The Liberal Arts program offers a variety of courses that prepare students to transfer into the junior year at four-year colleges and universities in such fields as English, history, humanities, journalism, world languages, pre-law, literature, psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, philosophy, and education. Liberal Arts can be a valuable, flexible path allowing students to explore many subject areas before choosing a more specific discipline upon transfer.
The Liberal Arts program is fundamentally cross-disciplinary; this broad perspective provides students with a strong foundation in humanities, social science, natural science, and mathematics. Using a variety of cross-disciplinary approaches, students work together to explore what we share and how we differ, developing the skills needed for engaged, responsible, global citizenship.
An associate degree in Liberal Arts is most effective as a step toward transfer and further academic work. Students enrolled in the Liberal Arts program who intend to transfer to four-year colleges or universities are strongly advised to discuss their general education electives with a faculty advisor.
Almost all baccalaureate institutions prefer coursework for a student’s major field to be completed at that institution. Therefore, it is better for students to fulfill the general education requirements that make up the core of Liberal Arts at Mercer, working with faculty advisors to select courses with an eye toward full transferability. All students should determine the requirements of the transfer institutions they would like to attend and consult with Transfer Services about available articulation agreements and transfer options.
Liberal Arts majors have transferred to Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Temple University, and many other institutions.
The program may be pursued part-time or full-time and may be completed by daytime or evening attendance, or fully online.
SEE ALSO:
Liberal Arts: Global Studies degree program
The course sequence below represents a recommended example of how this degree program can be completed in two years, presuming a Fall Term start and satisfaction of all Developmental Studies (foundation courses) requirements and prerequisites. Actual approaches toward completion depend on each student's anticipated transfer institution, career objectives, or other individual circumstances.
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with an academic advisor or Success Coach to consider options, establish plans, and monitor progress.
Code | Course (lecture/lab hours) | Credits |
To Do This Semester
|
---|---|---|---|
FIRST SEMESTER | |||
CSW 100 | College Success and Personal Wellness (2/0)
|
2 |
✔ Meet with your faculty advisor to complete an academic plan. Make sure you are aware of any course prerequisites you may need to take, and how long it will take to complete your degree. ✔ Use your online tools: Check your MercerMail daily, utilize features of Office 365, and get to know Student Planning. ✔ Take advantage of Learning Centers or Online Tutoring to support your studies and assignments. |
ENG 101 | English Composition I (3/0) | 3 | |
LAS 101 | Introduction to Liberal Arts Studies (1/0)
|
1 or 0 | |
MAT 125 | Elementary Statistics I (3/0) | 3 | |
HIS — | Historical Perspective general education elective
|
3 | |
— — | Social Science general education elective
|
3 | |
SECOND SEMESTER | |||
CMN 111 | Speech: Human Communication (3/0) |
✔ Transitioning to college can be challenging. Meet with your Success Coach for guidance and support. ✔ Apply for financial aid by May 1. ✔ Contact professors with questions and use their office hours to develop a connection. ✔ Apply for Continuing Student scholarships at www.mccc.edu/m-scholarships. ✔ Begin attending college transfer events and visit campuses. Be sure to visit the Transfer Services and Career Services offices to get to know how the transfer process works and to explore career options. ✔ Plan for how you will complete transfer applications while finishing your classes. |
|
OR | 3 | ||
CMN 112 | Public Speaking (3/0) | ||
ENG 102 | English Composition II (3/0) | 3 | |
HIS — | Historical Perspective general education elective | 3 | |
MAT — | Mathematics elective
|
3 | |
— — | Social Science general education elective
|
3 | |
THIRD SEMESTER | |||
ENG — | Literature elective
|
3 |
✔ Keep in contact with each professor and your faculty advisor. Make sure you are on track to graduate. ✔ Complete your applications to desired transfer institutions. ✔ Develop team and leadership skills by getting involved in activities and clubs. ✔ Manage your stress! Take advantage of the MCCC pool, Fitness Center, free yoga and Zumba. Reach out for counseling or other support if you need it. Your Success Coach can connect you with resources. |
— — | Lab Science elective
|
3 | |
— — | Social Science elective
|
3 | |
— — | World Language elective
|
3 | |
— — | Diversity and Global Perspective general education elective | 3 | |
FOURTH SEMESTER | |||
LAS 201 | Liberal Arts Special Topics (1/0)
|
0 or 1 |
✔ Apply for financial aid by May 1. ✔ Talk to your faculty advisor and the Transfer office for advice on how to successfully transition to a new school. ✔ Apply for Graduating Student scholarships at www.mccc.edu/m-scholarships. |
PHI — | Philosophy elective
|
3 | |
— — | Science OR Technology elective
|
3 | |
— — | Social Science or Humanities elective
|
3 | |
— — | World Language elective
|
3 | |
— — | Program elective
|
3 | |
60 |