Department of Liberal Arts

Department of Liberal Arts

Department of Liberal Arts

Overview

A student pursuing studies in the Department of Liberal Arts can expect, in two years, to earn a dual certification of an associate degree in their respective field and CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) Certification. The department follows the CAPE syllabus for most of its courses. Additional one-semester foundation and elective courses complete the associate degree framework.

The department aspires to deepen knowledge in the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences. It promotes educational opportunities that are responsive to the needs of society and shapes students to succeed in a global economy. While students have the option of not sitting CAPE exams, we strongly encourage them to take these exams because they must complete the same level of work in pursuit of the associate degree and, where a student may not have been successful in an internal final exam, a pass at CAPE will act as a re-sit grade. Additionally, they benefit from having dual qualifications.

The Department of Liberal Arts has three (3) schools, namely, Social Science, Science and Mathematics, Humanities and Fine Arts offering associate degrees with a variety of concentrations. The options are outlined below:

School of Social Sciences 

The School of Social Science offers students (6) six concentrations from which to choose. They are: 

  • Finance 
  • Economics and Management 
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Politics and Government 
  • Sociology and Law 
  • Nutrition and Physical Education. 

 

School of Humanities and Fine Arts 

The School of Humanities and Fine Arts offers students (3) three concentrations from which to choose. They are: 

  • Performing Arts (with specializations in Dance, Drama and Music selected in year 2 of their study) 
  • Art and Design 
  • Modern Languages 

 

School of Science and Mathematics 

The School of Science and Mathematics offers students (4) four concentrations from which to choose. They are: 

  • Science (3 options from which to choose) 
  • Environmental Studies 
  • Food Science 
  • Computer Science 

 

Associate Degrees

Humanities and Fine Arts

Social Sciences

Science and Mathematics

Our Liberal Arts students have the widest array of subject choices within their chosen disciplines.  There are 29 core subject options and a slate of 8 electives from which to choose.  To meet entry requirements students should have on their transcript at minimum a 55% or better average or CSEC pass (Grades I, II, or III) in the associated prerequisite subject. 

Programme Information

Entry Requirements

Entry into each program is determined by the program selected. However, all students are expected to have English. For all concentrations in the School of Science and Mathematics, Mathematics is a requirement. Please see below for an outline of the programs and the minimum entry requirement. Please note that additional subjects are a plus.

School of Social Sciences

Finance – Prerequisites: Math, POA, POB, English
Economics and Management – Prerequisites: POB, Math, English
Entrepreneurship – Prerequisites: POB, English
Politics and Government – Prerequisites: Social Studies or History, English
Sociology and Law – Prerequisites: Social Studies, English.
Nutrition and Physical Education – Prerequisites: English, Social Studies, POB, Physical Education or Biology (Human or Social), or Integrated Science, or Food and Nutrition or Physics

 

School of Humanities and Fine Arts

Performing Arts – Prerequisites: English A or B, History, any other subjects like (Social Studies, POB or POA)
Art and Design – Prerequisites: Visual Art, English, History, and any other subjects (Social Studies, POA, POB, Spanish or French if choosing Foreign Language).
Modern Languages – Prerequisites: English A or B, French, Spanish, any other subject (Social Studies, etc.)

School of Science and Math

Science: Option 1 – Prerequisites: Math, English, Biology, Chemistry
Science: Option 2 – Prerequisites: Math, English, Physics, Chemistry
Science: Option 3 – Prerequisites: Math, English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Environmental Science – Prerequisites: Math, English, Geography, any other Science Subject, Social Studies, POB a bonus.
Food Science – Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, English, Math, Food and Nutrition
Computer Science – Prerequisites: Math, English, IT, any other subject

Course Load and Delivery Structure

Program Structure & Delivery

The Department operates on a semester basis:

Semester 1
Semester II
Summer Semester (Optional)

Courses offered in Semester I are prerequisites for those offered in semester II. A student failing a course will have to wait to retake it when it is offered again in the corresponding Semester I or II. Courses offered in the Summer Semester (Optional) are Electives and some Foundation Courses only. Summer Semester will follow an afternoon schedule.

Credit Requirements 

Our courses are 4 credits except for electives and some mandatory Foundation Courses which are 3 credits. To successfully complete a program of study students will complete a minimum of 67 credits. Total credits per program range between 67 and 71 to qualify for graduation. Credits are distributed as follows:

48- 56 Credits from Core Courses or Concentrations

12- 19 Credits from Foundation Courses (namely Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Foundation Mathematics).

