Liberal Studies
The liberal studies program allows adults — whose jobs, family or community obligations may have prevented regular college attendance —to earn a degree while completing coursework at their own pace. Liberal Studies students integrate their wealth of knowledge and real-world experiences with formal learning to meet their personal learning goals and gain the rewards of academic achievement.
Liberal Studies students work through our competency-based education (CBE) track. This format allows you to learn at your own pace: once you’ve mastered a topic, you can advance immediately to the next topic. For students who are eager to complete their program as quickly as possible, the CBE track can represent a meaningful savings in time and resources.
This degree can be completed on campus or 100% online. Some required courses in the major are offered only online; electives and general education classes may be taken either online or on campus.
With a Liberal Studies Degree:
Students pick a concentration related to an area that meets their professional or personal goals. Students take an active role in determining the direction and content of their learning. The capstone requirement of the program is the Senior Capstone, which builds upon the concentration selected by the student.
The Liberal Studies program is a popular degree completion option for those with existing college credit. Additionally, you may be able to apply transfer credits, military credits and prior-learning credits — relevant academic, work, volunteer and life experiences — toward your bachelor's degree.
A Liberal Studies Degree allows you to use your broad education to find employment opportunities in business, industry and services areas. Your degree can be a pathway to graduate school or your own personal fulfillment.
Admission into Liberal Studies Degree
To be admitted to the liberal studies program, you must:
- Be 24 years of age or older
- Have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
(You may transfer up to 77 semester hours toward your degree)
Earning a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies
To earn a Bachelors Degree in liberal studies, you must:
- Earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in your program
- Complete a total of 120 semester hours
- Complete the Senior Capstone requirement
Liberal studies students also may earn credit through College Level Examination Program testing in general education areas.
You can also complete your degree 100% online depending on your focus.
Senior Capstone
The senior capstone is the capstone requirement of the program. It is a four credit hour project undertaken
with a faculty member as the thesis adviser.
Students are expected to integrate their thesis theme with their concentration courses.