Looking for a well-rounded education, or are not sure yet what to major in? The Liberal Arts program offers a guided education in the humanities and fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and math, and also the opportunity to explore possible subjects to major in. It does all this, while preparing you to transfer to a bachelor's degree program.

Program Overview

What Will You Learn?

Associate in Arts

You will be able to Demonstrate the capacity to make well-reasoned ethical and aesthetic judgments by calling upon the discursive, expressive, and interpretive skills honed and developed in the humanities and fine arts. You will learn to apply the concepts and methods of mathematics to solve problems, and demonstrate quantitative reasoning in a variety of disciplines.

Cost

In-State Tuition: $223/credit

Out-of-State / International Tuition: $429/credit

Some programs have additional program fees

Timeline

4 Semesters

61-62 credits

I’ve actually met a lot of really great people here, including my best friends.

- Veronica, 2020 Graduate

Learn Online

This program may be completed 90% or more online.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Locations

  • This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
  • Some courses may be completed at QCC Southbridge.
  • This program may be completed face-to-face.

Have more questions?

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More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: LA).
  • Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in four semesters.
  • Attend Transfer Services events. For information see www.QCC.edu/transfer.
  • Complete ENG 101 and the Mathematics Elective.
Composition IENG 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Introduction to Psychology ORPSY 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Introductory Sociology (Principles)SOC 101
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Mathematics Elective---F/S/SU3 
Science Elective or Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU3-4 
  Total15-16 

Semester 2

  • Meet with Academic Advisor to review Elective choices and Liberal Arts Options.
  • Meet with a Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer. Attend Transfer Services events.
  • Complete ENG 102 and the Mathematics Elective.
Composition IIENG 102F/S/SU3ENG 101
Introduction to HumanitiesHUM 105F/S/SU3ENG 101
Mathematics Elective---F/S/SU3 
Social Science Foundational Elective---F/S/SU3 
U.S. or World History Survey Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total15 

Semester 3

  • Meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process.
  • Confirm that MassTransfer 34-credit general education transfer block can be completed.
Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU4 
Liberal Arts Elective---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Literature, Philosophy, or Language Elective---F/S/SU3 
Multiple Perspectives Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total16 

Semester 4

  • Continue with/complete the transfer application process.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Elective---F/S/SU3 
Creative Arts Elective---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
  Total15 
Total Credits Required:  61-62 

Program Goals:

The QCC Liberal Arts associate degree program includes the following program goals:

  • Provide a well-rounded foundational education in the liberal arts disciplines, defined as fine arts and humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences.
  • Foster and hone high-level communication and critical reasoning skills, vital for success in a bachelor’s degree program or professional career.
  • Provide the broad-based intercultural and interdisciplinary learning for flourishing in the globalized, knowledge-driven, and increasingly diverse society and economy of the 21st century.
  • Instill the life-long orientation to learning that a continuously-evolving global society will require for sustained success.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the capacity to make well-reasoned ethical and aesthetic judgments by calling upon the discursive, expressive, and interpretive skills honed and developed in the humanities and fine arts.
  • Apply the concepts and methods of mathematics to solve problems, and demonstrate quantitative reasoning in a variety of disciplines.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific process and basic scientific principles, and apply the scientific method to complex problems in the natural sciences.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the development, diversity, and complexity of human behavior in society and culture, and the methodologies used in the social and behavioral sciences.
  • Demonstrate high-level communication skills (verbal, written, graphic, and numerical) across the full span of the liberal arts disciplines.
  • Apply critical reasoning skills, drawing upon interdisciplinary approaches, to analyze and solve complex problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use interlibrary catalog/loan systems and electronic databases and to distinguish between reliable and non-reliable sources, whether print, cinematic, televisual, or web.
  • Demonstrate the multiple perspectives that derive from knowledge and awareness of cultures and cultural practices (one’s own and others’).

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks are not required. Fingerprinting and drug testing are not required.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 24.0101.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.