Program Details

Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

Virginia Western Community College

The Liberal Arts program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college following their studies at Virginia Western. This degree prepares students for numerous fields of study and career choices. Earning a Liberal Arts degree will demonstrate a student's ability to think critically, communicate well, problem solve and understand his/her multicultural environment.

Program Credit Requirements

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Transfer Degree

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Is This Degree Right For Me?	Are you interested in transferring to a four-year school and earning a bachelor's degree? Is graduate school in your plan? A liberal arts degree at VWCC prepares you for numerous fields of study and career choices. Earning a liberal arts degree will demonstrate your ability to think critically, communicate well, problem solve and understand our multicultural environment. Employers universally seek these skills in potential employees and will prepare you to work in numerous fields such as human resources, public relations, advertising and marketing, journalism, and education.
What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses	Students who have completed at least two years of a high school foreign language with at least a â€œBâ€? average may take the intermediate level foreign language sequence in the first year. Students who complete the intermediate language sequence in the first year are required to take 8 credits from the following elective list in year two: Humanities/Fine Arts ELE Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Western Community College within your first year via College Connect
Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses?	This program can be completed online. Students who intend to transfer should verify specific program requirements with their four-year institution.
Do More With Your Degree	Students that graduate from Virginia Western with an associate degree and a minimum grade point average may obtain GUARANTEED admission to more than 30 of the commonwealth's colleges and universities. Please see this list for copies of the current agreements. Virginia Western also has its own agreements with several colleges and universities that can be found on our Transfer Agreements page. Students who intend to transfer should verify specific program requirements with their four-year institution.
Program Successes & Highlights	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/ie/research/student-goals/

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	To discuss how your previous degree can be incorporated into your new long term goals, please meet with an advisor.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	Yes
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Western Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

519

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Virginia Western Community College's service region includes the cities of Roanoke and Salem, along with Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. Virginia Western was the first college established in the VCCS, in 1966, and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of more than 9,000 students in credit courses and more than 1,400 enrollments in fast-track career training and continuing education courses.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year is determined by their first semester of attendance in the major.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://www.virginiawestern.edu/transfer/transfer-agreements/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year
Eastern Shore Community College	General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Eastern Shore Community College	Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Germanna Community College	Liberal Arts Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Germanna Community College	General Studies Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	General Studies, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences in Arts and Sciences	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences in Psychology/Social Work	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts: International Studies Specialization, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Specialization	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Political Science Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - Teacher Preparation Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts/Music	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts/Theatre Performance	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts: Communication Studies Specialization, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts: Art History Specialization, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Human Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services - Pre Social Work Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Human Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
New River Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Human Services	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Rappahannock Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies-Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice (Forensic Science)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Wytheville Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice - Corrections Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice - Police Science	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Germanna Community College	General Studies - Specialization in Administration of Justice Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Administration of Justice, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Criminology and Criminal Justice, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Teacher Preparation Specialization	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science/Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Science/Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Science/Math Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Teacher Education Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations
25-1062.00	Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3041.00	Sociologists	Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-2031.00	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-4061.00	Social Science Research Assistants	Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3091.00	Anthropologists and Archeologists	Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1061.00	Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3093.00	Historians	Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1125.00	History Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-1067.00	Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-1126.00	Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9151.00	Social and Community Service Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.	Management Occupations
25-1065.00	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3094.00	Political Scientists	Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
39-7011.00	Tour Guides and Escorts	Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.	Personal Care and Service Occupations
25-1069.00	Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3099.00	Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3099.01	Transportation Planners	Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1199.00	Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
21-1099.00	Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	All community and social service specialists not listed separately.	Community and Social Service Occupations
43-4061.00	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
11-9121.01	Clinical Research Coordinators	Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.	Management Occupations
25-1022.00	Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
15-2021.00	Mathematicians	Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.	Computer and Mathematical Occupations
11-9121.00	Natural Sciences Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.	Management Occupations
11-9121.02	Water Resource Specialists	Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.	Management Occupations
19-3092.00	Geographers	Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1064.00	Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
17-3031.00	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.	Architecture and Engineering Occupations
19-3051.00	Urban and Regional Planners	Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1063.00	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3011.00	Economists	Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3011.01	Environmental Economists	Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3022.00	Survey Researchers	Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-1011.00	Chief Executives	Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.	Management Occupations
11-1011.03	Chief Sustainability Officers	Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.	Management Occupations
19-3039.03	Clinical Neuropsychologists	Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1111.00	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-1021.00	General and Operations Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.	Management Occupations
11-1031.00	Legislators	Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.	Management Occupations
19-4099.00	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3039.02	Neuropsychologists	Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9131.00	Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and support services of a U.S. post office; or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in assigned post office.	Management Occupations
19-3039.00	Psychologists, All Other	All psychologists not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.01	Quality Control Analysts	Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4099.03	Remote Sensing Technicians	Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-3071.04	Supply Chain Managers	Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.	Management Occupations
11-3071.00	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.	Management Occupations