Do you have a lot of interests but aren't yet sure what your major should be? Enroll in our Liberal Studies Associate degree program, which lets you to explore many subjects while still advancing your educational goals. As a Liberal Studies student, you receive a broad-based education that prepares you for many exciting opportunities, either in industry or with our partner institutions.
An ideal transfer degree, the Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies is the most popular degree program at Montco. After completing the Liberal Studies program, our students usually transfer to a four-year institution. Entering as juniors, they go on to finish their studies in a variety of majors. Be sure to speak with your advisor about transfer opportunities.
Program outcomes
- Demonstrate written and spoken communication skills;
- Use mathematical concepts to solve problems and make decisions;
- Demonstrate technology skills essential for working and living in today’s society;
- Demonstrate general knowledge across the broad categories of intellectual heritage, artistic expression, the natural and physical world, human behavior;
- Explain diverse perspectives, cultures and values;
- Use ethical perspectives to inform decisions.
Program Curriculum
General Education Requirements
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| Elective | Oral Communication Elective: choose from CMS 110, CMS 113, CMS 120, CMS 230 or THA 105 | 3 |
| Elective1 | Quantitative Reasoning Elective1 | 3 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency Elective | 3 |
| Elective2 | Social Sciences Elective: choose from ECO 121, ECO 122, ESW 207, GEO 110, GEO 130, POL 101, POL 124, PSY 101, PSY 137 or SOC 101 | 3 |
| HIS Elective - Western Civilization or U.S. History | HIS 101, HIS 102. HIS 203 or HIS 2053 | 3 |
| Elective | Physical or Life Sciences Elective4 | 4 |
| Elective | Aesthetic Sensibility Elective6 | 3 |
| Elective | Diversity Elective6 | 3 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives Elective6 | 3 |
Electives
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | Electives5 | 26 - 27 |
Full-time sample course schedule
Semester 1
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| Elective | Oral Communication Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Quantitative Reasoning Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Social Sciences Elective 2 | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| HIS Elective | Western Civilization or U.S. History 3 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective in the Physical or Life Sciences 4 | 4 |
| Elective | Open Elective 5 | 2-3 |
| Elective | Aesthetic Elective 6 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Cultural Awareness & Diversity Elective 6 | 3 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives Elective 6 | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Open Elective | 3 |
Part-time sample course schedule
Semester 1
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| Elective | Quantitative Reasoning Elective 1 | 3 |
| Elective | Technological Fluency Elective | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| Elective | Physical or Life Sciences Elective 2 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Oral Communication Elective | 3 |
| HIS Elective | History of Western Civilization or U.S. History Elective 3 | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Aesthetic Sensibility Elective 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Ethical Perspectives Elective 4 | 3 |
Semester 5
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Cultural Awareness & Diversity Elective 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Social Sciences Elective 5 | 3 |
Semester 6
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
Semester 7
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
Semester 8
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
| Elective | Elective 6 | 3 |
1 Students may not use the following courses to fulfill this requirement: MAT-100, MAT-103, MAT-104, MAT-108, or ACC-110.
2 Students must choose a four-credit lab science elective.
3 Students should consult with an advisor and transfer institution on the best choice for a HIS elective.
4 Students may not take a course here that has been used to meet any program requirement – no double dipping.
5 Choose one of the following courses: ECO-121, ECO-122, ESW-207, GEO-110, GEO-130, POL-101, POL-124, PSY-101, PSY-137, or SOC-101
6 The following courses are strongly recommended: SCS-101, REA-110, ECO-111, or any Foreign Language. Pre-Nursing applicants should take NUR-106 here.