General Studies / Exploratory major

Academic Advisers

AATC: Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7315 | Room AC2253 | Advising.Questions@mhcc.edu |  Students with last name A-Cg
Layne Morell: Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7372 | Room AC2253 | Layne.Morell@mhcc.edu | Students with last name Cf-F
David Arguello:  Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7418 | Room AC2253 | David.Arguello@mhcc.edu | Students with last name G-J
Graham Phillips: Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-6071 | Room AC2253 | Graham.Phillips@mhcc.edu | Students with last name K-Mn
Jennifer Hare: Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7494 | Room AC2253 | Jennifer.Hare@mhcc.edu | Students with last name Mo-P
Emma Zwaschka: Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7227 | Room AC2253 | Emma.Zwaschka@mhcc.edu | Students with last name Q-S
Chelsea Roweder: 
Schedule appointment thru Navigate | 503-491-7644 | Room AC2253 | Chelsea.Roweder@mhcc.edu | Students with last name T-Z

The General Studies major allows students to explore many subjects while earning credits toward a degree. Many students start on this path if they plan to apply for a health professions or career technical program at MHCC.

If you wish you change your major, please email advising.questions@mhcc.edu or call 503-491-7315. 

Students who are interested in one of MHCC’s Health Professions programs can follow the AGS in Health Professions Exploration degree.

All students should work with an adviser to make an education plan.

Curricular Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Establish short and long term academic and career goals
  • Utilize learned skills and strategies to continue personal and professional exploration, growth and development
  • Identify and evaluate personal preferences for university transfer

Start of your first year

  • Meet with MHCC adviser to discuss your degree path and/or log on to Navigate to start the process of building an academic plan based on this major and notify an adviser for review.
  • Register for introductory classes as identified by your course placement
  • Research transfer schools and areas of interest
  • Go to Oregon Transfer Days, held every January

End of your first year

  • Use your Degree Audit to build a personalized term-by-term education plan
  • Change your major if you’ve decided on something other than General Studies
  • Make a list of four-year schools that interest you
  • Meet with your adviser and discuss dual enrollment options
  • Go visit potential schools, or talk to a school rep
  • Visit the AATC advisers to discuss your plans

Start of your second year

  • Attend Oregon Transfer Day
  • Make a decision about which schools you'll apply to
  • Fill out admissions and financial aid forms for your future school
  • Meet with an adviser from your future school about requirements for your major
  • Register for MHCC classes specific to your major

End of your second year

  • Meet with an adviser at your transfer school to figure out what classes you still need.
  • Apply for graduation

Students pursuing a general studies major or degree are recommended to complete the following courses:

HD100CCollege Success1-3
or HD100A College Success (Course offered online)
or HD101 On Track for College Success (Course offered online)
HD105Scholarship Success2
HD130Today's Careers2
or HD130AT Introduction to Careers: Applied Technology (Course offered online)
or HD130HC Introduction to Today's Careers: Health (Course offered online)
HD208Career and Life Planning (Course offered online)1-3
or HD110 Navigating Career Change (Course offered online)
HD225Transferring to a Four-Year College2

HD090 Transition to College

Credit 1Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Instructor consent is required.

This pre-college course prepares Transitions students to take appropriate college classes the following term. The class includes a one-hour lecture each week. Students learn how to find money for school, identify community and campus resources, create personal support systems and develop basic planning and organizational skills for success in college classes. Competencies include learning how to apply for financial aid, create and effectively use study groups for personal and academic support, outline math course success, understand basic computer literacy and create a realistic and effective personal and academic plan for the following term.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of educational planning and college registration skills
  2. Develop personal time management plan
  3. Identify financial resources to assist students to finance college.
  4. Identify student support programs on campus (ie: Financial Aid, TRIO-SSS, Academic Advising, CPCC)

HD100A College Success (Course offered online)

Credit 1Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

This course focuses on empowering students to create greater success in their academic, professional, and personal lives by developing a better understanding of themselves and their choices. Students will learn various approaches to making a smooth transition to college life; develop the ability to use MHCC information and resources; apply proven strategies for motivation, goal-setting, and overcoming barriers; analyze their own self-awareness, habits, and values; and create greater academic, professional, and personal success. Course outcomes for both HD100A and HD100C are similar, yet the number of classroom hours differs. Students may receive credit for either 1cr HD100A or 3cr HD100C, but not both.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply growth mindset strategies for success by increasing self-awareness through identifying one's growth and fixed mindsets and identifying potential personal barriers
  2. Demonstrate connection between personal goals and academic planning
  3. Identify college services and resources that will assist and support student success
  4. Locate and utilize campus resources for degree and career planning

HD100C College Success

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

This course develops student understanding of the college culture and community. Course topics include college services, policies and procedures; goal setting; time management; educational planning; student responsibility, and learning strategies for college success. Course outcomes for both HD100A and HD100C are similar, yet the number of classroom hours differs. Students may receive credit for either 1cr HD100A or 3cr HD100C, but not both.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of financial literacy [understand financial aid process including how to manage financial aid funds, identify scholarships, meet appropriate deadlines, etc]
  2. Describe general concepts of personal responsibility and self management
  3. Develop a workable schedule in order to balance school, work, and personal commitments
  4. Explain the relationship of learning styles and college success and apply to learning strategies
  5. Identify college resources that will assist and support student success
  6. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses as a student
  7. Locate and utilize campus resources for registration, degree planning, and career exploration
  8. Write an education plan, incorporating general education requirements with academic and career goals

