Liberal Studies Pathway


The Liberal Studies Pathway is designed to provide broad exploration of social sciences, natural sciences, humanities and the arts. Liberal studies course work gives students an opportunity to explore a variety of future career paths. This pathway emphasizes effective verbal and written communication, while promoting creative and critical thinking, and highlighting social responsibility.

If you are undecided about your major or field of interest, but you know you want to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree, or if you are considering a career program, we can suggest possibilities for your first semester of college to help you decide.

Extra-Curricular/Co-Curricular Opportunities at ECC

ECC has an active student clubs on campus that participate and host numerous co-curricular activities throughout the year. Some examples are Student Media, National Association for Music Education, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association, and Rotaract.

General Education


The aim of General Education at East Central College is to develop individuals capable of making thoughtful choices that lead to creative, informed, and productive lives and to demonstrate responsible participation in society. General Education is an essential component of the curriculum and is a springboard for lifelong learning. General Education at East Central College provides for learning that educated people will use in transfer and throughout their lives.

East Central College’s general education framework is the Missouri’s CORE 42. The framework is a 42 hour block of coursework that satisfies the Missouri Department of Higher Education General Education Core 42 Transfer model. It is designed for students to obtain the basic competencies of Valuing, Managing Information, Communicating, and Higher-Order Thinking through the completion of at least 42-semester hours distributed across the broad Knowledge Areas of Communications, Humanities & Fine Arts, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Students obtain the competencies through completion of the CORE 42 in its entirety. Students graduating from ECC with an AA degree and transferring to a public baccalaureate institution in Missouri will enter the transfer institution at the junior level and will have satisfied the lower division general education requirement. Students completing their AA degree and transferring to public baccalaureate institutions are assured full acceptance of the general education coursework.

Program Learning Outcomes


Program Learning Outcomes for the Associate of Arts Degree are East Central College’s Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs). While completing an AA degree, students will gain an understanding of

  • Critical Thinking – Students will be able to integrate knowledge for creating solutions to novel challenges.
  • Communication – Students will be able to effectively express ideas and exchange knowledge in multiple ways.
  • Social Responsibility – Students will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility.
  • Personal and Professional Development – Students will take responsibility for their personal and professional development.

Falcon Seminar


As part of the SOAR to 2024 strategic plan, East Central College has designed Academic Pathways for students based on their future major and career interests. Falcon Seminar is part of each Academic Pathway and supports students through their academic journey at ECC.

Falcon Seminar is a required course for all entering students. It promotes a climate of collaboration, assists students with their academic goals, and connects students to resources they may need during their college journey at ECC. The primary focus of Falcon Seminar is to create a holistic experience that connects the student to the college and community.

The objectives of Falcon Seminar are:

  1. Mentor students in building personal, professional and academic success skills.
  2. Connect students to resources and supports available to meet their goals.
  3. Commit to social responsibility through involvement in extra- and co-curricular activities.
  4. Empower students to think critically and proactively set goals.

Upon completion of Falcon Seminar, students will:

  1. Students will demonstrate awareness of effective communication, critical thinking and goal setting.
  2. Students will engage in activities that enhance their social responsibility through curricular and co-curricular experience at ECC.
  3. Students will apply college success skills and design an education plan supporting personal and professional development.
  4. Students will reflect on academic and career goals with self-assessment of strengths and opportunities for improvement.