Program Overview
Northampton Community College's Liberal Arts program provides a solid foundation in general education and a chosen concentration, preparing students for a bachelor's degree. It emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, equipping graduates for diverse careers in fields like communications, management, and the arts. The program offers flexibility, allowing students to explore various options and tailor their education to their interests.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview
The Liberal Arts program at Northampton Community College provides a solid foundation in general education and a selected field of concentration for students planning to pursue a bachelor's degree. The program has been carefully crafted to align with the requirements of the first two years of BA programs at many of the institutions to which Northampton students typically transfer. The College has also established transfer agreements, including dual admissions agreements, with numerous regional colleges and universities.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Liberal Arts program, students will:
- Understand the historical and cultural contexts of contemporary civilization.
- Evaluate and discuss diverse points of view.
- Communicate ideas effectively.
- Speak and understand a modern language other than English.
- Retrieve, evaluate, and apply information from a range of sources.
- Develop strategies for solving both abstract and practical problems.
Program Description
The Liberal Arts program offers flexibility and customization, allowing students to explore different options and tailor their education to their interests and career aspirations. Students who are undecided about their future major can take elective courses in various departments, or they can choose to concentrate in English, History, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women's and Gender Studies in preparation for majoring in these disciplines at a transfer institution. Students are encouraged to declare their concentration in the first semester. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education, with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that are essential for success in a variety of careers.
Outline:
First Semester
- COLS101: College Success (1 credit)
- CMTH102: Introduction to Communication (3 credits)
- ENGL101: English I (3 credits)
- PSYC103: Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- History Elective (3 credits)
- Math Elective (3/4 credits)
Second Semester
- ENGL151L: English II (3 credits)
- Science Elective (3/4 credits)
- Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits) or Ethics & Moral Problems (3 credits)
- Arts Elective (3 credits)
- Social Sciences Elective (3 credits)
Third Semester
- Modern Language (3 credits)
- Math or Science Elective (3/4 credits)
- Literature Elective (3 credits)
- Electives (3 credits)
Fourth Semester
- Modern Language (3 credits)
- Directed Elective (3 credits)
Careers:
The Liberal Arts program at Northampton Community College prepares students for a wide range of careers in fields such as communications, management, public relations, marketing, and the arts. The program's emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills makes graduates highly employable at various levels in a diverse array of career choices. Some specific career paths that graduates of the Liberal Arts program may pursue include:
- Communications specialist
- Marketing manager
- Public relations specialist
- Event planner
- Non-profit administrator
- Teacher
- Librarian
- Social worker
- Counselor
- Journalist
- Writer
