Minnesota 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.
27 colleges · 1452 sections · 319 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
The liberal-arts associate at Minnesota community colleges is the most common transfer degree in the Minnesota State 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 1452 sections across 27 Minnesota State 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
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Liberal Arts is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Liberal Arts Availability Snapshot
How liberal arts sections are being offered across 27 colleges in Minnesota this term (1452 sections total).
Delivery format
- online778 (54%)
- in person433 (30%)
- hybrid241 (17%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)357
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)299
- Evening (5 PM and after)38
- Asynchronous / TBA758
Start dates
Sections begin on 1 distinct date.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 472 distinct instructors across 27 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesGeneral Education/MnTC Requirements: 40 credits
40 creditsSee catalog for course list
A. Written (one course required)
B. Oral (one course required)
Elective Credit Requirements: 17 credits
17 creditsSee catalog for course list
Wellness Requirement: 3 credits
3 creditsSource: College catalog
Century College1 program
Goal 1: Communication
Student Success
Semester 1
- ENGL 1021Composition I58 sectionsor STSC 1050+ plan
- STSC 1021College Success Strategies12 sections+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 5: History/Social/Behavioral Sciences (1st discipline)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 6: Humanitites/Fine Art (1st discipline)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXSelect onenot offered+ plan
- COMM 1021Fundamentals of Public Speaking13 sections+ plan
- COMM 1031Interpersonal Communication26 sections+ plan
- COMM 1041Small Group Communication6 sections+ plan
- COMM 1051Intercultural Communication10 sections+ plan
Semester 2
- ENGL 1022Composition IInot offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 3: Natural Sciences (without Lab)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 4: Math/Logical Reasoning(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 5: History/Social/Behavioral Sciences (2nd discipline)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXMnTC Goal 6: Humanities/Fine Arts (2nd discipline)(3 cr)not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Common Liberal Arts courses
- ENGL 1121College Writing and Critical Reading(59 sections)
- ENGL 1101College Composition(59 sections)
- ENGL 1021Composition I(58 sections)
- ENGL 1110Research Project(57 sections)
- ENGL 1201College Writing I(52 sections)
- ENGL 1711Composition 1-Paired with ENGL 0925-01: English Foundations(44 sections)
- ENGL 1117Reading and Writing Critically I(41 sections)
- ENG 1108Writing And Research Skills(40 sections)
- ENGL 1410Composition I(28 sections)
- ENGL 1111Research and Composition for Change(28 sections)
- ENGL 1020Composition I(25 sections)
- ENGL 1312Analytical Writing(23 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 Minnesota four-year university?
- If you complete the full associate of arts at a Minnesota State college, yes — under Minnesota'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. Minnesota 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 Minnesota’s liberal arts programs stack up.
Other programs in Minnesota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.