)
      The Associate of Science is awarded to students who complete a broad distribution of courses like those of the A.A., but with the emphasis on math and the natural sciences. It serves the needs of students transferring into a four-year program in the sciences, medicine, computer science, mathematics, and engineering. See page 37 for details.

Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences (A.A.A.S.)
      The Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences is awarded to students who complete a combination of general education and technical courses in aviation, Bible, business, computer information technology, early childhood education, nursing, or pastoral ministries. It serves those who intend to seek entry-level employment in one of these fields after two years of study at Hesston. See page 46 for details.

Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies
      Commencement exercises are held once a year on the first Sunday morning after the close of spring semester. Students who will have completed at least 57 hours are invited to participate with the degree awarded when all graduation requirements are met.
      Requirements for a degree may be completed during any term, with the official graduation date being the date that the last requirement is met. For students who complete degree requirements by transferring work back to Hesston College from another institution, the graduation date is the date the registrar receives the transcript.

Second Degree
      Students with one Hesston College degree may receive a second degree upon completion of a minimum of twelve Hesston College hours and all departmental graduation requirements. These hours are in addition to those required for the first degree.