Associate in Liberal Arts Degree
Purpose
The Associate in Liberal Arts degree provides a broad background of knowledge rather than a course of study narrowly focused on preparation for a specific field of employment or profession. This degree develops reasoning, judgment, and expression abilities that are desirable no matter what you do in life. When you have earned the ALA degree, you may transfer to a baccalaureate institution within the state of Washington with assurance that you have satisfied all or most of the basic requirements (General University Requirements). This means, generally, that the ALA transfer student can begin work on their specialized, major course work as soon as they transfer.Degree Requirements
To qualify for this degree you must complete a minimum of 93 credits in courses numbered 100 or above, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 ("B" average).The 93 credits must include the following:
| Basic Skills | 15 credits | |
| Communication Skills | 10 credits | |
| ENGL& 101 | ||
| ENGL 102 | ||
| Quantitative Skills* | 5 credits |
*Any math course numbered 131 or higher.
| Foreign Languages | 15 credits |
Fifteen (15) credits in one foreign language, five (5) of which count toward Humanities Distribution.
| Health and Fitness | 3 credits |
Three (3) credits from the list of courses approved for Health and Fitness distribution.
| Humanities | 20 credits |
A minimum of twenty (20) credits in humanities, including one course from at least thee of these subjects: Art, Drama, Literature, Lyceum, Music, Philosophy. No more than five (5) credits from performance/skill courses. Five (5) credits of Foreign Language count toward Humanities. Select courses from the distribution list.
| Natural Science | 20 credits |
At least twenty (20) credits in Math/Science, including at least ten (10) credits in laboratory science or one course each from at least three of the following subjects: Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Oceanography, Philosophy, Physics, Zoology.
| Social Science | 20 credits |
At least twenty (20) credits in social sciences, including one course from at least three of these subjects: Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, History, Economics, Political Science.
| Diversity | 3-5 credits |
A 3-5 credit course listed as a Diversity (D) course. Diversity courses carrying another distribution designation can be counted toward both distribution requirements.