The Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts provides a solid, wide range education that can be used as a foundation for a bachelor’s degree program. Courses required for the Liberal Arts degree cover many areas of study in Arts, English, Health and Fitness, History, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social and Behavioral Science, Samoan and the Pacific, and Technology.
Advising Sheets
Note: Advising sheets subject to change. Seek Assistance from your Academic Advisor prior to registration.
- 2022-2024 Advising Sheet
- 2020-2022 Advising Sheet
- 2016-2018 Advising Sheet
- 2014-2016 Advising Sheet
- 2012-2014 Revised Advising Sheet
- 2012-2014 Advising Sheet
Program Learning Outcomes
- Arts: Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the visual, and performing arts (music, art, drama).
- Computer Science: Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize technological tools and procedures for personal, academic, and career tasks for entry level employment.
- English:
- Demonstrate active listening and speaking abilities;
- Demonstrate proficiencies in clear and effective written communication;
- Demonstrate improvement in reading skills focused on comprehending analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating printed texts.
- Humanities: Enrich and expand knowledge of the human conditions and cultures in relation to behavior, ideas, and thoughts through the study in the disciplines of literature, philosophy and the arts.
- History:
- Demonstrate an understanding of historical events from the context of American or Global history
- Demonstrate an understanding of the regional and Global historical patterns, such as the development of peoples social, political, and economic institutions
- Mathematics: Demonstrate critical thinking and logical reasoning while developing problem solving skills in the various branches of Mathematics.
- Physical Education & Health: Demonstrate a basic understanding of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Samoan and the Pacific Studies: Demonstrate critical thinking and the understanding of cultural diversity in the Samoa and Pacific regions.
- Science: Demonstrate foundational competencies in physical and life science through lectures and laboratory activities.
- Social Science: Demonstrate an understanding of historical processes, cultural developments, and interrelationships, reflected in social, economic, and political progress.
- Develop career goals and plans, and apply lifelong learning skills for personal and professional growth.
Degree Requirements
The Associate of Arts (AA) Degree provides development and understanding in the content and methodology of the major genres of study, awareness of the traditional cultural aspects of Samoa and the Pacific region, and preparation for students continuing their studies at a four-year college or university.
A minimum of sixty credits is required for an Associate of Arts Degree. The general education requirements for all Associate of Arts Degree programs are comprised of the following courses, numbered 150 or higher:
General Education Requirements
Class | Description | Credits |
Communication | ||
ENG 150 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
ENG 151 | Freshman Compostion | 3 |
SPH 153 | Introduction to Speech | 3 |
Total: | 9 | |
Information & Technology Literacy | ||
ICT 150 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
Critical Thinking | ||
MAT 151 | Intermediate Algebra | 3 |
PHSCI 150/150L | Physical Science | 4 |
Total: | 7 | |
Global Awareness & Cultural Competence | ||
Select one 3 credit course from the following options and HIS 162 for a total of six (6) credits | ||
HIS 150 | American History I | 3 |
HIS 151 | American History II | 3 |
HIS 170 | World Civilization I | 3 |
HIS 171 | World Civilization II | 3 |
HIS 162 | Pacific History (required) |
3 |
Total: | 6 | |
Personal Development & Responsibility | ||
PSY 150 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
OR | ||
HEA 150 | Introduction to Health Science | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
Total GER Credits: | 28 |
Program Requirements
Class | Description | Credits |
Selection is based on Career Development Option | ||
ART 150 | Art History Survey I | 3 |
CLP 150 | College and Life Planning | 3 |
CJ 150 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
ED 150 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
HSV 150 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 |
MUS 150 | Music Fundamentals | 3 |
POL 160 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
SAM 152 | Introduction to Samoan Culture | 3 |
Total Career Development Credits: | 3 |
Elective Credit
Class | Description | Credits |
Any course with alpha numbering at 150 or above with the exception of: SAM 101A, SAM 101B, MSL 101, MSL 102 | 3 | |
Total Elective Credits: | 3 |
Total Credits
Class | Credits |
General Education Requirements | 28 |
Core Foundational Requirements | 27-29 |
Program Requirements | 3 |
Elective Credits | 3 |
Total Credits: | 61-63 |
Note: No Courses can be repeated from General Education or Core Foundational Requirements to fulfill requirements elsewhere.
