A course that teaches application of literary theory to texts may sound abstract and even impractical at first, but for students in Liza Long’s class, their final project offered a real-world...
Read more about English Students Experience the World of Publishing FirsthandLiberal Arts
Build Higher Education Foundation and Prepare for Broad Career Opportunities
Program Overview
Do you aspire to broaden your knowledge and sharpen your critical thinking, and foster habits of mind for lifelong learning? College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers you a transformative journey with the Liberal Arts Associate of Arts degree. This program is designed to develop your learning, thinking, and writing skills within a flexible framework, preparing you for upper-division work if you plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
In addition to general education, you will engage in an in-depth research and writing class, enhancing your skills in analysis, synthesis, and creativity. You will also complete at least two 200-level courses beyond general education requirements to prepare you for the workplace or additional college courses. Your journey in the Liberal Arts program culminates in a capstone project, where you will demonstrate your research and writing abilities while reflecting on your learning and showcasing your achievements.
Degree or Certificate Type
Associate of Arts
Fully Online
Time to Complete
2 years
Primary Locations
Learning Opportunities
- Versatile Degree Design: Embrace a degree that adapts to your academic and career aspirations, offering flexibility and depth.
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Develop skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, essential for success in any career.
- Research & Writing Proficiency: Hone your research and writing skills through a specialized course and capstone project.
- Preparation for Advanced Studies: Gain a strong foundation for transferring to a four-year institution for further academic pursuits.
- Opportunity for Elective Exploration: Explore your passions through electives while earning a valuable associate degree.
Area of Study
Degrees & Certificates
Liberal Arts – Associate of Arts Degree
Available Fully Online
Degree RequirementsCareer Opportunities
Customer Service Representatives
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.
1159
Annual Openings*
$14.52
Hourly Median Wage*
$30,202
Annual Median Salary
0.23%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
General and Operations Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
1137
Annual Openings*
$29.70
Hourly Median Wage*
$61,776
Annual Median Salary
19.1%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers. Excludes “Cashiers” (41-2011).
1137
Annual Openings*
$13.59
Hourly Median Wage*
$28,267
Annual Median Salary
14.96%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers. Excludes legal, medical, and executive secretaries (43-6011 through 43-6013).
565
Annual Openings*
$17.55
Hourly Median Wage*
$36,504
Annual Median Salary
5.11%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
508
Annual Openings*
$25.41
Hourly Median Wage*
$52,853
Annual Median Salary
21.66%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
492
Annual Openings*
$23.22
Hourly Median Wage*
$48,298
Annual Median Salary
8.74%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Managers, All Other
All managers not listed separately.
279
Annual Openings*
$24.55
Hourly Median Wage*
$51,064
Annual Median Salary
39.33%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Real Estate Sales Agents
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
248
Annual Openings*
$18.31
Hourly Median Wage*
$38,085
Annual Median Salary
31.71%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Human Resources Specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas. Excludes “Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists” (13-1141) and “Training and Development Specialists” (13-1151).
239
Annual Openings*
$28.36
Hourly Median Wage*
$58,989
Annual Median Salary
27.28%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Computer User Support Specialists
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. Excludes “Network and Computer Systems Administrators” (15-1244).
232
Annual Openings*
$22.63
Hourly Median Wage*
$47,070
Annual Median Salary
17.58%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Project Management Specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer. Excludes “Management Occupations” (11-0000), “Logisticians” (13-1081), “Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners” (13-1121), and “Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks” (43-5061).
226
Annual Openings*
$36.96
Hourly Median Wage*
$76,877
Annual Median Salary
34.14%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
All business operations specialists not listed separately.
225
Annual Openings*
$34.94
Hourly Median Wage*
$72,675
Annual Median Salary
31.98%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Postsecondary Teachers
202
Annual Openings*
$35.66
Hourly Median Wage*
$74,173
Annual Median Salary
35.75%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Financial Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment. Excludes “Financial Risk Specialists” (13-2054).
