Academic Programs

General Education

Overview

General Education courses at Ensign College focus on empowering learners personally, spiritually, civically, professionally, and into the eternities.  Learning experiences and environments are designed around principles from Doctrine & Covenants 88.  Students are asked to seek wisdom and embrace truth “that they may be prepared in all things” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:80).

General Education courses support the College’s mission, to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ.  Learning happens not only in classrooms, but in the mind, heart, hands, and whole soul of learners as they seek the presence, guidance, and influence of the Holy Ghost.  Learning by study and faith is the bedrock for learning and teaching endeavors.  Seeking truth, light, knowledge, and understanding is a common pattern in these courses, along with principles and themes from Doctrine & Covenants 88.

Using the Ensign College Learning Signature, the GE courses offer real and relevant immersive learning experiences and environments, helping students to achieve Deep Learning—to know, do, and become.  Students are tasked with responsibility for their learning, just as Nephi on the shores of Bountiful when he was asked to build a ship.  Common patterns of learning include seeking, discovering, inquiry-based thinking, and problem-solving while critically reflecting throughout the learning process.

Learners act as agents of their learning in ambiguous situations, thus becoming more agile as they demonstrate mastery of program and course outcomes through practice, demonstration, and purposeful application.  The College-Wide Capabilities are integrated and interwoven throughout the GE experience with immediate application of lifelong skills.
General Education courses are designed to offer transformational learning experiences as students are magnified in mind and heart, discovering their purpose and personal mission of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.

General Education Outcomes

Students graduating from Ensign College with an Associate of Science degree will

• Reinforce the acquisition of College-Wide Capabilities for the development of spiritual and temporal self-reliance

• Demonstrate the integration of knowledge and skills through “thinking and doing” to solve real and relevant problems

• Increase in self-awareness while demonstrating empathy and examining perspectives of self, others, and place in the global world

• Discern truth from error through discovery, analysis, synthesis, and engage in big questions, both contemporary and enduring

• Critically reflect by articulating ways of learning and thinking

General education courses are part of the requirements for the Associate of Science degree.  This degree is designed for students who want to transfer to four-year institutions and continue their education.  To maximize transferability, students should complete all the general education requirements for the AS degree and graduate from Ensign College.  Students desiring to transfer should meet with an Ensign College academic advisor to learn more about transferability of courses and degrees.

Ensign College works to establish articulation agreements with other colleges and universities for students in their continued pursuits of lifelong learning and academics.  Students interested in transferring credits to another college or university should review that institution’s transfer guidelines and policies.  Students are encouraged to contact the four-year institutions to which they plan to transfer and check degree requirements and departmental prerequisites.  Ensign College makes no guarantee of credit transfer and cannot negotiate or change the graduation requirements of another higher education institution.

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Bachelors of Applied Science

A minimum of 120 credits are required.

A minimum of 40 credit hours of upper-division classes (>300 level) are required.

Associate of Science

Degree

Associate of Science

A minimum of 60 credits are required.

The AS degree, as a regionally accredited degree, is a transfer degree because it satisfies the majority of lower-division general education requirements and should be accepted at four-year institutions.

Depending on the requirements of the receiving institution, students may be required to complete additional courses to meet specific institutional graduation requirements.

Students earn the AS degree by coursework in each of the areas below.

At least 25% of required credits must be earned directly from Ensign College.

Career Opportunities

The Associate of Science degree gives students a quick entry into the marketplace now as well as the option for continued education to advance their careers in the future.  The eternal truths acquired in this distinctly LDS environment help build family and prepare the student for leadership in employment, the Church, and community.  You will find career opportunities on the web pages for each certificate.

Course Requirements

Students are responsible to examine the course description of each course listed below for details of prerequisites, which must be satisfied before registering for the course.

Associate of Applied Science

Minimum credits are outlined below.

• The AAS degree is not a transfer degree.  This degree is provided in fields of study where additional education does not significantly increase employability.
• Required credits include religion, program required college courses, program core courses, and if applicable, electives.
• Some individual course credits may transfer to other institutions depending on the requirements of the institution receiving the transfer request.
• At least 25% of required credits must be earned directly from Ensign College.

Certificates

There are several certificates offered at the College and all certificates can be either completed as a stand-alone certificate or as part of the AS degree requirements.

Certificates completed as a stand-alone certificate are only eligible for federal financial aid (pending FAFSA eligibility) if the certificate is more than 15 credits.

All certificates are eligible for federal financial aid (pending FAFSA eligibility) as part of the AS degree requirements. 

*Programs are not eligible for federal financial aid as a stand-alone certificate.

Other

Aerospace Studies

Air Force ROTC (Four Semesters) Career Opportunities

Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC) trains individuals interested in becoming officers in the United States Air Force. The first two years offer academic preparation in interdisciplinary areas, including communication skills, Air Force history, leadership and management principles and practices, decision making theory and policy formulation, ethics and valuing. Excellent scholarship opportunities are available.

Objectives

Ensign College has an agreement with the University of Utah that allows a student interested in participating in the Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) program, to register for the first two years of AFROTC at Ensign College and attend classes at the University of Utah. Credits earned will be posted as elective credits on the student’s Ensign College transcript. Upon completing studies at the College, credits earned will transfer to any college or university that offers Air Force ROTC. This provides matriculated students an opportunity to earn commissions as officers in the U.S. Air Force in conjunction with completing bachelor’s or higher degree requirements in academic fields of the student’s choice. AFROTC provides education that develops abilities and attitudes vital to the career of a professional Air Force officer and gives an understanding of the mission and the global responsibilities of the U.S. Air Force.

General Areas of Competence

The Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Utah offers academic preparation in interdisciplinary areas including communication skills, Air Force history, leadership and management principles and practices, decision-making theory and policy formulation, ethics and values, socialization process within the armed services, national and international relations, national defense structure, national security policy, and military law. Entry into the General Military Course (GMC) during the first two years of AFROTC is open to all students. Entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC) during the final two years is selective and is normally initiated during the student’s sophomore year.

Program Preparatory Courses and Departmental Requirements

The semesters in which courses are taught are listed below and in the course descriptions. Students should check the semester class schedule for day availability (no evening classes) and modifications due to varying enrollment.
Enrollment is open to men and women who:

• Are U.S. citizens or applicants for naturalization (aliens may participate in the general military course for academic credit only)
• Are at least 14 years of age and
• Are enrolled as full-time students in a course of study leading to an academic degree