Find Your Perfect School
First, let us get this longstanding confusion out of the way: the Liberal Arts and Humanities are not the same. The Humanities is a subset of the Liberal Arts, along with:
- Anthropology,
- Social Science,
- Philosophy,
- History,
- Political Science,
- English, and all other “B.A.” degrees (with a few “B.S.” degree programs as well), which we will discuss further below.
Quick Summarization
The field of Liberal Arts and the Humanities is one of the most underrated and misunderstood academic fields today. It has always carried this misconception as the college degree for the elite, a decadent academic pursuit for those with money to burn and time to spare. Online students find that a distance learning format is convenient for their busy lifestyles. An online program in liberal arts is a very versatile degree.
Is a Liberal Arts degree worth it?
As the world becomes more hinged on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM, or the “hard sciences” as some may call it), many folks, including influential personalities and beloved TV characters, think of the Liberal Arts and the Humanities degree programs as a useless and worthless college degree.
But as a 2019 BBC article points out, majoring in the Liberal Arts has real lifelong benefits in the workforce, and hiring employees with such academic programs on their resume can complement the highly specialized hard skills that technical resources possess.
These so-called “useless” Liberal Arts degrees impart valuable soft skills, like the ability to communicate verbally or in writing and understand and anticipate human behavior, which is important in developing machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies.
But what many experts consider the most important benefit of a Liberal Arts degree, especially in a globally interconnected economy, is the ability to develop empathy and critical thinking skills.
Reading between the lines and relying on human instincts are paramount qualities that many STEM graduates take for granted because of their technical hyper-specialization but are very much developed in Liberal Arts and Humanities graduates. Most Liberal Arts degrees can be completed online or through a hybrid learning format.
The Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts Degree and its Real-Life Benefits
A typical Liberal Arts degree and Humanities degree curriculum is composed of courses such as linguistics or foreign languages, writing, art and design, social science, history, and many others. Graduates of a Liberal Arts degree program are well-rounded and are armed with a balanced set of skills.
In terms of industries, graduates from a Liberal Arts degree program can work in offices, academe, research, private firms, think tanks, public office, mass media, local or international for-profit or non-profit organizations, and even in highly technical industries like information technology, and biomedicine, or engineering.
After all, whether technological or not, every firm will always have a Human Resources department, and Liberal Arts degree graduates are well-equipped to fill roles within it.
Liberal Arts graduates are also highly capable managers. Managerial and leadership roles require the ability to engage with subordinates through effective communication backed by sound foresight. These are skills honed by attending courses in literature, communications, philosophy, history, and social science – all under the realm of the Liberal Arts degree.
Methodology
There are specialized degrees within the Liberal Arts discipline as well. So, whether you are into writing, mass media, historical analysis, politics, or any of the LIBERAL ARTS SPECIALIZATIONS below, then read on.
We also handpicked the best three schools for each specialized Liberal Arts program, making sure their program offerings are:
- Properly accredited for a Liberal Studies program,
- Have a well-rounded curriculum in a Liberal Arts degree program while focusing on important and relevant skills, as well as experiential learning,
- Are reasonably priced Liberal Arts degree programs, offering sufficient financial aid options,
- And, best of all, these degree programs can be taken as an online education or through a hybrid learning format.
Best Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Careers
ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology is a broad discipline that utilizes a scientific approach to studying human history and behavior from a biological, linguistic, archaeological, and cultural point of view.
Unlike related fields such as Humanities, History, or Social Science, all of which analyze human behavior through cultural and social constructs, Anthropology gathers information through human remains, fossils, ancient civilizations, migration patterns, and ancient works and architecture like the Hieroglyphics of Egypt or the Machu Pachu in Peru.
Schools confer the program either as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree, depending on the student’s chosen track. Some career options include:
- forensic anthropology,
- archaeology,
- conservationism,
- cultural brokerage (auctioneering),
- museum curation,
- health and natural science research,
- academe,
- and various roles in not-for-profits and international organizations like UNESCO.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE ANTHROPOLOGY DEGREE
Colorado State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
With a requirement of 120-course credits for graduation, Colorado State University’s (CSU) Anthropology program allows students to tailor their curricula based on their preferences as long as they meet the minimum credit units per area of study.
Though not required for graduation, CSU also offers students an additional option to take in-person learning experiences through its summer field immersions. These immersions are conducted by CSU’s Paleontology Field School in neighboring Wyoming, the Archaeology Field School in Colorado, and the Ethnographic Field School in South Dakota.
Students are encouraged to explore the rich geography, cultural, and archaeological landscapes in these areas to develop meaningful real-life experiences combined with their online learnings and eventually apply them to their careers.
Oregon State University
Online Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science – Anthropology
At 180 required credit units, Oregon State University’s (OSU) B.A. or B.S. in Anthropology offering is one of the most rigorous among its contemporaries in online education. But think of this as an accelerated path. With OSU’s quarter-term calendar, each course lasts for just a little over two months. With due diligence and perseverance, the program can be completed in two years.
Students choose either a B.A. or a B.S. track. For the B.A. track, students are expected to take foreign language courses and must attain a grade of at least C-. For the B.S. track, students must take courses in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics. Whatever track the students choose, they should complete a minimum of 15 and 24 credits.
Students then choose to specialize in any of these four concentrations: Archaeology (33 units), Biocultural (30 units), Cultural or Linguistic (27 units), and General Anthropology (21 units). The Archaeology track is the most intensive of the four, as it also requires a 12-unit site immersion experience either with the OSU Archaeological Field School or the OSU Anthropological Ethnographic Field School.
Washington State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Washington State University’s (WSU) online education B.A. in Anthropology program requires 120 credit units for graduation and is hailed as one of the best online programs for 2021.
Students are required to take a course in a foreign language. For the Anthropology core requirement, 34 units are required, 16 of which will be coming from the required courses, including topics on global culture, archaeology, biological anthropology, and general anthropology. The remaining 18 units can be completed through anthropology electives.
Students can choose one course under the following learning areas: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. To round up the elective requirements, students can choose two courses from the general course catalog with the approval of the department head.
The program has three start dates per academic year – fall, spring, and summer.
COMMUNICATIONS
Having a degree in communications is no longer confined to landing a job in news and print alone. With the advent of new media or digital media, a B.A. or B.S. degree in Communications helps position graduates to carve careers in:
- mass media and journalism,
- digital marketing and advertising,
- public relations,
- and market research.
The dynamic roles include:
- production assistants or researchers,
- editors (print or video),
- content writers,
- academic writers,
- technical writers,
- brand or product managers,
- market analysts,
- copywriters,
- campaign or political strategists,
- trainers,
- public speakers,
- PR managers,
- and digital strategists.
THE TWO BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE
Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Communications
Another trademark school in the online learning game, Franklin University, offers an online B.S. in Communications program completed in four years or less. Transfer students can accelerate their studies through a maximum of 94 credits allowed for transfer students.
The program requires 124 credit units for graduation. The great thing about Franklin’s required GE core is that it includes courses on working spreadsheets, video editing, business writing, and speech communication, which all impart practical professional skills for communications students.
The major core subjects include three noteworthy courses relevant to today’s modern media: Digital Design, Video Production, and Digital Photography. Students who are into digital arts and reporting will enjoy and excel at these courses.
As for electives, students can focus on digital marketing, data science and analytics, data visualization, public relations communications, media strategy, and many others. Any of these specialization tracks will complement the traditional required core courses.
Franklin has multiple start dates throughout the academic calendar. Most courses run anywhere from six to twelve weeks.
Loyola University – New Orleans
Online Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Through its School of Communication and Design, Loyola University New Orleans offers an online B.A. program in Mass Communication with a requirement of 120 credit units to graduate. For transfer students, Loyola allows up to 90 units to be accepted for transfer.
The curriculum can also be personalized to a high degree. With the major courses, students have greater freedom to curate their tracks according to their preferred specialization. The available specializations are Visual Communication, Advertising or Public Relations, and Journalism.
Students who choose the visual communication track will learn photography, videography, print, and digital layout and design, and how to apply these to digital media practices and strategies. Advertising and public relations students will learn the discipline basics, including media planning and buying, media strategy, research, and analytics.
Courses for journalism students are straightforward. But similar to visual communication students, they will also learn photography and videography, which are additional practical skills that will complement any journalism student’s writing and reporting skills. They can write, create, edit, and showcase their documentaries or reports with these skills.
The Accrediting Council on Education accredits Loyola University’s School of Communications and Design in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
ENGLISH
A degree in English is a gateway to a wide variety of roles in many industries. Learning about literature and English composition helps develop one’s sense of critical thinking. It also teaches valuable and highly marketable soft skills such as:
- persuasion,
- writing for various kinds of audiences or purposes (business, creative, technical, etc.),
- speaking for various functions (interviews, speeches, event hosting, etc.),
- collaboration,
- and office productivity among others.
Some career options include:
- professional writing or authorship,
- technical writing,
- business writing,
- corporate communications,
- public relations,
- campaign writing,
- advertising or copywriting,
- marketing,
- product or brand management,
- literary agenting,
- editor,
- journalist,
- medical writer,
- news correspondent,
- research,
- document proofing,
- digital marketing,
- web content writing,
- and similar others.
Most online English programs can be completed in four years or less.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE ENGLISH DEGREE
University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Online Bachelor of Arts in English
Students enrolled in UMass Lowell’s online education undergraduate English program must take 40 courses, equivalent to 120 course credits. The program’s curriculum’s great thing is the in-depth focus on American, British, and modern literature. It also requires students to take courses on foreign languages, history, and culture, which helps students become more holistic with a global perspective rooted in literature and the humanities.
