Start with a Plan. Finish with a Degree.

DE Degree Guides

Make your Dual Enrollment credits count toward your future degree.

Gordon State College's Dual Enrollment Degree Guides help students select college courses based on their future major, degree, or career goals. Each guide provides a suggested course sequence designed to help students complete Core Curriculum and other requirements that can move them closer to a degree at Gordon State College or another University System of Georgia institution.

Not sure what you want to major in yet? That's okay. Start with the Core Curriculum / General Studies Guide to complete broadly applicable college requirements while keeping your options open.

Want to jump ahead? Click a guide below to go directly to that section.

The guides below are suggested pathways only; students are not required to follow them. Students should work with their high school counselor and college advisor to select courses that best fit their academic goals and timelines.

Biology & Natural Sciences

Best for: Students interested in biology, the natural sciences, pre-med, pre-veterinary studies, or other science-based degree and career pathways.

Build a strong foundation in biology, mathematics, science, and Core Curriculum requirements while preparing for advanced study in the natural sciences or professional pathways such as medicine or veterinary medicine.

VIEW BIOLOGY & NATURAL SCIENCES GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Build toward Calculus: Follow the College Algebra (MATH 1111) pathway toward Precalculus and Calculus rather than Quantitative Reasoning (MATH 1001) or Statistics (MATH 1401).
  • Choose STEM-level sciences: Take principles-level lab sciences appropriate for Biology and Natural Sciences majors rather than introductory lab sciences designed for non-STEM majors.
  • Plan for your intended degree: Review the program maps and advising sheets for colleges you may attend and prioritize courses required for your intended Biology or Natural Sciences program.

Business

Best for: Students interested in business, management, entrepreneurship, finance, or related fields.

Complete Core Curriculum and introductory business courses that can prepare you for degrees such as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or other business-related programs.

VIEW BUSINESS GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Explore Business pathways: Gordon State College offers concentrations in FinTech, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (eMajor), Hospitality Management, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, and Applied Economics.
  • Choose your concentration early: Requirements vary by concentration. Areas such as Cybersecurity and Applied Economics can be more math-intensive than other Business pathways.
  • Choose math strategically: Consider Statistics (MATH 1401) rather than College Algebra (MATH 1111) unless your concentration, degree program, or transfer institution requires College Algebra or higher-level math.

Computer Science

Best for: Students interested in pursuing a degree or career in computer science or a related math- or programming-based technology field.

Build a strong foundation in mathematics and technology-related coursework while preparing for continued study in computer science, computer engineering, programming, and related fields.

VIEW COMPUTER SCIENCE GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Be Calculus-ready: Aim to place directly into Calculus I (MATH 1501) your first semester of college by completing the appropriate College Algebra/Precalculus pathway in high school.
  • Know the math expectations: Computer Science programs typically require a strong foundation in mathematics and quantitative problem-solving.
  • Consider related pathways: Students who enjoy technology but are less interested in advanced mathematics may want to explore Information Technology (IT) as an alternative.

Core Curriculum / General Studies

Best for: Students who are undecided about their future major, want to keep their college options open, or plan to pursue a non-STEM field.

Build a strong foundation by completing Core Curriculum courses that can apply toward a variety of associate and bachelor's degree programs.

VIEW CORE CURRICULUM / GENERAL STUDIES GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Best for non-STEM pathways: Ideal for majors including but not limited to Business, English, History, Psychology, Nursing, and Education.
  • STEM students: Avoid introductory lab sciences on this guide; STEM majors often require specific science sequences.
  • Easy to pivot: Start here and transition to another major-specific guide in Semester 3 or 4.

Education

Best for: Students interested in becoming a teacher or pursuing another career in education.

Complete Core Curriculum and recommended courses that can help prepare you for a degree leading to careers in elementary, secondary, special education, or other education fields.

VIEW EDUCATION GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Follow the Education pathway: Prioritize courses that apply directly to your intended Education degree and support progress toward teacher preparation and certification requirements.
  • Know your CTAE credit: Students completing an approved CTAE Education pathway may receive credit for EDUC 2110. Confirm eligibility with your high school counselor and college advisor.
  • Choose Education courses carefully: Early Childhood Education courses generally do not apply toward Primary/Elementary or Secondary Education degrees. Focus on courses required by your intended Education program.

Engineering

Best for: Students interested in engineering or another STEM-related field.

Begin building the mathematics, science, and Core Curriculum foundation needed to pursue an engineering or STEM degree.

