How to choose a bachelor's in liberal studies
A bachelor's degree in liberal studies can be applied to various careers, making it a popular choice for students. When choosing a liberal studies program, you should consider many factors, including accreditation, specializations, format, curriculum, and cost. Keep reading to discover how to choose a bachelor's in liberal studies.
Guide to choosing a bachelor's degree in liberal studies
All bachelor's in liberal studies programs are not created equal. Selecting the right bachelor's degree in liberal studies program for you involves important considerations, each of which should be tailored to your situation.
Consider the following factors in choosing your bachelor's degree in liberal studies program:
Accreditation
The bachelor's degree in liberal studies program you choose should hold institutional accreditation from a regional organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation shows that an institution has met CHEA's academic quality, improvement, and accountability standards. Major accrediting agencies of schools housing bachelor's in liberal studies programs include:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Program format
When choosing a bachelor's in liberal studies program, its format matters. You may prefer to enroll in a program that is offered completely online. You may opt for one in which classes are taught in-person. You may be searching for a hybrid program that offers a bit of both formats, providing both online and in-person classes. Whichever you desire, make sure that the bachelor's in liberal studies program you choose meets your requirements.
Curriculum
Research the curricula of the bachelor's in liberal studies programs you are considering to ensure that they align with the types of courses you want to take and any career opportunities you may wish to explore. In some programs, you can choose your own combination of courses to tailor your program to exactly what you want to study. Core courses that you can expect to find in most bachelor's in liberal studies programs include:
- History
- Philosophy
- Social sciences
- Communications
- Composition
- Literature
- Natural science
- Mathematics
Available specializations
One of the advantages of a bachelor's in liberal studies program is that you can customize your program of study. Some programs go even further in this customization and allow you to choose from one or more specializations (which may be referred to as concentrations or minors). Check the bachelor's programs you are interested in to see if they offer specializations that attract you. Possible specializations include, but are not limited to:
- Business
- Healthcare
- Legal
- Social services
- Global or international studies
- Gender studies
- Ethnic studies
Cost/financial aid
For many students, cost matters when choosing a bachelor's in liberal studies program. Before beginning your research, decide how much you can realistically spend on your education. Include any sources of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans for which you may have qualified in your determination of what you can afford. See if the programs that interest you offer any scholarships or other financial aid specific to your needs, situation, or the liberal arts program itself.