Apr 21, 2026  
2025-2026 DCC Catalog 
  
2025-2026 DCC Catalog

Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences (LAH), A.A.


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HEGIS: 5649

Overview

The program is designed mostly for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a baccalaureate degree. It provides the flexibility to explore many different fields of study as well as the space to delve deeper into a potential major of interest. Students transfer into a wide array of majors including traditional ones such as English, history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, economics, political science, and international relations, as well as ones focused on specific areas like creative writing, media studies, women’s studies, American studies, interdisciplinary studies, and many more.

A degree in the liberal arts will equip students with an awareness of multiple and diverse perspectives, analytical tools to understand problems and create solutions, and communication skills to articulate those solutions. These communication and thinking skills transfer across hundreds of careers and industries. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 93 percent of employers say that a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than a candidate’s undergraduate major.

Dutchess Community College transfers students to a variety of four-year public and private colleges and universities, and formal and informal transfer agreements are in place. Students are urged to consult their advisors, faculty, and the ACT Center early in their career at Dutchess.

Students with strong academic backgrounds may select a sequence of Honors courses to fulfill the A.A. degree requirements in part. Interested students should contact the ACT Center for further information and advisement.

Requirements


For requirements, see Program Map.

  1. Humanities courses: Students must select at least one course from the General Education Categories of World Languages (recommended) or The Arts. In addition, students must choose courses from at least two of the following fields: Art, Dance, English, Film, French, German, Italian, Music, Philosophy, Spanish, Speech, and Theater. Students may not use ENG 102  to satisfy the Humanities requirement.
  2. Mathematics courses: Students must meet the math course prerequisites.
  3. English courses: Any 200-level course.
  4. Social Science courses: Students must select courses from at least two of the following fields: Anthropology, Behavioral Sciences, Economics, Geography, Government, History, Psychology, or Sociology. BHS 103  may not be used to satisfy the Social Science requirement.
  5. Elective courses: Elective courses applicable in this program are (a) from content areas listed on this page OR (b) courses listed on the Courses Applicable in Designated Programs page. Courses in the General Education Categories U.S. History & Civic Engagement, World History & Global Awareness, and The Arts are recommended.
  6. Read a full discussion of the free elective .

Program Map


First Semester


Credit Hours: 17


Second Semester


Credit Hours: 16


Third & Fourth Semester


  • English Courses Credits: 6 (c)
  • World History & Global Awareness Course  Credits: 3 (GE Category)
  • Humanities Credits: 3 (a)
  • Social Sciences Courses Credits: 9 (d)
  • Electives Credits: 6-7 (e)
  • Free Elective Credits: 3-4 (f)

Credit Hours: 30-32


Minimum Total Credits: 63


Contact Information


Program Coordinator:
Karen Riedl
karin.riedl@sunydutchess.edu

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