For the student in search of a broad education rather than for training in a particular occupation, the Liberal Arts Department offers a rewarding degree program. A liberal Arts degree prepares students for many kinds of careers because the coursework gives them skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed to succeed. The program consists of two years of studies in the different branches of Social Science, Humanities and Fine Arts. After graduating with this degree, a student is better prepared to enter the work force or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program for further studies.
The Associates of Arts in Liberal Studies is the foundation for many college majors and for the Bachelor’s degree. The value of a liberal arts education is multi-faceted. It signals to employers that, as a degree holder, you have advanced skills in communication, critical thinking, group dynamics and awareness and an appreciation of other cultures, which all are vital to success in today’s workplace. You will learn how to think, collaborate, create, problem solve, communicate and lead. You will become more marketable. You will be more adaptable.
We believe that a good education empowers people and that empowered individuals promote positive social change. We want our students to acquire academic skills along with increased self-awareness. The department offers a variety of courses designed to spark imagination, creativity, and curiosity. The Liberal Arts Department is also strongly committed to integrating divergent viewpoints into all classes. Liberal Arts majors graduate with a better understanding of themselves, their community, and their place in the world
The Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies is designed to enable a student to transfer to a four-year college/university, this degree emphasizes student completion of 42-46 hours of general education, 12 hours in an area of concentration, and 4-8 hours of electives. Students interested in the Liberal Studies degree may choose to pursue one of three paths:
- The Path for Interdisciplinary Opportunities –These are students who passionately wish to seek accomplishment in more than one field at the same time, with the ideal that such diversity is mutually sustaining.
- The Path of Focused Competencies – Many of our students develop strong interests in a particular field within Liberal Studies.
- The Path for Self Seekers – Some of our students utilize the Liberal Studies major to develop a stronger sense of themselves in order to develop their further interests as they self discover.
Associates of Arts in Liberal Studies
Program Length: 65 credit hours
Accepted Transfer Credits: 45 Credit hours
Programs Goals and Objectives
Students who successfully complete a program in the Department of Liberal Studies will be able to:
- Human Relationship Skills: The application of values, collaboration skills, standards, and ethical judgment required for personal and professional interaction.
- Communication Skills: The ability to express ideas and share knowledge in a clear, focused, and organized manner.
- Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in a logical and coherent manner.
- Global Perspectives: The ability to examine a concept in contexts and from perspectives other than one’s own.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The application of computational methods and numerical data interpretation to solve problems.
- Scientific Processes: The application of scientific methods to gain knowledge and examine the laws, theories, and processes of physical and biological phenomena.
- Technical Skills: The theoretical and applied knowledge for career entry and continued professional development.
- Investigative Skills: The application of strategies, resources, and attitudes to find solutions and gain knowledge.