Missouri 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.
8 colleges · 1075 sections · 93 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
The liberal-arts associate at Missouri community colleges is the most common transfer degree in the MCCA 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 1075 sections across 8 MCCA 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
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 →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | 322 | 23 | 84 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 183 | 11 | — |
| St Charles Community College | 170 | 15 | 66 |
| State Fair Community College | 169 | 13 | 39 |
| Jefferson College | 74 | 15 | 12 |
| East Central College | 56 | 13 | 10 |
| Crowder College | 53 | 8 | 14 |
| Mineral Area College | 48 | 12 | 17 |
Liberal Arts Availability Snapshot
How liberal arts sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Missouri this term (1075 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person789 (73%)
- online235 (22%)
- hybrid44 (4%)
- zoom7 (1%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)451
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)173
- Evening (5 PM and after)67
- Asynchronous / TBA384
Start dates
Sections begin on 10 distinct dates. 127 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 312 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Common Liberal Arts courses
- ENG 101English Comp I(245 sections)
- ENGL 101English Composition(175 sections)
- ENG 102English Comp II(66 sections)
- ENGL 102Composition & Reading II(51 sections)
- HIST 120United States History to 1865(31 sections)
- HIST 101Western Civilization I(30 sections)
- HIST 121United States History since 1865(29 sections)
- ENG 100COMPOSITION I WITH SUPPORT(26 sections)
- PHIL 100Introduction to Philosophy(26 sections)
- ENG 101SEnglish Comp I w/ Supplement(22 sections)
- HIS 101U.S History to 1877(20 sections)
- HIST 133Foundations of Western Civilization(20 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 Missouri four-year university?
- If you complete the full associate of arts at a MCCA college, yes — under Missouri'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. Missouri 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 Missouri’s liberal arts programs stack up.
Other programs in Missouri
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.