Academic Catalogs

Philosophy, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_PHIL

Control Number: 32804

Financial Aid Eligible


The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree focuses on a critical analysis of philosophical history, ideas, and concepts as well the development of analytical, critical thinking, writing, and reading skills. Students choosing this major will study a range of Philosophical subjects including metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and ethics. In addition, students will learn how to identify philosophical principles and concepts, critically analyze texts, and generate proper arguments. Completion of this major will provide students with a well-rounded understanding of Philosophy and equip them with the skills of a philosopher. The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus, such as CSU Fullerton, Long Beach, and San Bernardino. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system.

Students graduating with an Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer Degree are well-positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Philosophy AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework and a minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

Program Outcomes

  1. Articulate and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and theories.
  2. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
PHIL A100Introduction to Philosophy3
or PHIL A120 Ethics
PHIL A155Introduction to Logic3
or PHIL A220 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
List A
Select one course from the Core not yet taken or the following:3
PHIL A125
History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL A140
History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL A150
Critical Reasoning & Writing
List B
Select two courses from List A not yet taken or of the following:6
HIST A180/A180H
Western Civilization 1
HIST A185/A185H
Western Civilization 2
PHIL A115
Philosophy of Religion
List C
Select one course from List A or B not yet taken or the following:3-4
ENGL A101/A101H
Critical Reasoning: Fiction
HUM A100
Introduction to the Humanities
PHIL A118
Aesthetics/Philosophy of Art
PHIL A165
The Theory of Knowledge
PHIL A185
Contemporary Philosophy
Program Major units18-19
CSU or IGETC for CSU 37-39
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60

Program Sequence - CSU

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PHIL A100
or PHIL A120
 Introduction to Philosophy
or Ethics
 3
CSU GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA C1- CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA E- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12
Semester 2
PHIL A155
or PHIL A220
 Introduction to Logic
or Introduction to Symbolic Logic
 3
ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
CSU GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA B4- CHOOSE ONE 3-4
 Units15-16
Summer
CSU GE AREA B2 (no lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 3
 Units6
Year 2
Semester 1
ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 2
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA B1 (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 1 4
CSU GE AREA D- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units13
Semester 2
ADT LIST C COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3-4
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 2
or American Government Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA F- CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3 5
 Units14-15
 Total Units60-62
1

Lab can be taken with B1 or B2

2

American Ideals Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement 

3

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PHIL A100
or PHIL A120
 Introduction to Philosophy
or Ethics
 3
IGETC GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVES (UC TRANSFERABLE) 1 3
IGETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12
Semester 2
PHIL A155
or PHIL A220
 Introduction to Logic
or Introduction to Symbolic Logic
 3
ADT LIST A COURSE- CHOOSE ONE 3
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 3
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
IGETC GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE  
IGETC GE AREA 7- CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 6 4
 Units16
Summer
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 6 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
ADT LIST C COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 3
or American Government Honors
 3
IGETC GE AREA 5A (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 2 4
 Units13
Semester 2
ADT LIST B COURSE- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
IGETC GE AREA 5B (No Lab)- CHOOSE ONE 2 3
LOTE: Foreign Language or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 4 4-5
IGETC GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE OR ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 5 3-4
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 6 3
 Units16-18
 Total Units60-62
1

IGETC GE Area 1C - CSU Requirement

2

Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B

3

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 4

4

LOTE Requirement for UC only. If met LOTE through HS then take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units

5

PHIL A150 (From List A) fulfills IGETC GE AREA 1B. If not selected, take 3 UC transferable units

6

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS