2023 Best Online Liberal Studies Degrees

Thomas Edison State University (TESU), a public university, offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Most full-time students complete this 120-credit hour program in four to five years. To be admitted, applicants must be at least 20 years old or 18 if they are active military members. The school accepts transfer credits from other accredited institutions and may offer credit for prior military and professional training.

TESU delivers its online courses through the Moodle platform. For this major, students can combine coursework from two or more liberal arts subject areas, which include humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and more. In order to graduate, students must be able to define the major concepts, interrelationships, and historical development of their subject areas.

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private, nonprofit institution that is considered an Ivy League school. It has a highly competitive acceptance rate of 7.7% and a graduation rate of 97%. Its online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences requires the completion of 30 course units, which is the equivalent of 120 credit hours.

Penn students use the Canvas learning system to access their online courses. Liberal studies courses may include scientific reasoning, writing, digital culture, statistics, and ethics. Overall, the liberal studies program is designed to help students develop communication abilities, understand multicultural perspectives, and apply their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To graduate, students must complete a capstone project and a senior portfolio.

Through Drexel University, a private, nonprofit institution, students can earn an online Bachelor of Science in General Studies. The program caters to applicants who have completed up to 135 quarter credits or 90 credit hours at other accredited colleges and want to complete their degree. Drexel's schedule, which is organized into four 10-week quarters a year, may allow some students to finish their degree requirements more quickly.

Online students use the school's proprietary learning platform, Drexel LEARN, to complete their courses. General studies majors can customize their degree programs with courses concentrating on business, counseling, education, criminal justice, project management, and more. To graduate, students must also complete a senior project.

The University of Arkansas - Grantham (UArk) is a public university that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. For this degree, students must complete the university's core course requirements as well as the requirements for the minor of their choice, which typically includes the completion of a total of 120 credit hours.

UArk students use the Blackboard learning management system to access their online courses. Core courses may include English literature, calculus, art appreciation, economics, and U.S. history. Some of the many options for minors are African American studies, criminal justice, geography, Spanish, writing, political science, and communications. Some of these minor programs include certificates. All students must complete a senior capstone course.

Through Montana State University - Billings (MSUB), a public institution, students can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies. This degree completion program allows students to transfer up to two years' credits from other accredited institutions, and it requires the completion of a total of 120 credit hours. MSUB accepts all applicants, and its graduation rate is 35%.

At MSUB, online courses are delivered through the Brightspace learning platform. Enrollees in the liberal studies program can select from a wide range of business-oriented concentrations, including Management and Public Relations, Organizational Communication and Human Resource Management, and Health Administration and Organizational Communication.

Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is a public, Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies students can design to meet individual interests and goals by choosing two to four focus areas. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, generally taking four years of full-time study. WNMU partners with Central New Mexico College (CNM) to deliver a fast-track online liberal arts degree that connects with the bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, allowing students to finish the CNM portion in 16 months. WNMU has an open admission policy and accepts 100% of applicants, and 35% of students graduate with degrees.

WNMU delivers its online curriculum via Canvas. Distance learners studying interdisciplinary studies engage in courses such as Intro to Creative Writing, Forensic Science, American National Government, and Intro to Photography. They also complete an exit essay to graduate.

Indiana-based Purdue Global (PG) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. This interdisciplinary program is ideal for students with prior learning from various accredited sources. It offers concentrations in leadership, supply chain logistics, and organizational/industrial psychology — though choosing one is not required. Students complete 120 credits to graduate, which may take less than four years for full-time students transferring with credits. PG has an open admission policy and accepts all applicants. Overall, 30% of students at PG graduate with degrees.

PG uses Brightspace to deliver its online program content to distance learners. For students choosing concentrations, courses in the online professional studies program include Strategic Communication, Logistics and Distribution Management, Attitudes and Motivation in the Workplace, and Selection and Assessment in Organizations.

Florida's Hodges University (HU) is a private, nonprofit, Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies - General that is transfer-friendly and helps prepare students for various careers in civil services, nonprofits, human resources, and general business. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, which may take full-time students less than four years due to monthly start dates. HU's open admission policy allows it to accept all applicants, and 31% of students graduate with degrees.

Canvas is HU's choice for online program delivery. Online interdisciplinary students distance learners choosing to focus on general studies take courses, such as Contemporary Global Issues, Psychology of Conflict Management, Innovative Strategic Thinking, and Intercultural Communication.

Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science/Arts in University Studies that allows students to choose three distinct study areas — concentrations — based on interests and goals. Similar to other bachelor's programs, students complete 120 credits to graduate, which generally takes four years of full-time study. An online Bachelor of General Studies is also offered. TTU is relatively competitive, accepting 68% of applicants, and it has a higher-than-average 63% graduation rate.

TTU delivers its online curriculum through Blackboard. While courses will vary based on the students' concentrations in the online university studies program, many take classes such as Communication and Popular Culture, Introduction to Human Geography, Exposition of Technical Information, and Creating the Critical Listener.

Located in the diverse Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex, Texas Woman's University (TWU) is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of General Studies. This online degree program allows students to pick two or three concentrations in fields such as Health Studies, Business, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies. This program requires 120 credits to graduate, which may take some full-time students as little as two years. TWU has a high 96% acceptance rate, and 58% of students graduate.

TWU's distance learners use Canvas to access online coursework and instruction. Depending on the concentrations chosen in the online general studies program, students take courses such as Health Aspects of Aging, Ethics and Feminism, Forensic Psychology, Deviant Behavior, and Intro to International Business.

Hispanic-serving University of North Texas (UNT) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) for students with a technical or applied associate degree or prior military credit. Concentrations include Consumer Behavior, Data Analytics, Media Innovation, and Hospitality, among others. Students must transfer into this program with at least 45 credits. Students complete 120 credits, which may be done with two years of full-time study. Courses are eight weeks, and students take two classes at a time. UNT has an 81% acceptance and a 60% graduation rate.

UNT provides Canvas access to distance learners so they can access its online curriculum. Depending on the concentration and online availability, remote BAAS students choose from courses such as Consumers in a Global Market, Digital Curation and Preservation, Hospitality Industry Law, and Film Style Production.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Texas is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies, allowing students to choose three academic minors. This program requires 120 credits, culminating in a General Studies capstone. Online minors are available in 23 areas of study, such as Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration, and Communication Studies. SHSU accepts 97% of applicants, and 61% of students graduate with degrees.

SHSU's distance learners use the Blackboard learning management system to access the program curriculum and participate in class. Depending on the minors chosen and online availability, students complete coursework in classes such as Sociology of Sport, Communication and Pop Culture, Psychology of Adjustment, and Successful Workplace Relations.

Minnesota's Metropolitan State University (MSU) is a public Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies that gives students primary authority and responsibility for their education by allowing them to design their own faculty-approved course of study. Students need 120 credits to graduate, which generally takes four years of full-time study. MSU is competitive, with a 67% acceptance rate, and 58% of students graduate on average.

MSU delivers its online programming via Brightspace. While electives will vary based on a student's course of study, all students may choose interdisciplinary classes and workshops, such as Principles of Civic Engagement; Perspectives of Peace; Mapping Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and Cinema, Self, and Other.

The University of Houston - Downtown (UHD) is a public Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in five diverse concentrations: (1) Cultural Studies, (2) Critical Race Studies, (3) Latino Studies, (4) Medical Humanities, and (5) Religious Studies. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, and it takes full-time students approximately four years. An online Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies is also available. UHD has a 95% acceptance and a 45% graduation rate.

UHD's online program delivery is completed through Canvas. Depending on the concentration and online availability, distance learners in the humanities may choose from courses such as World Literature and Culture, Politics of the Middle East, Latin American History, The New Testament, and Ecology & Environmental Biology. ​

The University of Houston - Downtown (UHD) is a public Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in five diverse concentrations: (1) Cultural Studies, (2) Critical Race Studies, (3) Latino Studies, (4) Medical Humanities, and (5) Religious Studies. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, and it takes full-time students approximately four years. An online Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies is also available. UHD has a 95% acceptance and a 45% graduation rate.

UHD's online program delivery is completed through Canvas. Depending on the concentration and online availability, distance learners in the humanities may choose from courses such as World Literature and Culture, Politics of the Middle East, Latin American History, The New Testament, and Ecology & Environmental Biology. ​

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIU Carbondale) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in University Studies. The primary difference is that the Bachelor of Arts requires one full year of a college-level foreign language. Students must complete 120 credits to graduate, which typically takes four years of full-time enrollment. SIU Carbondale has a 55% graduation rate and a 95% acceptance rate.

SIU Carbondale utilizes Brightspace for its online curriculum delivery. There are minimal specific program requirements in the online university studies program other than what's required in other bachelor's programs. Therefore, depending on online availability, distance learners can choose from numerous courses, including The Human Experience, Beginning American Sign Language, Mass Media Culture and American Studies, Introduction to Criminological Theory, and Mass Communications in a Diverse Society.

Texas A&M University - Central Texas (TAMUCT) is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies to help students develop the creative and critical thinking skills needed in today's workplace. There are 11 online minors available, including Computer Information Systems, Sociology, Human Resource Management, and Psychology. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, generally taking four years of full-time study. TAMUCT accepts 96% of applicants, and 58% of students graduate.

TAMUCT delivers its online coursework and instruction to distance learners via Canvas. Depending on the minors chosen, students enrolled in the online liberal studies program take courses such as Computer Technology and Impact, Recruitment and Selection of Human Resources, Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Cultural Anthropology.

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a public Hispanic-serving institution offering an online Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies through UTEP Connect Extended University. Students choose three concentrations from areas such as Humanities, Communication, Chicano Studies, and Social Sciences. This online degree program is for students with at least 60 eligible transfer credits. Graduating requires 120 credits, taking some full-time students two years to complete. UTEP's open admission policy allows it to accept all applicants, and 48% of students graduate with degrees.

UTEP uses Canvas for online program delivery. Depending on the concentration and course availability, multidisciplinary studies distance learners take classes such as Mexican American History, Sociolinguistics, Human Anatomy, Global Business Environment, and Communication Law and Society.

The University of Houston - Victoria (UHV) in Southern Texas is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in University Studies that allows students to transfer up to 90 credits and helps develop problem-solving, communication, research, and analysis skills. Students complete 120 credits total to graduate throughout accelerated eight-week courses. Full-time students transferring the maximum amount of credits may be able to finish in under two years. UHV is competitive, accepting only a little over half of applicants, and 51% of students graduate.

UHV delivers its online programming via Blackboard. Depending on the area of focus, online university studies students enroll in courses such as Intercultural Communication, World Politics, Digital Forensics, and Human Growth and Development.

Ohio's University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, which has a minimum of 61 eligible transfer credits. They may take courses in fields such as Criminal Justice, Humanities, Communication, and Organizational Leadership. Graduating requires completing a total of 120 credits, and it can take full-time students approximately two years. Similarly, an online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies is also available. UC has an 85% acceptance and a 68% graduation rate.

UC's distance learners access Canvas to participate in online classes. Depending on interests and course availability, liberal arts distance learners choose from courses such as Communication in Problem-Solving Groups, The Practice of Leadership, Criminal Justice in Films, and Children and the Law.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies, allowing students to choose three focus areas. There are nine areas to choose from, from Business and Digitial Communication to Health and Sociology. Students must complete 120 credits, taking some full-time students with ample transfer credits as little as a year. UTSA accepts 91% of applicants, and 52% of students graduate with degrees.

UTSA uses Canvas for online program delivery. Depending on focus areas, students in the online multidisciplinary studies program take courses such as Principles of Marketing, Persuasion, Statistical Analysis for Data Science, Survey of Human Nutrition, and Sociology of Gender.

Rogers State University (RSU) is a public, Native American Non-Tribal institution in Oklahoma offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts in two pathways: (1) English and (2) Global Humanities. Online students may also select a minor, such as Creative Writing or Philosophy, within each pathway. Graduating requires completing 120 credits and typically takes full-time students four years. RSU has an open admission policy, which means that it accepts 100% of applicants. Meanwhile, only 24% of students graduate with degrees — less than half of the average across other universities.

RSU's distance learners access Blackboard to engage in class and complete assignments. Depending on the pathway, online liberal arts students take courses such as Literary Traditions, Topics in Advanced Composition, Theatre Traditions, Advanced Ethics, and International Cinema. To graduate, students must also complete at least three credit hours in a world language.

New England's Granite State College (GSC) is a public institution in New Hampshire offering an online Bachelor of Science in Individualized Studies with specialized study options in English or History. Students complete 120 credits to graduate with 32 in the major, and it usually takes full-time students four years unless transferring credits. GSC considers prior work, college, volunteer-based learning, and military experience, which may apply toward college credit, saving time and money. GSC's open admission policy means that it accepts all applicants, and 42% of students go on to earn degrees.

GSC delivers online coursework and instruction via Canvas. Depending on the study option and class availability, individualized study distance learners complete courses such as Special Topics in Creative Writing, Explorations in Historical Perspectives, Foreign Cultures, and Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction.

