This Pattern provides an opportunity to earn an Associate in Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Liberal Studies. This degree covers a broad area of study and is intended for students who may plan to transfer to a four-year university to continue their education in teaching. 

The courses that fulfill the Liberal Studies area of emphasis will examine a diverse array of academic disciplines providing a breadth of knowledge necessary to prepare students in the subject matter required for a multiple subject teaching credential in elementary or special education. In addition, the coursework is designed to enable students to: explore how knowledge across multiple disciplines is interrelated; think critically and creatively; write and speak clearly, coherently, and thoughtfully; read, understand, and evaluate all forms of text; evaluate the positive value and essential role of diversity, and formulate their own goals for continued learning and inquiry-based on a foundation of intellectual curiosity.

To obtain an Associate in Arts General Studies degree with an area of emphasis in Liberal Studies, students must:

1. Select and complete courses from the general education of a transfer institution to include, at a minimum, the following Title 5 requirements:

• Natural Sciences (3 units)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 units)
• Arts and Humanities (3 units)
• Language and Rationality – English Composition (3 units)
• Communication/Analytical Thinking (3 units)
• Three additional units from any of the above areas

2. Complete local graduation requirements to include:

• Health Education (one course/no unit minimum): CD M23; HED M01, M03, M05, M07; NS M35; NTS M01, M07

• Physical Education/Kinesiology (one course/no unit minimum): CJ M09A, M09B; Any ICA/KIN activity course (except KIN M01, M13, M13L, M16, M17, M18, M20, M21, M22, M25, M26) or any Dance activity course (except DANC M24, M26, M31, M53, M56)

• Ethnic/Gender Studies: (a minimum of 3 units) ANTH M02, M07, M09, M13; ARTH M130; CD M05; COMM M12, M13; DANC M31; ENGL M30A, M30B; ETHS M01, M10, M40; FTMA M108; GEOG M02, M03, M03H; HIST M131, M133, M135, M137, M137H, M141, M145, M164; PSY M14; SOC M140, M150.

3. Complete a minimum of 18 units in the Natural Sciences or Mathematics area of emphasis listed below (6 of the 18 units must be within a single discipline) with a grade of "C" or a "P" if the course is taken on a "pass- no pass" basis (Title 5 § 55063). Even though a "pass-no pass" is allowed, it is recommended that students complete all their major coursework for a letter grade (A, B, or C). NOTE: Universities have limitations on the number of units that can be taken "pass-no pass" and therefore it is strongly recommended that students take all major coursework for a letter grade (A, B, or C).

• Select courses that fulfill major preparation requirements for the chosen transfer institution. CSU and UC articulation can be found at www.assist.org. If no articulation exists with the intended transfer institution, you may obtain guidance from recruitment counselors, the transfer institution’s departmental advisors in your major, and their catalog and website.

4. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable units.

5. Complete competency requirements in Mathematics and English. NOTE: Courses used to fulfill the CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC requirements in Mathematics and Written Communication or English Composition will fulfill this requirement.

6. Complete the college’s other graduation requirements in competency (mathematics and English), scholarship, and residency

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• 1. Communication Competency
  a. Attend to and clearly express ideas in written, spoken, numerical, and artistic forms.
  b. Communicate effectively and logically.
  
• 2. Information Competency
  a. Evaluate multiple sources of information to apply it critically and appropriately
  b. Gather, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information.
  
• 3. Quantitative Competence
  a. Implement quantitative and qualitative models to make predictions, draw conclusions, and make decisions that are logical and feasible.
  b. Collect, organize, analyze, and process research data in a clear, synthesized format.
  
• 4. Analytic Inquiry Skills
  a. Distinguish the modes of inquiry and critique used in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences and the humanities.
  b. Explain the connections among the various disciplines.
  
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  5. Ethical Reasoning
  a. Apply ethical principles to personal, academic, professional and/or community issues.
  b. Work ethically and effectively with others.
  
• 6. Ability to Engage Diverse Perspectives
  a. Recognize the multitude of diversities in the physical and human environments and how these diversities impact the individual and society.
  b. Recognize the diversity of human experience, the role of the natural environment, and the relationship between the two.
  c. Describe and appreciate the role of culture and the arts in society and in one’s personal life.
  
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  7. Ability to Create
  a. Act purposefully in combining awareness, critical thinking, and communication skills with personal responsibility in order to originate, innovate, or build upon ideas.
  
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  8. Growth Orientation
  a. Apply the skills necessary for successful living in an ever-changing and global environment.
  b. Identify and adopt the concepts of personal health and fitness to enhance the quality of life.