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Liberal Studies ,BA

Liberal Studies, BA


Liberal Arts, degree completion, humanities, non traditional, online, unique

Tailor this degree to your passions and goals. The flexibility of this program allows you to satisfy your wide-ranging interests while pursuing multidisciplinary learning relevant to a variety of careers.

Program description

For students whose interests are too big for any one major, or degree-completion students looking for the best way to finish a bachelor's degree with earned credits, the BA program in liberal studies opens up the academic world for exploration.

The liberal studies major offers a course of study emphasizing the humanities and social sciences and gives students great flexibility in constructing their own educational path. Courses engage students in diverse ideas and perspectives, and students develop habits of mind beneficial in all areas of life. A liberal studies degree prepares students to meet the challenges of a complex world. It offers a path that enables students to prepare for a career or to change careers, to increase self-understanding, and to develop thoughtful engagement with other people and diverse cultures.

Liberal studies are the oldest form of higher education in the Western tradition, with roots going back to ancient Greece. It was realized early on that democracy depends on a population of educated people who can make and follow arguments, who can communicate clearly in a public forum, and who can learn how to learn about the important subjects affecting people's lives.

A liberal education is not the same thing as being politically liberal in the modern sense; throughout history, people from all political perspectives have made significant contributions to and drawn from the knowledge and skills that define a liberal education.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
    OR any math course that meets the MATH designation
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Transfer admission requirements:

The MyPath2ASU pathway allows Arizona transfer students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses that meet the requirements for the community college's AA degree along with the lower-division requirements for the ASU major.

Students completing their ASU BA degree at Yuma: Once the MyPath2ASU pathway requirements are complete, students complete the remaining requirements for the ASU bachelor's degree at the community college.

Students should visit Admission Services for more information about ASU degrees offered at local community colleges.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Global opportunities
Global experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available, liberal studies students are able to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S., or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

The College of Integrative Sciences and Arts recommends these programs for students majoring in liberal studies.

Career opportunities

Liberal studies graduates are prepared to enter the workforce or pursue graduate or professional studies. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers, including:

  • creative writer
  • grant writer
  • higher education professional
  • public relations personnel
  • research analyst
  • training specialist

Some career options may require additional training or schooling.

Career example titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience, geographical location, and required advanced degrees or certifications may affect pay scales.


Career *Growth *Median salary
3.7%
$73,150
6.3%
$63,080
-4.0%
$73,080
6.5%
$120,000
5.2%
$61,190
2.9%
$65,740
13.4%
$68,230
3.1%
$96,290
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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