Academic Catalog

English, Associate in Arts

Program Description 

The Associate of Liberal Arts (AA) with an option in English provides the first two years of foundational courses that allow students to transfer into a baccalaureate program in English, which prepares them for careers in education, business, law, or publishing.

Transfer Information

Students pursuing the Liberal Arts-Option in English can transfer into majors such as English, Literature, Creative Writing, and Language Arts-Teacher’s Certification. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.

Career Information

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree in English. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to education, technical/grant/copy writing, and editing as well as prepare students for graduate programs in law, library science, and so on. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. Students can also utilize Career Coach, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers https://ocean.emsicc.com

Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.

Program Requirements 

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
Communications
ENGL 151 English I 3
ENGL 152 English II 3
COMM 154 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
History
History Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
History Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Humanities
ENGL 260 The Shakespeare Plays I 3
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Social Science Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
Diversity
ENGL 255 World Literature Ancient through 1600 or ENGL 256 World Literature 1600 to Present 3
Math-Science-Tech
Mathematics, Lab Science, Technology Gen. Ed. Requirement 1 12
Program Requirements
Any STSC - Student Success Seminar course 2 2
ENGL 142 The History and Grammar of English 3
ENGL 211 Introduction to Poetry, ENGL 212 Introduction to Drama, ENGL 257 The Short Story, or ENGL 258 The Short Novel 3
ENGL 251 American Literature Through the Civil War or ENGL 252 American Literature Post Civil War 3
ENGL 153 Creative Writing or any 200 Level ENGL course 3
Elective
Elective to meet 60 credits 1
 Credit Hours60
 Total Credit Hours60
1

 Students must select one math course, one lab science course, and one technology course and complete the 12 cr. requirement with any additional math or science course from the list of Approved General Education Courses. Students may attempt to “test out” of the technology requirement.  If they succeed, they must take an additional course(s) in math or science from the List of Approved General Education Courses. 

 
 
2

A variety of STSC -Student Success Seminar courses are available. Please speak to your academic advisor for assistance when selecting.