Academic Programs and Services

Liberal Arts - General Option

The Liberal Arts degree program is for liberal arts students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs or professional schools after study at Community College of Philadelphia; for students seeking a non-specialized associate’s degree; for students planning to enter certain select programs at a later date; and for students undecided about their long-term educational goals. Students are expected to consult with an academic advisor or counselor upon entry to the program and in subsequent semesters. Transfer planning should begin early so that the student can gain the most benefit from the curriculum. Students who follow the Liberal Arts curriculum and plan to attend a specific four-year college after graduation should choose elective courses that duplicate as closely as possible those in the first two years of the program of that college.

Compared to the other designated options, the General Option is the most flexible model, leaving the most choices open to students. It therefore makes students and advisors responsible for shaping the selection of courses to meet individual goals.

Note: Many, but not all, transfer institutions require some knowledge of a foreign language (from one semester to two years of study at the college level or the equivalent). Some accept American Sign Language and some allow non-native speakers of English to count proficiency in their primary language, or to count English as their language. Students planning to transfer should be aware of foreign language requirements which may affect their acceptance into certain colleges and programs.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in both oral and written communication through a variety of means such as essays, research papers, presentations and class discussions.
• Demonstrate an informed understanding of cultural diversity, both in the United States and internationally.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically about ideas and concepts in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics.

Program Entry Requirements:
Students are typically required to take the College’s placement tests at their time of entry. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as a part of their degree program.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Liberal Arts, a student must complete a minimum of 61 credit hours as prescribed and attain a grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average).

Students with particular academic interests or plans to major in a certain subject after transfer should consider one of the more specialized options available within the Liberal Arts curriculum.

Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.