Southwestern's arts and sciences program is designed to prepare students for successful transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Students must complete general education requirements customary to most college disciplines. Most programs leading to a degree have a common core of courses a student may complete before declaring a major. Students in the arts and sciences program earn the Associate of Arts (AA) degree or the Associate of Science (AS) degree. Courses may be taken at the Creston campus, the Osceola Center, the Red Oak Center, or online.
Associate of Arts Degree
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree readies students for their junior year at the college/university level. This degree totals 64 credits of general education from the following areas–communication, humanities, math, science, social sciences, and electives. Students in this program are sometimes referred to as transfer or liberal arts students. As an Associate of Arts Degree student, your chosen major could include business, early childhood education, elementary education, English, history, psychology, secondary education, sociology, etc.
Associate of Science Degree
Students interested in transferring for certain science- or math-related majors may benefit from earning the Associate of Science degree. This degree totals 64 credits of general education from the following academic areas–communication, humanities/social sciences, math, science, and electives–with an emphasis in math or science. As an Associate of Science student, your chosen major could include biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, pre-dentistry, pre-engineering, pre-med, pre-physical therapy, pre-vet, etc.
Transfer Majors:
Southwestern Community College students work with their advisors to plan their college transfers. The list below includes two-year guides for the college's transfer majors. If the student's chosen major is not on this list, the student is advised to talk to an admissions representative or visit his/her academic advisor for course planning. Additional Transfer Planning information is available, including articulation agreements that show how classes will transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
- Agriculture Business*
- Agriculture Education*
- Agronomy*
- Animal Science*
- Biology*
- Business*
- Chemistry*
- Criminal Justice*
- Early Childhood Education (Teacher Licensure)
- Elementary Education*
- English*
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- History*
- Physics*
- Psychology*
- Secondary Education*
- Sociology*
* Transfer majors are designed for students pursuing Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees transferring to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, or the University of Iowa. Requirements may vary at other institutions so students should become familiar with the specific course requirements of the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer. For more information, please refer to the transfer planning guide on the college's website at www.swcciowa.edu/academics/transfer-planning. Students are also encouraged to consult with the admissions department or their academic advisors.
Arts and Sciences Program Outcomes
Communications Outcomes
- Synthesize a variety of sources in order to produce logical conclusions.
- Articulate arguments through audience-appropriate oral presentation and writing.
Humanities Outcomes
- Articulate how systems of power or cultural groups affect both local and global communities.
- Analyze cultural artifacts to identify relationships among ideas, texts, artistic works and their cultural and historical contexts.
- Identify relevant terms and concepts in humanities disciplines.
Social Sciences Outcomes
- Analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources to evaluate their usefulness in regard to the social sciences.
- Apply knowledge of major concepts, models, and issues in the social sciences.
Math Outcomes
- Interpret and communicate mathematical knowledge and understanding within the context of the problem.
- Independently apply technology tools to graph, analyze, and solve functions.
- Apply the methods of mathematical, statistical, or analytical reasoning to critically evaluate data, solve problems, and effectively communicate findings.
Science Outcomes
- Utilize science-based, problem-solving skills to evaluate and communicate potential solutions to current issues.
- Apply the scientific methods to gain knowledge and examine the laws, theories and processes of physical and biological phenomenon.