COURSE CURRICULUM

The Diploma of Arts at KPU requires students to complete a total of 60 semester credit hours in university-level studies, offering a well-rounded academic foundation in the liberal arts. The curriculum begins with six credits of first-year English, which develop students’ reading, writing, and analytical skills essential for success in further academic work. In addition to English, students must complete eight other courses with university transfer credit in their first year, totaling 24 credits. These courses can span various disciplines, providing exposure to multiple fields of study and allowing students to explore their academic interests while building transferable skills such as critical thinking and effective communication. In the second year of the diploma, students are required to complete ten university-level courses, amounting to 30 credits. Among these, at least two courses must be selected from the following disciplines: Creative Writing or English at the 2000 level, History, Music (excluding private lessons), Philosophy, Political Science, or Sociology at the 1200 level or higher. This structure allows for both breadth and depth in students' academic experience, enabling them to specialize slightly while maintaining a broad-based liberal arts education. The program is designed not only to prepare students for further academic pursuits—such as entering a bachelor’s degree program—but also to equip them with valuable skills for employment and civic engagement. Through this diverse and flexible curriculum, students gain foundational knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to think critically and independently across a range of disciplines.