MISSION
The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts aspires to create a community of inspired learners by offering challenging courses designed to cultivate scholarly inquiry, social responsibility and academic integrity. Liberal Arts faculty create a rigorous academic environment, characterized by mutual respect and collegiality, in which students are encouraged to discover their true potential and purpose.
The goal of the Liberal Arts program is to engage students in study across multiple disciplines with the goal of cultivating a broad knowledge base and strong skill set that prepares students for the workforce or continued study towards a bachelor’s degree. Through study in the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and sciences, students learn to think critically, communicate in multiple mediums, conduct research, solve complex problems, demonstrate ethical reasoning and system thinking, and grow as globally responsible citizens.
The AA in Liberal Arts-Science Concentration provides students with opportunities to explore the sciences along with other academic fields that are inherently integrated with science. Students who are interested in transferring to BA/BS programs in biology or health science will be advised to take the traditional sequence of science and math courses complimented by study in the gamut of other liberal arts courses. Students who are interested in science but unsure of the specific sub-discipline in which they might want to work or pursue further study will work with an advisor to choose courses that allow them to explore their interests in the sciences as well as other areas in the liberal arts.
TRANSFER
Many students enter into the Liberal Arts Degree Program with the intent of transferring on to a four year college or university. For these individuals, an advisor will work closely to design the program that best meets each student’s goals. Requirements of the four-year college will guide some of the course selections made by the student. Future plans and personal areas of interest will also contribute to each student’s program design.
If students are transferring to a four-year program focusing on Biology or Chemistry fields:
Lab Science Electives: students are advised to take BIOL101R (bio1), BIOL102R (bio2), CHEM140R (chem 1), and CHEM141R (chem 2) for their first 4 lab science electives and either BIOL205R (micro)/BIOL201R (A&P1)/BIOL202R (A&P2) for their 5th lab science course. Any additional lab science courses could be taken using the two "open elective" course requirements.
Mathematics Electives: students are advised to take either MATH110R (functions and modeling 1), MATH120R (functions and modeling 2), MATH210R (calc1), MATH 211R (calc2) or MATH106R (stats1) for their three math elective courses, depending on what field they want to study after transferring to a four year degree program. Any additional math courses could be taken using the two "open elective" course requirements.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the Liberal Arts program, students will be able to:
- Synthesize and apply knowledge from multiple perspectives to evaluate social, ethical, cultural and global issues
- Assimilate a variety of intellectual and practical skills to solve sophisticated problems
- Communicate complex ideas and concepts both orally and in writing across multiple disciplines
- Address real-world problems by exercising mental agility, analytical and creative thinking and interpersonal negotiation
- Develop a foundation sufficient for transfer to a four year college or university
REQUIREMENTS
The minimum requirements for the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree are as follows:
- College Composition: 3-4 credits
- English Elective: 3-4 credits
- Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language: 9 credits
- Mathematics: 6-8 credits
- Natural or Physical Sciences: 7-8 credits
- Social Sciences: 9 credits
- Liberal Arts Electives 12-15 credits
- Open Electives 9 credits
NOTE: If you have transferred in 3-credit classes, you may need to take an additional course in order to satisfy the 60-credit degree minimum. Please consult with your advisor.