Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northland has a three fold purpose: (1) It is designed to provide students with the coursework necessary for transfer to four-year institutions throughout the nation. (2) It has at its basis the universal principle that the liberal arts teaches people how to think and, consequently, how to learn. (3) It enables students to develop critical thinking skills that they can use to formulate their own ideas and, thus, become actively engaged in the learning process. The Liberal Arts and Sciences degree provides the first two years of most baccalaureate degrees and is designed for transfer to a four-year institution. Students who complete the Associate of Arts degree at Northland, which includes the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, are assured of seamless transfer into Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as into the University of Minnesota system, and usually are accepted into most out-of-state colleges, including the University of North Dakota.

Program Learner Outcomes

1. Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate appropriate use of communication
2. Critical Thinking: Students will gather information, develop solutions, and apply a viable plan of action.
3. Social Engagement: Students will be prepared to practice social engagement that addresses environmental responsibility, civic engagement, and global diversity.
4. Application of Resources: Students will utilize appropriate information or technical resources.
5. Personal Development: Students will demonstrate professional and personal growth behaviors.