Core Foundational Requirements
Class | Description | Credits |
Arts | ||
Select one 3 credit course | ||
ART 150 | Art History Survey I | 3 |
ART 160 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
DRA 150 | Introduction to Drama | 3 |
DRA 151 | Drama Workshop | 3 |
MUS 150 | Music Fundamentals | 3 |
MUS 160 | Music Literatures | 3 |
MUS 165 | Music of the World | 3 |
MUS 170* | Concert Choir | 1 |
MUS 180* | Band | 1 |
* Course can be taken repeatedly to earn 3 credits | ||
Total: | 3 | |
Humanities | ||
SPH 153 | Introduction to Speech | 3 |
PHIL 150 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
REL 150 | World Religions | 3 |
ENG 250 | Survey of Literature | 3 |
LIT 270 | World Literature | 3 |
LIT 272 | American Literature | 3 |
LIT 274 | Pacific Literature | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
English | ||
ENG 251 | Sophomore Composition | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
History | ||
Selection is based on Global Awareness & Cultural Competence | ||
HIS 150 | American History I | 3 |
HIS 151 | American History II | 3 |
HIS 170 | World Civilization I | 3 |
HIS 171 | World Civilization II | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
Mathematics | ||
MAT 250 | College Algebra & Trigonometry | 4 |
MAT 280 | Calculus I | 5 |
Total: | 4-5 | |
Physical Education | ||
Select any 1 credit P.E. Course | 1 | |
Total: | 1 | |
Samoan & Pacific Studies | ||
Select one 3 or 4 credit course | ||
Cluster I: Samoan and the Pacific History and Geography | ||
GEO 150 | Intro to Samoan Geography | 3 |
GEO 161 | Pacific Geography | 3 |
HIS 160 | Samoan History I | 3 |
HIS 161 | Samoan History II | 3 |
SAM 152 | Intro to Samoan Culture | 3 |
Cluster II: Samoan Language | ||
SAM 101A | Conversational Samoan 1 | 3 |
SAM 101B | Conversational Samoan 2 | 3 |
SAM 111 | Introduction to the Samoan Language | 3 |
SAM 151/151L | Freshman Samoan | 4 |
SAM 154 | Introduction to Samoan Literature | 3 |
Total: | 3-4 | |
Science | ||
Select one 4 credit course | ||
BIO 150/150L | Introduction to Biological Science | 4 |
BIO 155/155L | Ecology | 4 |
BIO 180/180L | Biology I | 4 |
MSC 170/170L | Introduction to Marine Biology | 4 |
Total: | 4 | |
Social Science | ||
Select one 3 credit course from one of the three Clusters | ||
Cluster-I: Cultural Courses | ||
ANT 150 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
ANT 153 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
ANT 154 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
GEO 160 | Introduction to Geography | 3 |
Cluster-II: Political Courses | ||
PAD 150 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
POL 150 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
POL 160 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
POL 170 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
Cluster-III: Social & Behavioral Courses | ||
PSY 150 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
PSY 250 | Human Development | 3 |
SOC 150 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Total: | 3 | |
Total Core Requirement Credits: | 27-29 |
Course Descriptions
- Languages & Literature Courses
- Fine Arts Courses
- Information Communication Technology Courses
- Mathematics Courses
- Science Courses
- Social Science Courses
- Health Courses
- College & Life Planning Courses
- Criminal Justice Courses
- Education Courses
- Samoan Language & Culture Courses
- ROTC Courses
- Physical Education Courses