The required courses include the classics – Shakespearean literature, the works of Chaucer, dissecting literature of different genres, English composition, and others. It also includes a timely course on English Studies in a Digital Environment, which analyzes the entire discipline and its relevance in today’s hyper-digitalized times.
As for the electives, there are more than 50 courses to choose from, which represent various genres of literary works, film, media, performance art, and different writing styles, including a journalism course.
Indiana University East
Online Bachelor of Arts – English, Technical and Professional Writing
This English undergraduate program from Indiana University (IU) East in Richmond focuses on technical and business or professional writing. Its curriculum includes required courses on professional writing, technical writing, advanced writing, digital writing, grammar and proofing, inquiry, and critical methodologies in composition.
IU also offers first-time online education students the opportunity to “test drive” or experience a trial run of its online courses. Seven courses are available for the “test drive” experience and can be counted towards the degree, should the student continue at IU East Online.
For students of the B.A. in English program, test drive courses on World Languages, Social Work, Health and Life Sciences, and Mathematics may count towards degree completion since the program requires students to complete general education courses as part of its curriculum.
Marshall University
Online Bachelor of Arts in English
Marshall University’s (MU) online B.A. in English program also requires 120 credit units for graduation, similar to other universities. The major courses include composition, language structure, critical theory, textual analysis, and popular literature, which is a good course to engage younger college students who are more exposed to and familiar with contemporary authors like J.K. Rowling, George R.R. Martin, and many others.
The curriculum is structured where only eight units are allotted for electives. Although this may seem restrictive, it encourages students to strategize their choice of electives well. Many courses can be taken to fulfill multiple requirements.
For example, a writing or composition course can be counted towards the GE and major requirements, thus preserving the eight-unit allotment for the electives. This gives students the liberty to minor in a course that they are interested in next to English.
Students of the online education program can also join MU’s Writing Center. This is a free service offered to both on-campus and online students (regardless of major) who need help in polishing their writing skills. For online students, the mode of delivery is asynchronous via email format.
GENERAL STUDIES
A degree in General Studies (GS) is one of the most underrated programs in college. Yet, it is one of the few college programs that offer maximum flexibility in course choices. A GS degree can arm a graduate with sufficient skills to break into any industry if done strategically.
This is perfect for incoming first-year students who have no clue yet what to major or specialize in. For these students, the answer to that question usually pops up when they have had enough college experience and start to develop an interest in a specific learning area or discipline.
Generality, in today’s job market, translates to versatility, flexibility, and adaptability. The skills one gains from a GS program are transferable and can be applied to different job roles across various industries.
Promising industry roles for GS graduates include:
- corporate communications,
- assistantship,
- office work,
- research,
- content writing (news, business, technical or academic) or journalism,
- human resources,
- recruiter,
- academe,
- liaising,
and other roles depending on the course concentration they took under the program. Most GS programs can be completed in four years or less, especially if transfer credits can be credited.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE GENERAL STUDIES DEGREE
University of North Dakota
Online Bachelor of General Studies
The University of North Dakota (UND) offers the online Bachelor of General Studies degree through its self-paced online delivery format. The courses are available anytime and delivered asynchronously, with multiple start dates throughout the academic calendar.
The program requires 120 credit units. There are six specialization tracks to choose from: natural science, specifically biology, communication, psychology, media and culture, world film and literature studies, and world anthropology.
Aside from these, UND requires all students to fulfill general education requirements or the Essential Studies requirements. Students are advised to confide in an advisor in curating the curriculum that works for them and their preferred learning areas.
Ashworth College
Online Bachelor of General Studies
Ashworth College’s BGS program is delivered fully online and requires 120 course credits for graduation. The great thing about its curriculum is that more than half is allotted for electives. The electives are diverse and grouped per discipline, making it more convenient for students to personalize their curricula.
Transfer students can enjoy generous transfer policies at Ashworth. Credits earned by previously attending another college or university, earning an Associate’s Degree, or prior learning, whether at work or through industry training and certificates, are accepted for evaluation.
Ashworth College is a proud participant of the NC-SARA and an authorized post-secondary educational institution by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Additionally, it is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, a recognized accrediting body by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
University of Arizona
Online Bachelor of General Studies
University of Arizona (UA) offers an online BGS program with six different specialization tracks to choose from. Students can choose to focus on multimedia arts, business, international affairs, sports science, social science, or science and technology.
The program requires 120 credit units for graduation. If you have already completed an associate’s program, this guarantees not only admission but a reduction of the required credits for graduation by as much as 50% to 60%.
