Program Details
Program Details
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Associate of Arts
Northern Virginia Community College
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Program Details
Liberal Arts: English Major, A.A.
Associate of ArtsLiberal Arts: English Major, A.A.
Northern Virginia Community College
Purpose: This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a college or university for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in English, Creative Writing or Writing and/or Rhetoric as an entry-level professional writer.
Program Overview & Guidance

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 |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Satisfactory completion of high school units or equivalent: 4 units of English, 2 units of Mathematics (Algebra and Geometry), 2 units of Laboratory Science, 1 unit of History, and 3 to 4 units of World Languages. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Liberal Arts: English Major, A.A.
60
Liberal Arts / English
60
648-03 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 2025-26
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
English Requirements
15
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 200 level Literature
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
English literature elective: ENG 225,ENG 230, ENG 236, ENG 237, ENG 245, ENG 246, ENG 250, ENG 255, ENG 256, ENG 257, ENG 258, ENG 271, ENG 275 and ENG 279.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
English Elective
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students who are interested in Literature: ENG 225,ENG 230, ENG 236, ENG 237, ENG 245, ENG 246, ENG 250, ENG 255, ENG 256, ENG 257, ENG 258, ENG 271, ENG 275 and ENG 279.
Creative Writing: select ENG 211.
Writing and Rhetoric: select ENG 210.
Linguistics: select ENG 200 or ASL 220.
Math Requirements
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
May substitute any higherlevel mathematics course. See transfer requirements. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 262 and MTH 264
MTH 154 or Higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 245 or higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
CST 100, CST 126, or CST 229Â may be substituted.
CST 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HIS Requirement
3
HIS elective
3
World Language Requirements
12
World Language
12
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
101, 102, 201, 202 language level required Languages available: Arabic, Chinese, French, Germany, Japan, Russian, Spanish
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Requirement
6
Social/Behavioral Science Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Social/Behavioral Science Elective
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
This elective is not needed if selections for all other requirements total 60 credits or more.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Requirements
8
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Elective
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Elective should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution. This elective is not required if World Languages total more than 15 credits.
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category list:
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
EDU Requirement
3
EDU 200
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category list:
OR
Complete courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
21-1014.00 | Mental Health Counselors | Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
21-1011.00 | Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors | Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
Cost To Complete
