Associate of science (AS) – general degree

It’s a steppingstone to a bachelor’s degree. Complete nearly all your general education requirements and take first- and second-year courses in your field of interest before attending a four-year school. 

Secondary degree. This is a great option for pre-health students. With only a few additional courses, you could graduate from Stark State with two associate degrees and can transition easily to a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree.

You can begin working on your AS degree in your first semester. We strongly suggest completing any developmental coursework within your first two semesters at Stark State.

Absolutely. We accept transfer credits from accredited institutions, particularly those that meet Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) and TAG requirements and match our course offerings. Beyond traditional college credits, we also evaluate and grant credit for prior learning gained through work experience, military service, previous education, Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores and international coursework. Our admissions and advising teams will work with you to maximize the credits you’ve already earned and create an efficient path to degree completion.

Yes. Our programs offer exceptional flexibility. You can pursue multiple associate degrees simultaneously by declaring your preferred major first, followed by secondary majors. Popular combinations for the AS – general include a health degree, but also most science degrees as well, such as biology, chemistry, physics, math or pre-med. 

This approach allows you to build a robust foundation across multiple STEM disciplines while maximizing your educational investment and career opportunities.

Our science laboratories provide an outstanding learning environment with small class sizes, excellent facilities and exceptional instrumentation for a two-year college. The laboratory instruction and facilities ensure you develop practical skills that are directly applicable to workplace settings and advanced academic programs.

No. Unlike other institutions, we don’t charge additional laboratory fees or extra costs for our science courses. Your tuition covers all laboratory materials, equipment usage and course resources. This makes our science programs not only academically excellent but also financially transparent and affordable.

Yes. Our program is specifically designed with transfer students in mind. Most of our courses transfer seamlessly through the Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) guarantee and/or Transfer Assurance Guide (TAG), ensuring your credits will be accepted at four-year institutions throughout Ohio.

We offer a complete set of second-year courses and a broad range of general education electives that are well aligned with university requirements. This means you can complete your first two years of coursework here and transition smoothly into your junior year at a four-year college or university, saving both time and money.  We currently have established transfer agreements with The University of Akron, Kent State University and The Ohio State University for our AS – general degree.

Yes. We offer multiple pathways for undergraduate research experience. You can participate through our Honors Program, enroll in independent research courses (SCI) or pursue internship opportunities with external organizations. Research experience is invaluable if you plan to transfer to a four-year institution or enter competitive career fields. Our faculty are eager to mentor motivated students in meaningful projects.

We offer courses in a variety of formats, from fully online to in-person, so you can choose what works best for your schedule.

• Many courses are offered in a hybrid format with in-person labs combined with online lectures, allowing you to get hands-on experience that’s also flexible with your schedule.
• Some coursework can be completed in the evening or during summer sessions.
• Fully online options are available for most courses, including several introductory science labs.
• A few advanced physics and chemistry courses are only offered in person to preserve the highest-quality hands-on learning experience.
• We integrated laboratory and lecture components into one connected course instead of offering them separately, which helps ensure a cohesive learning experience.

We offer a variety of course formats so you can learn in the way that works best for you. Courses are available in 16-week traditional semester formats, 8-week accelerated formats (offered in the first 8-week, second 8-week and summer terms), and 5-week intensive formats in the summer only. This variety allows you to customize your pace and complete your degree on a timeline that works for you.

Stark State’s Science Learning Centers (SLC) have peer and bachelor’s level tutors ready to help students in most of our science courses. Free tutoring is offered in person and online. Stark State also has other learning centers for math and writing.

We have a caring Disability Support Services (DSS) office, ready to help you with any accommodation you may need – from extra time on an exam to a broken leg. 

Our faculty are always eager to help during scheduled office hours – both in person and online as well. Your advisor is an instructor in your field, which means they’re knowledgeable about your program.

Along with other student campus jobs, we offer positions such as peer tutors in the Science Learning Center and student laboratory technicians. These roles provide valuable experience, help offset educational costs and build connections with faculty who can serve as mentors and references.

Our faculty are exceptional, highly qualified, dedicated, passionate and genuinely student focused. They bring both academic expertise and relevant career experience to the classroom, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. All of our laboratory science courses are taught by faculty members, not teaching assistants. This means you’ll receive direct instruction, mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals throughout your entire academic journey.