The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts degree is designed for students who wish for a broad knowledge of liberal arts and science plus additional coursework in a chosen Area of Emphasis. The Area of Emphasis is designed to prepare students for life in a global community with core knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for personal and professional success. To earn this degree, students must meet the following requirements: 1. Choose option A or B or C for the General Education pattern related to your educational goal: A. Associate in Arts/Associate in Science General Education; or B. California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-B); or C. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) 2. Completion of a minimum of 18 units in one of the five Areas of Emphasis with a grade of C (or P) or higher: A. ARTS & HUMANITIES B. COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA C. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES D. SCIENCE AND MATH E. CULTURAL AND GLOBAL STUDIES 3. For all options, completion of the necessary West Valley College Graduation and Proficiency requirements. 4. Completion of 60 degree-applicable units with an overall 2.0 GPA. 5. Courses can be counted toward completion of General Education requirements. Areas of Emphasis I. ARTS & HUMANITIES: The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Arts and Humanities provides students the opportunity to study the cultural, literary, humanistic activities and artistic expression of human beings. Students evaluate and interpret the ways that people through the ages in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them through artistic and cultural creations. Students also learn to value aesthetic understandings and incorporate critical concepts when constructing value judgments. II. COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA: The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Communications and Media provides students the opportunity to learn the myriad of ways that we deliver information (verbally and visually), and to provide an understanding of the psychological basis, social significance and impact of communication and media in our society. III. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences provides students an opportunity to develop a broad perspective on concepts, theories, and methodologies typically found in the variety of disciplines that comprise the study of the social and behavioral sciences. Students study about themselves and others as members of a larger society in order to gain a basic knowledge of the cultural and social organizations in which they exist as well as the behavioral and social organizations of other human societies. IV. SCIENCE AND MATH: The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Science and Math provides students an opportunity to develop knowledge of scientific theories, concepts and data about both living and non-living systems. The courses in this area also emphasize the natural sciences which examine the physical universe, its life forms and its natural phenomena. In addition, these courses emphasize experimental methodology, testing hypotheses, and the power of systematic questioning. Courses in math emphasize the development of mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills beyond the level of elementary algebra. V. CULTURAL AND GLOBAL STUDIES: The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Cultural and Global Studies provides students an opportunity to learn how we function effectively and live harmoniously as a pluralistic society in an increasingly global environment. The focus of this area is to foster a sense of inquiry about cultural differences and similarities. With inquiry as a focus, the courses endeavor to acknowledge the experience, scholarship, and accomplishments of the many cultures in our society and in the world.

I. Arts and Humanities (18 units)

II. Communications and Media (18 units)

III. Social and Behavioral Sciences (18 units)

IV. Science and Math (18 units)

V. Cultural and Global Studies (18 units)

Total Major Units: 18 units

To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:

1. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
2. Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
3. Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.