A student flipping through a notebook during class

Liberal Arts with an Area of Emphasis 

Taft College Offers Eight Associate Degree Programs within Liberal Arts with an Area of Emphasis.

The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts degree with an Area of Emphasis is intended for students not planning to transfer to a four-year university. This degree is designed to prepare students for life in the global community by developing a core of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for personal and professional success.  

These courses allow students to gain a basic knowledge of the cultural and social organizations in which they exist, as well as the behavior and social organizations of other human societies. Students will develop an understanding of the perspectives and methods of the social and behavioral sciences.

If you plan to continue your education, you are encouraged to choose a transfer degree (AA-Transfer) rather than this general degree.  A transfer degree is useful in limiting the number of units that you are required to take at your transfer institution, and ensuring that courses that you take at Taft College are accepted at your next institution.

Earnings Potential

An associate degree in liberal arts offers you the salary potential of $19,764 two years after graduation from Taft College, with expected increases to $29,974 at five years, based on five-year studies of graduates by California Community Colleges. These do not reflect salaries with a four-year degree.1

1 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Salary Surfer. 2021. https://salarysurfer.cccco.edu. Accessed 19 April 2023.

For More Information