Hawaii Community Colleges
Liberal Arts Programs
Liberal-arts transfer programs at community colleges in this state. English, history, philosophy, and the social sciences for university transfer.
6 colleges · 2453 sections · 298 unique courses · Fall 2026
The liberal-arts associate at Hawaii community colleges is the most common transfer degree in the UHCC system. It's designed as a complete 2-year general-education foundation — English composition, history, math, lab science, social science, fine arts — that articulates to any four-year university in the state. Students complete two years at community-college tuition rates and arrive at the bachelor's program as juniors with sophomore standing in their declared major.
This term's 2453 sections across 6 UHCC colleges fill those general-education buckets. The right college often comes down to schedule (online availability, evening sections) and proximity rather than program differences — the curriculum is intentionally similar across institutions to keep the transfer guarantee working. Compare colleges below by section count and transfer agreements.
Colleges offering Liberal Arts
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College | 795 | 298 | 380 | — | — |
| Kauai Community College | 795 | 298 | 380 | — | — |
| Leeward Community College | 795 | 298 | 380 | — | — |
| Kapiolani Community College | 37 | 12 | 20 | — | — |
| Hawaii Community College | 22 | 11 | 4 | — | — |
| Windward Community College | 9 | 5 | 3 | — | — |
Liberal Arts Availability Snapshot
How liberal arts sections are being offered across 6 colleges in Hawaii this term (2453 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person1286 (52%)
- online1167 (48%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)917
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)683
- Evening (5 PM and after)45
- Asynchronous / TBA808
Start dates
Sections begin on 7 distinct dates. 39 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 235 distinct instructors across 6 colleges.
Common Liberal Arts courses
- ENG 1005S-Composition I(159 sections)
- ENG 1000Composition I(147 sections)
- ENG 1007Composition I(147 sections)
- ENG 1004Composition I(84 sections)
- ENG 1008Composition I(78 sections)
- ENG 1003Composition I(76 sections)
- ENG 1023College Reading Skills(58 sections)
- ENG 1006Composition I(54 sections)
- ENG 2002Composition II(36 sections)
- HIST 1510World History to 1500(36 sections)
- ENG 227Introduction to Composition(30 sections)
- HIST 1513World History to 1500(28 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- What is a liberal-arts degree good for?
- Almost exclusively transfer. The liberal-arts AA isn't a career-track degree on its own; it's the first two years of a bachelor's, packaged so you can complete it at much lower tuition before moving to a four-year school. The major you eventually declare at the four-year (English, history, sociology, psychology, business, etc.) determines your career path.
- Will all my liberal-arts credits transfer to a Hawaii four-year university?
- If you complete the full associate of arts at a UHCC college, yes — under Hawaii's statewide articulation agreement, the entire degree transfers as a block to any public four-year, giving you junior standing. Where students lose credits is by taking random courses outside the structured AA pathway. Talk to your transfer advisor early.
- Can I save money by doing my first two years at community college?
- Yes, often substantially. Hawaii community college tuition is typically less than half what a state university charges, and the credits transfer 1:1 if you stick to the structured AA. Two years of saved tuition often translates to $20–40k less debt at graduation.
- How long does the liberal-arts associate take?
- Two years full-time (60 credits). Many students complete it in three or more years on a part-time schedule — community colleges build their evening, weekend, and online sections around working students.
Compare Liberal Arts programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Hawaii’s liberal arts programs stack up.
Other programs in Hawaii
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.