Liberal Arts & Sciences—Liberal Studies Degree (LAS)

This program is for those who do not require the specific courses of the Liberal Arts option but would like a strong educational background to transfer to a four—year institution or immediately enter professional employment by carefully selecting electives, students may choose to major in virtually any academic discipline such as biology, English, history, or physical science. Students are encouraged to discuss majoring in any specific area of study with their academic adviser. LAS students can transfer to many four-year colleges or universities start as a junior.

Campus/format: This program can be completed online or during the day or evening at the Gardner Campus.

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Helpful hints: Students are encouraged to discuss majoring in any specific area of study with their academic adviser. Eligible LAS students should consider entering MWCC’s Honors Program. Honors Program students benefit from a challenging, highly individualized academic experience, a tuition waiver during their final semester, active recruitment by four-year colleges and universities, and the use of the Honors Center. Also, because of the program’s Commonwealth Honors Program status, all MWCC Honors courses are transferable as Honors courses within the Mass public higher education system, and MWCC graduates are guaranteed acceptance into the Honors Programs of these colleges and universities. See page 122 of the college catalog for more information.

Transfer options: This program fulfills all requirements for the Commonwealth Transfer Compact (see pages 45-46). Joint Admissions agreements exist with state colleges and universities including: Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield, Worcester State, Mass College of Liberal Arts, and UMASS Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. Articulation agreements exist with Cambridge College, Charter Oak State College, Framingham State College (with an online option in social sciences and humanities), and the University of Phoenix. A partnership exists with Amherst College. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu

The Liberal Studies curricula closely parallel the general education curricula of the first two years required by most four-year colleges and universities.

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

*Note: PER130 is recommended for transfer

Elective courses by abbreviation

top of page

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from these programs, students shall have the ability to:

1. Demonstrate competence in written and oral communication in English.
2. Demonstrate competence in problem solving, scientific modes of inquiry, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking.
3. Demonstrate competence in understanding historic and social processes.
4. Demonstrate competence in the use of modern technology to access, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate competence in assessment of aesthetic and ethical standards in a diverse local and global environment.
6. Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management, and lifelong learning.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.