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Program Details
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Associate of Arts
Northern Virginia Community College
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Program Details
Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A.
Associate of ArtsLiberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A.
Northern Virginia Community College
This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a college or university for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in English, Creative Writing or Writing and/or Rhetoric as an entry-level professional writer.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Transfer Degree
Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Satisfactory completion of high school units or equivalent: 4 units of English, 2 units of Mathematics (Algebra and Geometry), 2 units of Laboratory Science, 1 unit of History, and 3 to 4 units of World Languages. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Liberal Arts: English Specialization, A.A.
60
Liberal Arts / English
60
6484 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 202425
60
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 45 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
English Requirements
18
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 200 level Literature
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
English Elective
6
Math Requirements
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
May substitute any higherlevel mathematics course. See transfer requirements. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 262 and MTH 264
MTH 154 or Higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 245 or higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
CST 100, CST 126, or CST 229Â may be substituted.
CST 229
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HIS Requirement
3
HIS elective
3
World Language Requirements
12
World Language
12
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
101, 102, 201, 202 language level required Languages available: Arabic, Chinese, French, Germany, Japan, Russian, Spanish
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Requirement
6
Social/Behavioral Science Elective
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Requirements
8
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab Elective
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement
4
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Elective should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution. This elective is not required if World Languages total more than 15 credits.
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category list:
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
General Education Elective
3
General Education Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Glass) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Art Degree in Liberal Arts Major in Art | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts - Major in Theatre | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - Major in Music | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate in Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Art in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Art in Liberal Arts-Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts-Visual Communication Design Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1013.00 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1199.00 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | All postsecondary teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
13-2022.00 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
25-4011.00 | Archivists | Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1012.00 | Craft Artists | Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-4012.00 | Curators | Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-4013.00 | Museum Technicians and Conservators | Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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