The objectives of the Letters, Arts, and Sciences major are to broaden the student’s understanding, interests, and skills; to help the student become a more responsible, productive member of his/her family and community; and to offer a degree program with sufficient electives to permit some specialization according to the student’s interests or career plans. Letters, Arts, and Sciences is a complete two-year degree major. However, graduates who later seek admission to baccalaureate degree majors may apply credits toward the new degree. In addition to a wide variety of baccalaureate majors offered at the University Park campus, graduates of the Letters, Arts, and Sciences major may qualify for admission to the baccalaureate degree majors in Behavioral Sciences, Elementary Education, Humanities, or Public Policy offered at Penn State Harrisburg. Or they may qualify for any of a number of baccalaureate degree majors offered by Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in business, the liberal arts, and sciences. At Penn State Harrisburg, the program is available through both daytime and evening courses. For the Associate in Arts degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences, a minimum of 60 credits is required.

The associate degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences gives students the flexibility to create a program tailored to their specific academic and career goals. Students will benefit from study in English composition and effective speaking, mathematics, and general education courses in arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and science. In addition, students are permitted to concentrate electives in an area of special interest. Thus, graduates will receive a well-rounded, focused education that will enable them to move into the career world or pursue further study. The application of acquired knowledge and skills to their careers can be very broad.