HD101 On Track for College Success (Course offered online)

Credits 2Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

This course focuses on active learning and practice of skills and strategies designed to facilitate overall success in a college environment. Personal development and behavior change are emphasized. Topics include educational planning, financial literacy, problem solving, communication skills, change strategies and personal emotional regulation. Time management, goal setting and decision making skills are also presented.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create an educational plan incorporating requirements to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress as well as general education requirements that correspond to academic and career goals
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of financial literacy, including the Federal Financial Aid process, by creating a personal budget, identifying scholarship sources and outlining important financial deadlines
  3. Develop effective change strategies and apply them to self-defeating behaviors
  4. Develop strategies to insure future academic success with particular emphasis on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, personal emotional regulation, problem solving processes and critical thinking analysis
  5. Identify personal barriers to academic success and develop strategies to overcome them
  6. Review college departments and resources that will assist in academic, financial and personal success
  7. Review college success strategies such as personal responsibility, time management, goal setting and decision making

HD105 Scholarship Success

Credits 2Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

Provides a systematic approach to researching and applying for scholarships. Topics include creating a scholarship portfolio, Oregon Student Assistance Commission application, MHCC Foundation application, internet resources, and research strategies. Students will identify skills, accomplishments, values, goals, and life experiences, and learn strategies to translate them into an effective scholarship application. Interviewing tips will be discussed. Panels and guest speakers, including scholarship winners, will share perspectives on the scholarship process.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create a long-term plan for annual scholarship applications, including working consistently to improve each aspect of the three main criteria (academic performance, out-of-school involvement and personal essays) necessary for successful scholarships
  2. Develop a personal scholarship portfolio, using time management skills effectively to produce scholarship applications and meet deadlines
  3. Discuss how to quickly and effectively research a large variety of pertinent scholarships
  4. Examine the general rules and techniques of creating a high-quality scholarship application can also apply to other aspects of life, including finding and successfully interviewing for future employment
  5. as well as preparing quality applications for transferring to four-year schools
  6. Identify and apply for at least one scholarship
  7. Identify personal experiences, skills, accomplishments, and life experiences important to presenting a positive picture of themselves in a scholarship application

HD110 Navigating Career Change (Course offered online)

Credit 1Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Not open to students who have completed HD208.

This course is designed to teach students who are experiencing a career change or trying to choose between 2-3 established career options the process for making career decisions. Students will learn skills in self-assessment, career research and decision making. Activities include taking career assessments (interests, skills and values), using online career research tools and identifying and enhancing personal decision making processes. A maximum of three credits will be awarded toward an MHCC degree to students who take both HD110 and HD208.

This course fulfills: Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Evaluate self-assessment and career-specific data to determine potential career and/or academic major choices.
  2. Identify personal career interests, skills and values through career assessments and other self-reflection activities.
  3. Utilize up to date and reliable computerized resources for career research and refining personal decision-making strategies

HD130 Today's Careers

Credits 2Fall/Winter/Spring

This course is designed to be an introductory exploration of various career clusters and career pathways. Students learn about the World of Work map, the Department of Education's 16 Career Clusters and how to access in-depth career information as well as hear from professionals in a variety of fields. Students create a plan for their next steps in the career exploration process. This class is best suited for students who (1) need help choosing a major or program of study, (2) are looking for a new career direction, and/or (3) are not sure where to begin their career exploration process. Students who take HD130 may not also earn credit for taking one of the industry-specific versions (such as HD130AT).

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create an individualized plan for their next steps in the career exploration process
  2. Describe, in general, various career clusters/pathways that exist in the context of the World of Work Map and the Department of Education's l6 Career Clusters
  3. Employ a variety of computer assisted career guidance programs (CACGS) to learn about specific careers
  4. Illustrate differences between career clusters/pathways based on work preferences (people, data/information, things, ideas)

HD130AT Introduction to Careers: Applied Technology (Course offered online)

Credits 2Winter/Spring

If you like to solve problems and prefer work that is physical, mechanical, and possibly outdoors but unsure of all your career options then this is the class for you! This course explores careers in our Applied Technology department including: Automotive, Machine Tool, Welding, Mechatronics and Engineering Technology. You will learn about numerous other careers including but not limited to: Natural Resources, Fisheries and the trade apprenticeship programs. The course includes 5 lab days where you will tour a department, learn about the workplace environment, physical requirements and complete a hands on project. You will also have 5 lecture days where you will identify your interests, skills, and values.

This course fulfills: Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Describe proper safety procedures common to the work environment, per industry standards, and use tools and equipment to complete hands on activities in Applied Technologies labs.
  2. Develop and practice decision making skills using a career decision making model.
  3. Evaluate personal skill, experience, interests and values and relate them to potential careers.
  4. Explain why human relation skills are important in today's workplace and how to develop the human relation skills employers want to see in employees and recent college graduates.
  5. Explore career pathways, academic expectations, shared prerequisite courses and alternate program options.
  6. Identify specifics about each Applied Technologies program area such as physical requirements, employment opportunities, wages and length of training.

HD130HC Introduction to Today's Careers: Health Professions (Course offered online)

Credits 2Fall/Winter/Spring

This course explores career opportunities in the health professions. The focus is on the educational and licensing requirements, professional and ethical responsibilities, physical requirements, workplace environment and career pathways of each profession.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply acquired knowledge to make informed health career decisions
  2. Explore career pathways, academic expectations, shared prerequisite courses and alternative program options
  3. Identify specifics about each profession such as physical requirements, employment opportunities, wages, and length of training

HD202 Life Transitions

Credits 3Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: This course is limited to Transitions students. Instructor consent is required.

This class is intended for persons involved in life changes who want to explore new directions, interests and the tools for improving self-esteem and confidence. Students focus on self-exploration and development of life-planning skills through a process of analyzing predictable life transitions. Emphasis is on developing and integrating skills in goal setting, decision making and plan implementation.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate how to effectively move through transitions in life in a productive and positive manner
  2. Develop a specific plan to complete a transition in a successful way
  3. Identify goals and objectives designed towards overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency
  4. Identify how confidence and self esteem assists in coping with life transitions
  5. Increase Knowledge and develop skills in scholarship application process
  6. Recognize and name the opportunities and choices inherent in all transitions
  7. Recognize and name the stages of life transitions
  8. Show how one’s own estimation of self-worth relates to future success

HD208 Career and Life Planning (Course offered online)

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This is an introductory career planning class, designed to guide you through the career decision-making process and to identify skills related to successful work environments. You will learn more about yourself: your interests, skills, values, and personality, and how these relate to career and college major choices. You will also learn how to research and evaluate careers, make decisions, set goals, and develop action plans. The course includes self-assessment activities, personality and interest inventories, career research, and use of computerized resources. A maximum of three credits will be awarded toward a MHCC degree to students who take both HD110 and HD208.

Additional Course Fee: $30.00

This course fulfills: Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. "Conduct research on potential careers using current and reliable information sources
  2. Describe the steps of an effective decision-making process and compare/contrast own typical approach to making decisions
  3. Develop an action plan that identifies barriers, short- and long-term goals, and needs related to career choices
  4. ""Evaluate self-assessment data and career research data to assess potential """"fit"""" with various career fields""
  5. Identify at least five (each) personal career-related values, interests, and skills
  6. Identify skills related to professionalism and success in the workplace
  7. "

HD209A How To Get the Job You Want

Credit 1Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course explores how to market one's self to potential employers. It covers current trends in the workplace, how to research potential employers, target job objectives and develop effective paperwork such as the resume, cover letter and difficult applications. How to do informational interviewing and prepare for professional interviews may also be covered. May practice through videotaping. This course is available for 1-3 credits. (This course may also be offered as three distinct courses: HD209INT, HD209LOC and HD209RES, all for one credit each.)

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create a professional resume and cover letter
  2. Demonstrate professional interviewing skills
  3. Market oneself to the job market
  4. Use appropriate tools and technology to research careers and available jobs

HD209RES Developing Your Resume (Course offered online)

Credit 1Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course is designed to introduce students to the process of writing a professional resume. Students learn how to identify their skills, education and experience, and create resumes targeted to specific positions. Students write at least one cover letter, chronological resume and functional resume. (One part of the three-credit HD209 course, not open to students who have completed HD209.)

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Create a professional profile statement
  2. Create a professional resume which highlights one's personal skills, education and experience relevant for a specific position
  3. Evaluate how to best market personal skills, education, and experience towards a specific position
  4. Evaluate uses of social media (i.e. LinkedIn) and/or other online resources appropriate for the application and marketing process
  5. Identify personal skills, education and experience
  6. Write a targeted cover letter which addresses how and why the individual is a good candidate for a specific position

HD225 Transferring to a Four-Year College

Credits 2Fall/Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels. Recommended HD100A or HD100C.

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution receive the opportunity to explore and gain an understanding of the various processes, requirements and issues that impact successful transitions from the community college. Emphasis is on identifying strategies and information critical to academic development and adjustment to four-year college systems. This course may include field trips to nearby four-year institutions.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Assess and describe components for time management, setting personal goals, and managing academic priorities
  2. Develop a timeline in which to apply for admission to the university or universities of their choosing
  3. Develop strategies to assist in coping with performance anxiety and increased academic pressure connected with upper division academics
  4. Examine the relationship of education to career and employment
  5. Explain the criteria and process of selecting a university
  6. Explore alternative methods and types of academic delivery including large lecture courses, distance learning and labs
  7. Formulate a financial plan and find resources to help pay for college
  8. Identify and develop an individualized support system to help ensure success at the university level by balancing work, academic and personal life
  9. Identify and discuss expectations of instructors at the university level
  10. Identify and locate resources and services provided by universities which ease transition from the community college level

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course