Guidelines for Fulfilling General Education/Liberal Arts Requirements
Each degree program in the College requires that a minimum of 33 percent of the courses be in the liberal arts.

The Liberal Arts include the broad categories of humanities, fine arts, social science, science, and mathematics.  Any courses listed below will fulfill these requirements; however, please note exceptions.

Humanities: Fine Arts, Communications, English, Languages, Philosophy
Fine Arts: Art, Music, Theatre
Mathematics: Mathematics
Social Science: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology
Science Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Physics
Please note:

• ENG*101 Composition does not satisfy the Humanities or Liberal Arts requirement.
• COM*173 does not count as Humanities but does count as Liberal Arts.
• MAT*095 does not satisfy the Mathematics requirement.

The following Communications courses do not satisfy the Humanities or Liberal Arts requirements:

• COM*104, COM*131, COM*142, COM*153
• COM*177, COM*228, COM*231, COM*264
• COM*283, COM*284, COM*287, COM*293
• COM*294, COM*295, COM*296

An “L” course is one that requires some form of library project or research paper and includes a class session on information access by the library staff.  “L” courses will be designated with an “L” in the course description section of this catalog. 

A diversity or “D” course is designed to foster understanding, open-mindedness, and the valuing of others through an appreciation of human differences.  This may include race, ethnicity, culture, religion, national origin, as well as class, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, or other considerations.  “D” courses may take a comparative approach or focus on specific areas, especially those which have traditionally been underappreciated.  “D” courses are designated with a “D” in the course description section of this catalog. 

This requirement mandates that Middlesex students must have had two “L” courses and one “D” course by the time they have completed 60 credits.  Students who transfer to MxCC with 30 credits or more are exempt from these requirements; if transferring with fewer than 30 credits, one “L” course and one “D” course are required.

Advisors should be consulted about academic problems, changes in academic plans and graduation requirements.

Students who wish to change programs should make this change in the Records Office.

Students who wish to substitute courses in a program must complete the request form available in the Office of the Dean of Learning and Student Development, and secure approval from both their advisor and the chairperson of the division in which the program is administered.

Course changes are permitted during the first full week of classes on a space‑available basis, and with the permission of the Records Office. Course changes after this point require permission of the instructor and must be reported to the Records Office.

All students should select course loads appropriate for their academic abilities and their employment responsibilities. A full-time course load usually consists of 15 semester hours but no less than 12 hours. Students who wish to take more than 17 credits must have their advisor's recommendation and the approval of the Dean of Learning and Student Development.

The degrees of Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) are awarded by the Board of Trustees to qualifying candidates.

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is designed to provide students with broad general knowledge as a basis for transfer to four‑year programs at other colleges and universities. Programs emphasize the humanities and science disciplines and highlight courses in language, math and the social sciences.

Students are encouraged to inquire about transfer information with colleges of their choice.

The Associate in Science (A.S.) curriculum is designed to provide students with a general education which includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, math and science. Some programs include required courses in skill areas designed to prepare students for immediate employment in a variety of careers, while others list broad elective categories which assist students to transfer to four‑year colleges or universities.

TRACKS.  Some programs have two or even three tracks.  A program track might be thought of as an emphasis or as a major within a major.  A student completing two program tracks in the same program will receive only one diploma.  The transcript will indicate that course work was concentrated in one of more program tracks.

Per agreement between the Connecticut Community Colleges, the Connecticut State University System, and the University of Connecticut, students may take select courses at any other state institution if such courses are not offered at the student’s home institution.  Please see your advisor or a counselor for additional information.

With proper planning, Middlesex students are able to transfer credits to most public and private colleges and universities both in and out of Connecticut.  Because requirements of four-year institutions vary, students planning to transfer should confer with their academic advisor or a counselor early in their academic career to ensure proper course selection.

Students planning to transfer can examine a collection of college catalogs or utilize transfer software in the Career Development & Counseling Center (CDCC).  Students can also take advantage of the CDCC Transfer Fair held each fall, as well as individual transfer visits from college representatives.

Middlesex has a number of specific transfer articulation agreements with public and private colleges and universities including the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University system.  These agreements provide students with specific course equivalencies on a program basis.  Information about course selection and program planning for transfer to these colleges is available in the Career Development & Counseling Center.

The Community Colleges of Connecticut (CCC) and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) have entered into a Transfer Agreement in order to facilitate transfer between the two systems.  It is important for students to consult with a counselor or an academic advisor when choosing courses in order to ensure transfer of all credits. Students interested in majoring in one of the fields offered by the UCONN College of Arts and Sciences are encouraged to consider the opportunities offered by this agreement.

Business & Technology Transfer Pathway Program
The University of Connecticut (UConn) and Middlesex Community College (MxCC) have established a transfer pathway program for students who wish to pursue the Business & Technology (BSBT) baccalaureate degree at UConn. Automatic admission to the BSBT major is guaranteed for MxCC students who complete their Associate's Degree while meeting specific grade and course requirements. Students interested in this program should contact MxCC's Business Division or the Career Development & Counseling Center early in their academic career. The BSBT degree is offered only at UConn's regional campuses in Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury and Torrington. Students who wish to obtain a Business Degree from UConn at the Storrs campus should meet with their advisor to choose appropriate transfer courses.

The Community Colleges of Connecticut  and the Connecticut State University System have entered into a Transfer Agreement in order to facilitate transfer between the two systems. Under the agreement, the completion of an associate degree in a college transfer program shall normally give students junior standing upon admission to the baccalaureate institution.  Credit for passing grades from the sending institution shall be accepted by the baccalaureate institution. It is important for students to consult with a counselor or an academic advisor when choosing electives in order to ensure transfer of all credits.

Several years ago the Connecticut Community Colleges began a project to develop a common course numbering system. When it is completed, the system should be of great value to students. A common course numbering system is sensible for several reasons:

• It makes course comparisons easier between colleges in the System.
• It facilitates course comparisons and the transcript evaluation process for students transferring among our colleges or from our colleges to baccalaureate institutions.
• It facilitates the negotiation and implementation of articulation agreements between the community colleges, the Connecticut State University system, the University of Connecticut, and independent institutions.

The second phase of common course numbering has just been implemented. As a result, most courses in this catalog have different course designators (the course designator is a three or four letter abbreviation for the subject area such as ENG for English or POL for Political Science) and numbers. All new numbers will contain a three-letter designator (RAD) followed by an asterisk (*). So, what was formerly RAD 103-Orientation to Radiography II has become RAD*108. Eventually all courses will have new course designators and numbers. You will note that the class schedule, as well as course descriptions contain old and new numbers and, in come cases, titles. Please use the new numbers and course title when registering.

For more information, visit the page of Academic Programs.