How did the world come to be what it is today?  History–the study of the past–helps us to answer this question. Learn about ancient civilizations, political and social revolutions, cultural and intellectual movements, scientific and technological advances, and even the history of Worcester. Along the way, we prepare you for a bachelor's degree program in history, or employment in which you can deploy the analytical and writing skills developed in our program.

Program Overview

What Will You Learn?

Associate in Arts

You will learn the major historical issues in U.S. and World history. You will also study more focused topics like United States Women's History, History of Native Americans in North America, African American History, and History of Puerto Rico.

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

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).
  • This program may be completed face-to-face.

Career Stats

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More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: LAHI).
  • 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
Creative Arts 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.
  • Meet with a Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer.
  • Complete ENG 102 and the Mathematics Elective.
Composition IIENG 102F/S/SU3ENG 101
World History I: Beginning to 1500HST 104F/S/SU3ENG 101
U.S. History: Beginnings to 1865HST 115F/S/SU3ENG 101
Introduction to HumanitiesHUM 105F/S/SU3ENG 101
Mathematics 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.
World History II: 1500 to World War IHST 105F/S/SU3ENG 101
U.S. History: 1865 to PresentHST 116F/S/SU3ENG 101
Lab Science Elective---F/S/SU4 
Literature, Philosophy, or Language Elective---F/S/SU3 
Social Science Foundational Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total16 

Semester 4

  • Consult with transfer institution regarding selection of Liberal Arts Electives.
  • Continue with/complete the transfer application process.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
History Elective---F/S/SU3 
History Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Liberal Arts Elective (200-level)---F/S/SU3 
Multiple Perspectives Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total15 
Total Credits Required:  61-62 

Program Goals:

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

  • Provide a foundational education in history, enabling transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in history.
  • Provide a well-rounded foundational education in the liberal arts disciplines, defined as fine arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social and behavioral 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:

  • Utilize the broad-based liberal arts curriculum in the fine arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences to develop a historical perspective on the world.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of significant periods, events, and ideas in the past that have shaped different cultures and civilizations.
  • Analyze primary sources in their historical context.
  • Evaluate secondary sources through an understanding of how historians ask questions and interpret the past.
  • Write articulately and persuasively on historical issues.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the development, diversity, and complexity of human behavior in society and culture, and the methodologies to do so in the social and behavioral sciences.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to make well-reasoned ethical and aesthetic judgments, by calling upon the discursive, expressive, and interpretative 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 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 54.0101.

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.