VIEW ENGINEERING GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Be Calculus-ready: Aim to place directly into Calculus I (MATH 1501) your first semester of college after high school.
  • Choose STEM-level sciences: Take principles-level lab sciences rather than introductory sciences designed for non-STEM majors.
  • Plan for your intended degree: Review the program maps and advising sheets for colleges you may attend and prioritize courses required for your intended Engineering or STEM program.

Health Sciences

Best for: Students interested in healthcare careers beyond clinical nursing.

Build a college foundation for degrees and careers in areas such as healthcare administration, hospital administration, health services, and other health-related fields.

[VIEW HEALTH SCIENCES GUIDE — COMING SOON]

Student Guidance

  • Explore Health Sciences pathways: Gordon State College offers concentrations in Health Information Management, Health Science, Public Health, and Exercise Science.
  • Explore before choosing: Students typically do not need to select a concentration before entering college and can use early college coursework to explore their interests and career goals.
  • Choose math and science strategically: Health Sciences students generally do not need the STEM-level Calculus and principles-science pathway required for majors such as Biology or Engineering.

History

Best for: Students interested in pursuing a degree or career in History or a related humanities or social science field.

Build a strong foundation in Core Curriculum and history coursework while preparing for continued study in History, education, law, public service, and related fields.

VIEW HISTORY GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Build your History foundation: History majors typically need four lower-level History surveys, including both U.S. History surveys. Consider courses in U.S. History, Western Civilization, and World History.
  • Choose non-STEM math: History students can generally follow the Quantitative Reasoning (MATH 1001) or Statistics (MATH 1401) pathway rather than a STEM-focused math sequence.
  • Introductory sciences are appropriate: History majors generally do not need principles-level STEM sciences, allowing additional credits to focus on History and Core Curriculum requirements.

Information Technology

Best for: Students interested in pursuing a degree or career in information technology or a related technology field.

Build a strong foundation in Core Curriculum and technology-related coursework while preparing for continued study in information technology, computing, and related fields.

VIEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Know the difference: Information Technology (IT) generally focuses on applying and managing technology and is less math-intensive than Computer Science.
  • Build your IT foundation: Complete CSCI 1101 (Introduction to Computer Science) relatively early while progressing through Core Curriculum requirements.
  • Choose courses strategically: IT students generally do not need advanced STEM math or principles-level sciences. Select math and science courses based on your intended IT degree and transfer requirements.

Nursing

Best for: Students planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or related nursing degree.

Focus your Dual Enrollment coursework on Core Curriculum and science courses that can help prepare you for future nursing program requirements.

VIEW NURSING GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Choose your Nursing pathway: Determine whether you plan to pursue a BSN, ASN, or another Nursing pathway, since prerequisites and degree requirements can differ.
  • Prioritize strong academic performance: Nursing programs are rigorous and competitive. Aim for strong grades, especially in science, math, and prerequisite courses.
  • Use advising early: Consult Gordon State College's academic advisor for Nursing when selecting courses or planning for Nursing prerequisites and admission requirements.

Psychology & Human Services

Best for: Students interested in psychology, human services, behavioral sciences, or related fields.

Begin completing Core Curriculum and psychology courses that can provide a strong foundation for a future degree in psychology, human services, or a related discipline.

VIEW PSYCHOLOGY & HUMAN SERVICES GUIDE

Student Guidance

  • Build your Psychology foundation: Take PSYC 1101 (Introductory Psychology) and PSYC 2103 (Human Growth & Development) relatively early to prepare for later coursework.
  • Choose the right math pathway: Psychology and Human Services students can generally follow Quantitative Reasoning (MATH 1001) or Statistics (MATH 1401) rather than College Algebra (MATH 1111), depending on degree and transfer requirements.
  • Explore related fields: Consider coursework in areas such as Criminal Justice or Business to broaden career options and complement interests in psychology and human services.

Which Guide Should I Choose?

Choose the guide that most closely matches the degree or career you currently plan to pursue. You are not choosing or declaring your college major by selecting a Dual Enrollment Degree Guide. These guides are planning tools designed to help you make informed course choices and use your Dual Enrollment credits strategically.

If you're unsure which guide is right for you, the Core Curriculum / General Studies Guide is a great place to start.

Need Help? Students, parents or guardians, and high school counselors with questions about choosing a guide can contact the GSC Dual Enrollment team at dualenrollment@gordonstate.edu.