Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bedford Campus and Lowell Campus

Program Description:

This concentration will prepare students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs in any one of a number of Social Science and related disciplines such as History, American Studies, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Education, Global Studies and International Business.

The program is interdisciplinary in nature and examines social, economic, environmental and political issues from both a current and historical perspective. The program challenges students to critically evaluate the commonalities and differences within various cultural and social frameworks, and looks at relationships between national and international systems that influence the world community.

Students will take at least one course in each major Social Science field and have the flexibility to take additional electives in one or more areas of interest. The program is designed both for those who have chosen a particular major in the Social Sciences and for those who are just exploring before transfer.

• View the Academic Map for this program

Career and Transfer Outlook:

The History, Political Science, & Global Studies Concentration Liberal Arts & Sciences is a well-rounded education program that provides students with great flexibility in their educational and career choices. Most students in the concentration will continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree program in History, Political Science, American Studies, Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Education, Global Studies, or International Business.

This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state colleges and the University of Massachusetts. The program is particularly well aligned with related programs at UMass Lowell.

Eventual career paths and employment positions can be found in business, government (federal, state and local), education, law, public service and organizations and international institutions involved with for-profit activities as well as civic and humanitarian operations & causes.

Helpful Hints:

• Students may begin the program in any semester and then cycle through until finished, although the sequence shown above is recommended. Eligibility for ENG 101 is a prerequisite for most courses and ENG 101 should be taken as soon as possible.
• Students with GPAs of 3.2 or above are encouraged to consider Honors seminars for their ECO/GOV/HST/SOC and Humanities Electives.
• Bachelor of Liberal Arts (B.L.A.) programs at UMass Lowell allow students to pursue two separate fields of study and do not require the specialization of a single major. They also do not require a research sequence or the study a foreign language.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs at UMass Lowell do require a four semester language sequence in any one world language. Since not all world languages offered at MCC are also offered at UMass Lowell, students who start a language sequence at MCC should plan ahead for how they will complete the sequence either at MCC or UMass Lowell.

Important

• The IDS Electives may be taken in any semester and three IDS courses may be grouped as one 3-credit course for transfer as a General Education Elective.

Any of the following IDS courses are recommended: IDS 102 Service Learning, IDS 103 Leadership, IDS 105 Interdisciplinary Weekend, or IDS 106 Career Exploration. (IDS 105 may be taken more than once since each one has a different theme.)

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the History, Politics, & Global Studies Program will acheive the learning outcomes of the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. Additionally, graduates are prepared to:

• Develop an awareness of and engagement with contemporary and historical issues and events in the social sciences beyond the scope and interests of their own region or country;
• Acquire a broad knowledge of history, economics, government, world cultures, and governmental and non-governmental organizations and international institutions;
• Demonstrate a disposition and capacity to think critically about social, cultural, environmental and political issues and trends from multiple perspectives within a historical and global context;
• Effectively articulate creative solutions for complex problems that face human society and civilization;
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in research and investigation in Social Science fields to a degree that will allow them to pursue their higher education and career goals;
• Apply Global Studies and Social Science values and perspectives to socially and civically responsible engagement with the college and wider community;
• Develop personally and professionally through the use of knowledge and skills gained in program coursework.