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Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The Liberal Studies Program offers every Maine citizen access to two years of high quality college education in the best liberal arts tradition. The program endeavors to provide a foundation in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. With 21 credit hours in free electives, this associate degree affords the student great flexibility in shaping his/her educational experience toward a specific goal or simply the opportunity to discover where one's academic strengths and interests may lie.  Graduates of the program will have:

  • effective verbal and written communication skills
  • the ability to think critically and problem solve
  • a foundation in humanities, social sciences, math, and natural sciences
  • technological and computer skills appropriate to entry-level positions and/or baccalaureate degree work
  • adequate preparation for entry into a bachelor of arts program at the junior level
  • the skills necessary for basic research and life-long learning
  • an awareness of global and multicultural concerns

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

  • high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • minimum English language competency permitting registration in ENG005 and REA008 or higher

ADVISING:

All students are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration. An advisor's signature or electronic equivalent is required for registration. Students are encouraged to continue to meet with their advisors on a regular basis to help ensure a productive and meaningful college experience. Students at a distance may be able to do their advising sessions over the telephone or at a University of Maine System center.

TRANSFER:

For those who graduate and wish to continue their college education toward a baccalaureate degree, liberal studies courses are transferable to appropriate baccalaureate programs, and students who successfully gain admission to such programs normally enter as juniors.

DEVELOPMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Courses required by placement testing (ENG005, ENG010, REA008, REA010, MAT009) should be completed in the first 15 credit hours of study. They must be completed within the first 27 credit hours of study.

DEGREE:

Students must complete a minimum of 61 credit hours of study with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for the associate of arts in liberal studies degree.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

  1. ENGLISH & COMMUNICATIONS: ENG101* and 102W and COM101, 102, 104, or 106
  2. COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: COL100 (to be taken within the first 15 hours)
  3. HISTORY: HTY1XX
  4. HUMANITIES: 9 credit hours (from at least two different disciplines) selected from any art history course; ART211; DRA101, 265, 280; any literature course; any HTY; any humanities; INT129; MUS110, 113, 117, 120, 123, 124, 131, 160, 180, 223, 333, 334; any PHI; POS390; WST101W
  5. FINE ARTS: 3 credit hours selected from ARH105, 106; ART211; DRA101, 265, 280; INT129; MUS123, 160, 180
  6. MATHEMATICS: 3 credit hours (MAT100* or higher)
  7. NATURAL SCIENCE: 4 credit hours of a laboratory science
  8. SOCIAL SCIENCE: 6 credit hours which must include two different disciplines selected from ANT101, 102; ECO100, 201, 202; GEO101; POS101, 102; PSY100; SOC101, 201
  9. FREE ELECTIVES: 21 credit hours. The College recommends that students enroll in at least one creative studio/ performance arts course. This recommendation is made in the belief that students should have the broadest possible experience in their undergraduate studies
  10. WOMEN'S STUDIES CONCENTRATION:   18 credit hours from WST101w, 301w; one course from ENG185, ENG/WST350, HTY225, MUS180, PHI/WST336; one coure from ANT102, SOC120, SOC360, SSC110, SSC210, SSC314, SSC332; one course from BUA225, JUS245, 277, 222, 255, HUS233, HUS263; and one course from any of those listed above.

*ENG101 and MAT1XX are to be taken in the first semester (15 credit hours) unless placement testing indicates the need for developmental work.

Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR

First SemesterSecond Semester
CourseHoursCourseHours

ENG101 College Writing

3 COM101 Public Speaking*3
MUS123 Understanding Music3SOC101 Introduction to Sociology3
MAT1XX Mathematics3BIO110 Introduction to Biology4

HTY103 United States History I

3

HTY104 United States History II

3
COL100 Introduction to the College Experience3 XXXXXX Elective 3
TOTAL HOURS 15TOTAL HOURS16

*Preferred course

SECOND YEAR

Third SemesterFourth Semester
CourseHoursCourseHours

ENG102W Introduction to Literature (required)(required)

3 ENG350W Major Women Writers3
DRA280 Introduction to Films3

XXXXXX Electives

12

POS101 American Government

3
XXXXXX Electives6
TOTAL HOURS15TOTAL HOURS15

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