169
Annual Openings*
$46.63
Hourly Median Wage*
$96,990
Annual Median Salary
40.8%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Teachers and Instructors, All Other
All teachers and instructors not listed separately.
126
Annual Openings*
$16.50
Hourly Median Wage*
$34,320
Annual Median Salary
19.88%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Sales Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
125
Annual Openings*
$43.54
Hourly Median Wage*
$90,563
Annual Median Salary
28.7%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Social and Human Service Assistants
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care. Excludes “Rehabilitation Counselors” (21-1015), “Psychiatric Technicians” (29-2053), “Personal Care Aides” (31-1122), and “Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs” (43-4061).
117
Annual Openings*
$17.65
Hourly Median Wage*
$36,712
Annual Median Salary
18.83%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Chief Executives
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
115
Annual Openings*
$34.31
Hourly Median Wage*
$71,365
Annual Median Salary
5.34%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Tutors
Instruct individual students or small groups of students in academic subjects to support formal class instruction or to prepare students for standardized or admissions tests. Excludes “Postsecondary Teachers” (25-1000), “Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Special Education Teachers” (25-2000), “Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors” (25-3011), and “Self-Enrichment Teachers” (25-3021).
99
Annual Openings*
$16.72
Hourly Median Wage*
$34,778
Annual Median Salary
41.74%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Marketing Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
92
Annual Openings*
$40.90
Hourly Median Wage*
$85,072
Annual Median Salary
33.76%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff. Excludes “Secretaries” (43-6012 through 43-6014).
82
Annual Openings*
$23.51
Hourly Median Wage*
$48,901
Annual Median Salary
4.16%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.
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Admissions
Step 1
- Apply to CWI.
- Choose Liberal Arts as your major.
Step 2
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Cost & Aid
As a student in this program, you may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships.
Idaho Launch
Are you a 2024 Idaho high school graduate? Learn how to get up to $8,000 of your tuition and fees covered at CWI through Idaho LAUNCH.
Enrichment Opportunities
Enhance your academic experience, expand your knowledge, reach your goals, and celebrate your achievements.
Advising
Already a student? We are here to help you navigate your educational journey, connect you to academic and support resources, and achieve your academic or career goals.
Transfer Information
Plan ahead for a smooth transition to a four-year college or university.
Clubs
Beta Sigma Pi is College of Western Idaho's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. As part of the Rocky Mountain Cascade Region , Beta Sigma Pi joins more than 1,300 chapters and 3.25 million PTK members worldwide with the mission to recognize the academic achievement of college students and provide opportunities for growth as scholars and leaders.
News
CWI’s Political Science Speaker Series and Common Read Series welcome Dr. Kylee Britzman to campus March 18.
Read more about Political (Mis)Information and Motivated ReasoningCWI's Common Read Series invites you to join them for an informative panel discussion all about science featuring CWI faculty.
Read more about Common Read Series: Communicating ScientificallyAn exhibition of images and poems created during “Muse: A Poetry Workshop” are on display through Nov. 18.
Read more about Muse Poetry and Art ExhibitionPsychology and Social Work students participate in service-learning project with the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.
Read more about Service-Learning Project Brings Opportunity and PerspectiveCollege of Western Idaho’s Common Read Series presents “Muse: A Poetry Workshop” with guest facilitator, Amanda Ranth.
Read more about Muse: A Poetry WorkshopCongratulations to Jana McCurdy, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for March 2019.
Read more about Faculty of Distinction—March 2019“CWI empowered me to pursue an education.”
Read more about Pursuing Something Better“CWI empowered me to believe in myself and in a better future.”
Read more about Leading by Example“CWI empowered me to dream of a happy, successful future!”
Read more about Stepping Into the Future“CWI empowered me to work hard for my dreams and passion. Because of CWI, I get to do what I love and get paid for it!”
Read more about Turning Passion into a CareerCongratulations to Piper Skoglund, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for January 2019.
Read more about Staff of the Month—January 2019Request More Information
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