About the Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in General Studies Patterns 2 and 3

Pattern 2 is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university in high-unit majors or when completion of the Cal-GETC Pattern is not appropriate or advisable. (See www.assist.org or a college counselor for guidance.) Independent or out-of-state universities may also fall in this category.

Pattern 3 is intended for students who are planning to transfer to a California public four-year university (UC or CSU) and wish to use the Cal-GETC fulfill their lower-division general education (GE) requirement. 

Areas of Emphasis for Patterns 2 and 3

At the time of catalog publication, a student may earn the following General Studies AA Pattern 2 and 3, with an Area of Emphasis at Moorpark College

Arts and Humanities

The Arts and Humanities area of emphasis examines the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings. The courses are designed to develop students’ awareness of how people throughout the ages and in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation and to develop students’ aesthetic understanding and ability to make value judgments. This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, English, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy, Photography, and Theatre Arts.

This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, English, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy, Photography, and Theatre Arts.

Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies area of emphasis examines a diverse array of academic disciplines providing a breadth of knowledge necessary to prepare students in the subject matter required for a multiple subject teaching credential in elementary or special education. In addition, the coursework is designed to enable students to: explore how knowledge across multiple disciplines is interrelated; think critically and creatively; write and speak clearly, coherently, and thoughtfully; read, understand, and evaluate all forms of text; evaluate the positive value and essential role of diversity, and formulate their own goals for continued learning and inquiry-based on a foundation of intellectual curiosity.

 Natural Sciences or Mathematics

The Natural Sciences or Mathematics area of emphasis examines the physical universe, its life forms and the measurement of natural phenomena. The courses are designed to develop students’ appreciation and understanding of the scientific method along with mathematical evaluation, and to encourage an understanding of the relationships between science/mathematics and other human activities.

This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower division major preparation requirements for areas including but not limited to Allied Health, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geological Sciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, Pre-Medicine, and Radiology Technology.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis examines people as members of society. The courses are designed to develop students' awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences; to stimulate critical thinking about the ways people respond to their societies, and to promote appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate. 

This emphasis enables the student to take courses that will satisfy lower-division major preparation requirements for areas within the fields of Anthropology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.