The Associate of Arts in general studies degree gives students a flexible, well-rounded foundation that includes a diverse and broad understanding of fundamental subjects. In addition to completing core liberal arts courses, students choose two 12-hour themed bundles of coursework from the following disciplines: business, leadership, psychology, healthcare, criminal justice, ministry, and general studies. Graduates with this degree can seamlessly transition to one of Trevecca’s degree-completion programs or any four-year degree program.

The Associate in Arts Liberal Arts: Cross-Cultural Studies degree program is designed for students who wish for a broad knowledge of liberal arts and sciences with an area of emphasis in Cross-Cultural Studies. This program is an ideal choice for students planning on transferring to the California State University or the University of California as the student can satisfy their general education requirements, plus focus on transferable course work that relates to majors at CSU or UC.

The Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities Associate in Arts degree program is designed for students who wish for a broad knowledge of liberal arts and sciences with an area of emphasis in Arts and Humanities. This program is an ideal choice for students planning on transferring to the California State University or the University of California as the student can satisfy their general education requirements, plus focus on transferable course work that relates to majors at CSU or UC.

TCC’s Interdisciplinary Writing Studies Specialization of the Associate of Arts (DTA) degree provides well-rounded academic preparation, real-world writing experience, and work-related skills for transfer to a wide variety of four-year college or university programs and for entry into the workforce. This specialization is also a great choice for students who know they want to transfer but haven’t yet decided exactly what they want to do with their lives. It is especially beneficial to students planning to transfer to the University of Washington Tacoma, due to UWT’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies.

By completing the Liberal Arts and Sciences—Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate in Arts degree, students will be exposed to a wide range of coursework to achieve an understanding of human behavior and human interaction in the social and physical environment. Students will survey, analyze and interpret concepts, theories, and methodologies to cultivate an understanding of human beings and the societies and cultures they create. Common majors within the Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis include but are not limited to, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography (Cultural), Global Studies, History, International Relations, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, and Sociology.

By completing the Liberal Arts and Sciences—Emphasis in Arts and Humanities degree, students will be exposed to an interdisciplinary pattern of coursework essential to the understanding of the contemporary world, its people, and its cultures. Students will survey, analyze and interpret key philosophical, historical, literary, aesthetic, and cultural works produced throughout human history to better understand social and historical life, as well as human existence, human meaning, and human creativity. Students will also practice forms of creative, intellectual, and cultural expression. Common majors within the Arts and Humanities Emphasis include but are not limited to, English, Ethnic Studies, Film Studies, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, History, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, and Theatre Arts.

The Liberal Arts curriculum provides the core liberal arts component of most bachelor’s degree programs and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges or universities. The interdisciplinary curriculum is well-suited for students who are either undecided about their major or who are seeking a broad, general education before narrowing the focus of their course of study. After completing this program, students will be well-positioned to pursue any number of different Bachelor of Arts programs at four-year institutions. Since the curriculum requirements of other institutions vary, students should meet with a transfer advisor at DCCC to obtain information concerning entrance requirements for the specific school and program in which they are interested in.

The Liberal Studies: Emphasis in Education Degree prepares students to transfer to a Liberal Studies—Teacher Education bachelor’s degree program. The degree is intended to provide students with options to select appropriate coursework to meet lower-division requirements of the Liberal Studies program of the four-year institution they are planning to attend. Articulation agreements for most Liberal Studies—Teacher Education programs offered at the University of California and the California State University systems are available on the ASSIST website.

The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Arts and Humanities provides students the opportunity to cultivate intellect, imagination, sensibility, and sensitivity. Students will respond subjectively and objectively to aesthetic experiences and will understand the integrity of both emotional and intellectual responses. Students will also refine their affective, cognitive, and physical faculties through studying great works of the human imagination. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in the arts and humanities areas and offer students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused on single discipline degrees and applied to an interdisciplinary degree.

An emphasis on Fine Arts provides the student with an understanding of the practices and theories of traditional and contemporary two- and three-dimensional studio arts and an introduction to the history of Western art.

The AA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Arts and Humanities provides students with a broad perspective on the culture and artistic expression of human beings and societies. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for and understanding of values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society, specifically as these relate to how different cultures through the ages have responded to themselves and the world around them through the production of creative forms of expression. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in the liberal arts.

By completing the Liberal Arts and Sciences—Emphasis in Science and Mathematics Degree, students will be exposed to a wide range of coursework to achieve a foundational understanding of mathematics and the natural sciences. Students will survey, analyze and interpret concepts, theories, and methodologies as they relate to the natural sciences and mathematics and how this knowledge has shaped the course of human development over the ages. Additionally, students will develop critical thinking skills, mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills, and research methodology. Common university majors with the Science and Mathematics Emphasis include but are not limited to, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Geography (Physical), Geological Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics.

The Associate of Arts General Studies is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire basic principles and skills in the general education area while pursuing specific interests. It prepares students to enter into the Bachelor of Science General Studies degree or to transfer to another bachelor’s program.

The Associate of Arts program in General Studies degree involves a curriculum of basic first- and second-year courses which fulfil the general education requirements of most four-year institutions.

The purpose of the Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies is to prepare students for entry-level positions in business, industry and non-profit organizations depending on the concentrations selected.