Arts and Sciences Transfer Programs

Liberal arts transfer programs are designed for students:

• who intend to go on to four-year colleges and universities,
• who seek personal enrichment,
• who want to supplement their vocational courses, or
• who are undecided about their careers and want to explore options.

Unlike specialized studies, the liberal arts transfer courses and disciplines at Spokane Community College allow students to choose among many career directions. The courses seek to develop a broad base of knowledge and incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving skills which students can apply throughout their lives. Students take courses in the following disciplines:

• communication,
• the humanities,
• mathematics,
• natural sciences,
• social sciences, and
• health/physical education.

The two-year programs culminate in an associate of arts (A.A.) degree and help students develop communication skills and an understanding of others.

Transferability

The Spokane Community College curricula apply toward general education requirements for public four-year institutions in the state. Students who carefully plan and complete a liberal arts college transfer program and earn an A.A. degree may transfer to public four-year colleges or universities in the state with junior standing and will have met all or most of the institution's general university requirements. In addition, many of the state's private institutions recognize the two-year associate degree as well.

Many years of data show that students transferring from Spokane Community College do as well or better at the four-year colleges and universities as those who start there as freshmen.

Learning Communities/Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary studies offer an exciting and dynamic approach to earning required college credits or a unique opportunity for personal enrichment. In each of the interdisciplinary models, students and faculty focus their time on a central issue or theme. Using seminars, small group discussions, and traditional lecture methods, these learning communities enable a team of faculty and students to study important issues and ideas for an entire quarter. Instead of registering for a series of unrelated classes, students enroll in a single 10- or 15-credit program that makes connections among the disciplines involved. Although courses are listed individually on transcripts, these programs are generally conducted as one integrated course.

Running Start

The Running Start program offered at Spokane Community College enables eligible high school students who seek expanded educational challenges to enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes-or solely in college classes-for the purpose of earning credit to be awarded both by the high school district and by the college. Classes taken as part of the Running Start program are limited to "college-level" classes.

Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Review Courses

The Arts and Sciences Division at Spokane Community College offers courses that can help you polish your skills in reading, writing, and mathematics for greater success in college-level classes as well as on the job. Reading courses are offered for those who want to improve their skills as well as for those who are average to better readers. Writing courses will help students sharpen their basic composition skills as well as review the elements of writing. Mathematics courses are offered for students with very little background in mathematics as well as for those who need a review of basic fundamentals, arithmetic and pre-algebra, or introductory algebra fundamentals.