The Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies in Liberal Studies emphasis offers a broad interdisciplinary curriculum designed for both general and area of emphasis students who are interested in pursuing an associate degree and/or to transfer to a university to further study in Teaching.
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree requirements are fulfilled by completing 60 degree-applicable units including the Moorpark College general education requirements and 18 units in the Liberal Studies area of emphasis. To ensure depth as well as breadth in the major, students must choose a minimum of 6 units from the same discipline within the 18 units in the emphasis.
The program goals align with the college’s mission: empowers learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to achieve their certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree, and transfer and career education goals.

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.

The courses that fulfill the Liberal Studies area of emphasis will examine 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.

To obtain an AA in General Studies with an area of emphasis in Liberal Arts, students must: 

1. Area of Emphasis - Complete the coursework from the Liberal Arts area of emphasis listed below, including:

• A minimum of 18 units with a grade of “C” or better (or a “P”) in each of the courses selected within the chosen area. 
• At least 6 of the 18 units required for the area of emphasis must be completed within a single discipline.

2.  General Education (GE) - Complete either Option A or B

     A) General Studies Pattern 2 - Select and complete courses from the general education pattern of a transfer institution to include, at a minimum, the following Title 5 requirements (21 units):

• Area 1A English Composition - one course (3 units)
• Area 1B Oral Communication and Critical Thinking - one course (3 units)
• Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning - one course (3 units)
• Area 3 Arts and Humanities - one course (3 units)
• Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences - one course (3 units),
• Area 5 Natural Sciences - one course (3 units)
• Area 6 Ethnic Studies - one course (3 units)

     B) General Studies Pattern 3 - Complete the Cal-GETC pattern. Students who complete Cal-GETC need to apply for GE certification in the Counseling Office and may also be able to apply for a Certificate of Achievement.

3. Units - Satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units of degree-applicable college coursework (General Studies Patterns 2 and 3 degrees require all 60 units to be CSU transferable units).

4. GPA - Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in degree-applicable college credit coursework.

5. Residency - Complete a minimum of 12 semester units within the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD).  

Liberal Arts 

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• demonstrate efficient oral and written academic work knowledge of teaching preparation for K-12 teaching credential programs.
• demonstrate the preparation to pursue further study in a related major at the baccalaureate level.
• demonstrate the proficiency in the research, analytical, and communication skills necessary to present a critical analysis.