Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities

  • Three students sit in front of a green screen reading scripts.
  • "you will find poetry nowhere unless you bring some of it with you."
  • students sitting at bell tower in a group
  • 2 female students
  • President Sullivan at poetry reading, many students sitting in the audience

"One of the first things I was told was how well my work was written. I feel this is a compliment to the structure and style of the courses I took as an undergrad at Alfred State."

Patrick Doodian, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities Alumni
Program Advantages

Alfred State College | Dr. Aniko Constantine Video

Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities

Build a strong foundation in reading, writing, critical thinking, and the arts.

If you’re planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, the Associate in Arts (AA) in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities is an ideal first step. This flexible, transfer-friendly humanities degree prepares you for upper-division study in a wide range of academic and professional fields.

Whether you have a clear goal or are still exploring your interests, this associate degree in humanities offers the freedom to discover your path. With this strong foundation, you’ll be able to gain direct entry into a bachelor’s degree program as a third-year student.

The Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication and Emergent Media (TCEM) builds on the humanities associate degree to offer hands-on, career-focused education in writing, media, and technology. This in-demand technical communication degree prepares students to craft, manage, and deliver specialized information to a wide range of audiences across industries.

Program Highlights

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities program helps students:

  • Strengthen skills in reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking
  • Explore philosophy, literature, history, and the fine arts
  • Develop an appreciation for culture, creativity, and the ideas that have shaped the world
  • Prepare for transfer into a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs

This program also supports undecided students by offering broad exposure to humanities disciplines, helping you find the field that inspires you.

Why Choose a Humanities Associate Degree?

Colleges, universities, and even large corporations are placing renewed value on the soft skills developed through a liberal arts education—skills like creativity, communication, empathy, and adaptability.

With an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue further education and lifelong learning, while gaining a deeper understanding of the world and your place in it.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

With your humanities degree, you will be able to:

  • Create written communication appropriate for audience and purpose and which meets standards of style, clarity and grammatical correctness as described in the Writing Rubric. (W)
  • Create oral communication appropriate for audience and purpose and which meets standards of presentation as described in the Effective Speaking Rubric. (O)
  • Develop and recognize well-reasoned arguments in both written and oral formats as described in the Critical Thinking Rubric. (CT)
  • Locate and evaluate scholarly articles and other research materials and synthesize these materials in research-based prose. (IL, TC)
  • Analyze individual and collective values and ethical positions in contemporary and historical contexts.
  • Evaluate issues of justice and power in context of changing societies.

One Degree—Many Career Paths

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities associate degree is more than just a stepping stone—it's a launchpad for your future. Gain versatile skills, explore your passions, and prepare for whatever comes next.

With a humanities degree, you can pursue careers in:

  • Teaching
  • Technical Writing and Editing
  • Publishing and Journalism
  • Museum and Library fields
  • Non-profit and Government roles
Pioneer Quotes

qr code to department page
English & Humanities
Department

“In law school, my writing was complimented by professors, deans, lawyers, and judges. I attribute this positive feedback to the communication skills I learned in Alfred State's liberal arts classes, the fruits of which are still ripening.” -Patrick Doodian, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities Alumni

Pioneer Partners

Ergo Literary Magazine

cover of fall 2018 ergo magazine, water scene
Cover of fall 2018
Ergo magazine
cover of spring 2019 ergo magazine, purple flowers scene
Cover of spring 2019
Ergo magazine

Tor Echo Student Newspaper

cover of fall 2019 tor echo student newspaper
Cover of fall 2019
Tor Echo student newspaper
cover of spring 2019 tor echo student newspaper
Cover of spring 2019
Tor Echo student newspaper

Contact
Travis Matteson
607-587-3465
Professional Outlook

Our program can help you to transfer into bachelor degree programs with majors such as English and communication. The average starting salary for English majors in 2022 was $60,000. People with majors in communication work across multiple fields and can make as much as $112,000 in certain industries. These degrees can help get you a job as a technical writer ($72,270), public relations specialist ($69,780), editor ($75,260), and Library Media Specialists ($64,320).

Bureau of Labor & Statistics