General Education
Core Education for Well-Rounded Students
Pursuing an associate’s degree in a trade or technical skill provides students not only with hands-on training to maximize their career, but also with skills valued by employers. Understanding science and math concepts, strong communication skills, the willingness to learn, and knowing how to connect with the world around you provide the ‘soft skills’ and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in your chosen career path.
Communication and the World
English, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Classes in the humanities provide an essential element of earning a certificate or degree. Research has found that students with humanities courses step into the workforce with dynamic transferable skills, such as critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communicating with nuance. Employers across many industries seek graduates who are not only skilled in their trade or technical field but also are able to contribute to a team, showcase flexibility, and use empathy in the workplace. Coursework in the humanities has also demonstrated that students make broader contributions to society. At Thaddeus Stevens College, we approach education with the mindset that the best team members are those who bring both technical mastery and a genuine ability to collaborate.
The Way Things Work
Math, Science, and Computer Information Systems
Science and mathematics are the backbone of technical education. At Thaddeus Stevens College, our general education courses are designed to reinforce and deepen the skills students apply every day in the lab. These applied courses directly impact the contributions each student makes on their projects, at their in-field work experiences, and with larger endeavors like the Home Construction Project. From principles of physics that drive mechanical systems and 3D product designs to the calculations behind precision machining and welding, what students learn in these courses shows up in their actions daily.
Each academic program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology requires general education courses as a meaningful part of each student’s journey. These courses are designed to do more than check a box or meet a regulatory requirement. They strengthen the academic foundation, allowing students to apply deeper knowledge to their technical or trade learning, as well as sharpening the broader social skills employers pursue.
To graduate, students successfully complete 25 general education credits spanning liberal arts and science core. Combined, these experiences round out a Thaddeus Stevens College education and help ensure each graduate leaves here not just job-ready with technical abilities, but also as a capable and well-prepared individual ready for whatever comes next.
Check out our Catalog
You can review the catalog at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology to review the general education requirements for each academic program, as well as elective options.
Inspiring Outcomes
An education from Thaddeus Stevens College’s Workforce and Economic Development Center provides the springboard for a sustainable future.
97%
graduates pursuing
continuing education
or employed.
$52,500K
median first-year
salary