Students who graduate from Surry Community College's Associate Degree programs must demonstrate competence in reading, computer usage, written communication, oral communication, and quantitative skills as described here. These requirements apply to Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree recipients.

The College-wide Learning Outcomes are the learning goals for all Surry Community College students. As they are assessed inside and outside the classroom, these outcomes guide learning, decision-making, and actions by all members of the college community. The College-wide Learning Outcomes have the following definitions:

Critical Thinking

Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to demonstrate skill in "conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication."*

Communication

The Communication Learning Outcome measures the following skills: Writing, Speaking, and Reading.

Communicate effectively through writing: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to produce writing that is clear, precise, organized, incisive, and correct (according to the guidelines of Standard Written English) for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Communicate effectively through speaking: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to speak in a manner that is clear, precise, coherent, perceptive, audience-aware, and correct (according to the guidelines of Standard English) in both small and large group settings.

Communicate effectively through reading: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to read actively and analytically at the college level and should be able to synthesize and apply information across disciplines.

Information Literacy and Technology Skills

Information Literacy: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Technology Skills: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to use computers, software applications, databases, and other technologies to achieve a wide variety of academic, work-related, and personal goals.

Quantitative Literacy

Quantitative Literacy: Students who graduate from Surry Community College should be able to apply college-level mathematical concepts and methods to understand, analyze, and communicate in quantitative terms.

*Richard Paul and Michael Scriven, "Defining Critical Thinking," National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking. Available from http://www.criticalthinking.org