3 Credits from an Elective (1 elective)

School of Social Sciences

 

1. Finance

Accounting (16 Credits)
Financial Services (16 Credits)
Economics (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, POA, POB, English.
Total 67 Credits for Completion

 

2. Economics and Management

Economics (16 Credits)
Financial Services (16 Credits)
Management of Business (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: POB, Math, English
Total 67 Credits for Completion

 

3. Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship (16 Credits)
Tourism (16 Credits)
Management (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: POB, English
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

4. Politics and Government

Politics and Government (16 Credits)
History or Literatures in English (16 Credits)
Economics (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (FOM101) (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Social Studies or History, English.
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

5. Sociology and Law

Sociology (16 Credits)
Literatures in English (16 Credits)
Law (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Social Studies, English.
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

6. Nutrition and Physical Education

Food and Nutrition (16 Credits)
Physical Education and Sport (16 Credits)
Entrepreneurship (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: English, Social Studies, POB, Physical Education or Biology (Human or Social), or Integrated Science, or Food and Nutrition or Physics
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

 

School of Humanities and Fine Arts

 

1. Performing Arts

Performing Arts (options: Dance, Drama or Music) (16 Credits)
Literatures in English (16 Credits)
History (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: English A or B, History, any other subjects like (Social Studies, POB or POA)
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

2. Art and Design

Art & Design (16 Credits)
History or Modern Language (French or Spanish) (16 Credits)
Literatures in English (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Art, English, History, and any other subjects (Social Studies, POA, POB, Spanish or French if choosing Foreign Language).
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

3. Modern Languages

Literatures in English (16 Credits)
French (16 Credits)
Spanish (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
Foundation Mathematics (3 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: English A or B, French, Spanish, any other subject (Social Studies, etc).
Total 70 Credits for Completion

 

School of Science and Math

1. Science: Option 1

Biology (16 Credits)
Chemistry (16 Credits)
Mathematics (student selects between Pure, Applied or Integrated Mathematics) (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, English, Biology, Chemistry
Total 67 Credits for Completion

 

2. Science: Option 2

Physics (16 Credits)
Chemistry or Biology (16 Credits)
Mathematics (student selects between Pure, Applied or Integrated Mathematics) (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, English, Physics, Chemistry
Total 67 Credits for Completion

3. Science: Option 3

Physics (16 Credits)
Biology (16 Credits)
Chemistry (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
1 Unit Pure Mathematics (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (One Semester) (4 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Total 71 Credits for Completion

 

Environmental Science

Geography (16 Credits)
Environmental Science (16 Credits)
Green Engineering or Biology (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
1 Unit Applied Mathematics (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (One Semester) (4 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, English, Geography, any other Science Subject, Social Studies, POB a bonus.
Total 71 Credits for Completion

 

Food Science

Food & Nutrition (16 Credits)
Chemistry (16 Credits)
Biology (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (One Semester) (4 Credits)
Pure Mathematics (8 Credits)
1 Elective (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, English, Math, Food and Nutrition
Total 71 Credits for Completion

 

Computer Science

Information Technology (16 Credits)
Computer Science (16 Credits)
Pure Mathematics (16 Credits)
Communication Studies (8 Credits)
Caribbean Studies (8 Credits)
1 Electives (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Math, English, IT, any other subject.
Total 67 Credits for Completion

 

Duration of Study

A student choosing any of the above options can expect to complete their study in two years as laid out in the Curriculum Plan, which each student will receive upon successfully entering the program. To this end, a student should expect to carry a maximum number of 5 subjects, or 6 where necessary per semester. A student desirous of carrying a heavier load will have to seek permission from the Head of Department.

CAPE Examinations

The CXC CAPE examination schedule  typically runs from April to early July. Students are adequately prepared for and given ample notice of the exam dates. Lecturers guide students in preparation of all SBA’s, so they are poised to succeed.

As a CXC CAPE examination center, our college has an annual registration period beginning the 2nd week of October in the year prior to examinations being held. These external examinations have an additional fee which are separate from the College fee payments. 

All examination payments must be completed by the last week of November  in preparation for exams.  As a result, students must confirm their courses and payments before receipt of timetables in the upcoming year. All communication about CAPE to students will be sent to their college emails. 

With the advent of online administration of CXC Exams, students are advised to acquire a laptop for the duration of their study and certainly for this event.  Device system requirements can be requested from admissions@asc.edu.ag.

Graduation and Recognition For Outstanding Work

General Graduation Requirements

Successfully completing a program of study means that you have passed all your courses to meet the credits requirement of between 67 and 71 credits and you have a minimum 2.00 GPA (Grade Point Average). 

Graduating with Honors

Students with a GPA between 3.60 and 3.84 will graduate with Honors.
Students with a GPA between 3.85 and 4.30 will graduate with High Honors.

Recognition For Outstanding Work

Our graduation ceremony is held in October.  Accolades for graduands who are awarded honors are imprinted on the degree document and these persons wear designated regalia at the ceremony.  Graduands who excel to emerge top performers in their programme and department are awarded plaques.  

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to create an applicant account and fill out our online application form. Applicants should be legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda and must submit documentation in support of this to have their application processed.  

Applicants who have been offered a place and do not register before the first week of classes will be subject to a late registration fee up to the end of Week 3. Students must be in attendance for the first class session of week 3.  Thereafter, the offer of a place is automatically deferred to the next entry period for the programme.  

Fees are due upon registration. 

Why Study Here?

We invite you to explore and develop your potential with us as we look forward to celebrating what you left with us as much as what we gave you to take away when you graduate.  Join us on the hill!