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is a public institution in Nacogdoches, Texas, offering an online Bachelor of Science in General Studies composed of three minors that are logically, academically, and professionally integrated. Minors include business, communication, and psychology, among others. Graduating requires completing 120 credits and generally takes four years of full-time study. SFA has an 83% enrollment and a 54% graduation rate.

SFA distance learners use Brightspace to participate in online classes. Depending on the minor and course availability, online general studies undergraduate students may take courses such as Organizational Communication, Media Culture and Identity, Literary Genres, Consumer Health, and Political Geography. Capstone courses are also required to graduate.

The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a diverse, Hispanic-serving public institution offering an online Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies. Students can combine three minors from fields such as Political Science, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, and History. Students must complete 120 credits in order to graduate, taking about two years of full-time attendance. UTRGV accepts 94% of applicants, and 58% of students graduate.

UTRGV delivers its remote programming through Blackboard to its distance learners. Depending on their minor online course availability, students at UTRGV engage in classes such as Introduction to Globalization, World History, Human Evolution, Communication Law and Ethics, and Police Systems and Practices.

Known for its extensive online curriculum, Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in an accelerated 7.5-week course format. Students select two from more than 30 concentration options, including Sustainability, Integrative Health, Project Management, and Applied Business Data Analytics. Students complete 120 credits to graduate, and some full-time students may be able to finish in under four years. Additionally, an online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is available. ASU has a 70% acceptance and a 47% graduation rate.

ASU distance learners gain access to their classes via Canvas. Depending on the concentration, those enrolled in the online liberal studies program participate in courses such as Sustainable Cities, Foundations of Integrative Health, Project Schedule Management, and Business Data Mining.

Liberty University (LU) is a private, Evangelical Christian institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies that allows students to choose two or three areas of study in order to maximize any previously earned credits. These areas include Accounting, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, and Computational Sciences — to name a few. Students can transfer up to 90 eligible credits. Graduating requires completing 120 credits and may take some full-time students less than four years if transferring credits. LU is competitive and accepts 50% of applicants, and 34% of its students graduate with degrees.

LU's distance learners in the online interdisciplinary studies program access Canvas to participate in class. Depending on their areas of study, they take courses such as Fraud Examination, Introduction to Ethics, Foundational Principles of Crisis Response, and Critical Issues in Ministry Leadership. Students must also complete several credits in religion and theology coursework as part of LU's core requirements.

It's important to note LU is not an LGBT-friendly institution. According to its 2022-2023 Student Code, "statements and behaviors that are associated with LGBT lifestyle are prohibited."

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies to help students deepen their understanding of complex social, cultural, and organizational issues they may face in leadership roles. Four themes are available across courses: (1) Communication Skills, (2) Critical Analysis, (3) Research Methods/Projects, and (4) Theory/Application. Penn State students complete 120 credits, typically taking four years of full-time study. They can also earn an Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies and an undergraduate Organizational Communication certificate while completing this online bachelor's degree program. Penn State has a 92% acceptance rate, and 70% of its students graduate.

Penn State uses Canvas to deliver remote coursework and instruction. Students studying multidisciplinary studies online may take courses such as Racial and Ethnic Inequality in America, Understanding Humans, The Artistic Universe, Communication Ethics, and Introduction to Leadership.

Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in General Studies designed for transfer students with at least 75 credits of prior accredited learning experience. Students work with an advisor to choose the remaining courses needed to graduate with 120 credits. Full-time students can generally finish in two years or less, depending on transfer credits. ISU has a 94% acceptance and a 45% graduation rate.

ISU delivers its online programming via Canvas. While the courses students choose to complete in the online general studies program are unique to their interests and goals, there are dozens of options. For example, distance learners may take courses such as African American Cultural Traditions, Environmental Justice, Marriage and Family, Topics in Linguistics, and Literature and Life.

West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is a Hispanic-serving public institution in the suburbs of Amarillo offering an online Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) with specializations such as education, business, and agriculture. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, typically taking four years of full-time attendance. While all coursework is completed online, it's unclear if campus visits are needed throughout the term. It's also important to note that not all upper-division courses are available online.

WTAMU uses Canvas for online coursework and instruction delivery. Depending on the specialization and course availability, online BGS distance learners may take courses such as Intercultural Communication, Business Ethics and Society, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Art History, and Masterpieces of World Literature.