The university also has attractive transfer policies for credits earned at an Arizona community college, a four-year school in either Arizona or California or elsewhere (different policies apply for each scenario). There are other ways of earning transfer credits at UA, such as military service or completing the Arizona General Education Curriculum with a 2.5 GPA.
GEOGRAPHY
The study of geography goes beyond learning the continents, countries, and capital and the bodies of land and water surrounding each. That is the elementary approach. The advanced approach to geography relates to:
- human culture,
- sustenance,
- development,
- and evolution of language, governance, and politics in a specific:
- locale or country,
- public utility systems such as:
- transportation,
- and commerce.
A Bachelor’s degree in Geography can open the doors to a career in government or public office, with roles under:
- demography,
- culture and heritage preservation,
- urban planning,
- homeland security,
- agriculture,
- energy,
- transportation planning,
- environment and sustainability,
- climate change research, among others.
Private research is also a way to go. Academe is also an option and consultancy for private firms like:
- construction,
- architecture,
- engineering,
- or real estate firms.
Most online Geography programs can be completed within four years maximum. This can be shortened with accelerated or self-paced programs or with transfer credits.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE GEOGRAPHY DEGREE
Kennesaw State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Geography
Kennesaw State University in Georgia offers an online B.A. in Geography program with a required 120 credit units for graduation. The curriculum allows more than 50 credit units for electives, with 14 allotted for university electives, 18 units for related courses, and 21 units to fulfill the major core requirements.
Some of the interesting courses in the curriculum include urban geography, geospatial techniques, cartography, information systems, and remote sensing. Students must require two foreign language and culture courses, good preparation for the international study option.
Florida International University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Geography
Florida International University (FIU) takes a different approach to geography. Unlike the traditional approach of offering geography courses and humanities courses separately, FIU offers courses that are already integrative from the get-go. The program’s core courses present the fundamentals of geography from the lens of globalization, the changes it brought, and its effect on various cultural paradigms. Examples of these courses are Global Perspectives, World Ethnographies, Geography of Global Change, and Societies.
The program requires 120 units for graduation with three start dates – fall, spring, and summer. An outstanding feature of the program is its version of the buddy system, where every student is assigned to a class advisor, or what FIU calls a “success coach.”
Liberty University
Online Bachelor of Science in Geography
Liberty University’s (LU) online Geography program is as straightforward as it can be. Its curriculum is divided into three sets of requirements: the Foundational Topics, Majors, and Electives.
The foundational courses require students to take Liberal Arts staples like natural science, statistics, economics, and governance. The major courses focus on the various facets of geography that are relevant to today’s times. Aside from geography fundamentals, the major core offers courses on geographic information systems and technologies, special topics, and even courses on oceanography and meteorology.
The program requires 120 credit units for completion and can be completed in 3.5 years or less. LU’s online courses typically run for only eight weeks and are delivered asynchronously. Liberty also accepts transfer credits earned from another school and credits earned through life experience. Transfer students can reduce their course load by up to 75%.
HISTORY
A degree in History arms its graduates with a heightened ability to think and read between the lines critically. These scholars can reflect on the past and use this information to understand the present and forecast the future. They have impeccable hindsight and foresight and are valuable assets to any workplace.
History graduates may carve a career in:
- museums,
- the academe and government,
- public service and policy,
- political campaigns,
- research,
- foreign service,
- consultancy,
- journalism,
- legal work,
- public relations,
- assistantship,
- and law enforcement.
Keep in mind that History graduates are keen on historical analysis and are great communicators, both verbally and in writing. These are transferrable soft skills that are applicable in various industries.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE HISTORY DEGREE
Nicholls State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in History
Nicholls State University (NSU) in Louisiana offers an online Bachelor’s program in History with 120 required credit units for graduation. It requires students to complete 36 credit units of history courses. Aside from the historic core, students must also complete computer courses, GE courses, university courses, and oral communication courses to round up the 120-unit requirement.
Courses on foreign languages are part of the oral communication core, and students are strongly encouraged to take at least two courses if they wish to pursue advanced degrees in History or other related degree programs. Students must also declare a minor.
University of Idaho
Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in History
The University of Idaho (UI) offers two tracks to its online History program – a B.A. track and a B.S. track. The difference lies in the minor track and the History electives the student chooses. The program requires 120 credit units for graduation.
The curriculum’s history courses cover extensive periods, from the ancient civilizations to the post-war era, the baby boomers, and the dawn of the space race in the ‘60s. UI also assists students in landing ace internships with US legislators, government agencies like the State Department, museums, renowned libraries, and historical societies and organizations.
An option for international study is also available to all UI students.
Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor of Arts in History
Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Arizona veers away from the typical spoon-feeding approach to the program. It offers courses that tackle important figures, timelines, themes, and events in human history that prompt students to reflect on and integrate the past, present, and future.
The curriculum includes core history courses on Women in History, U.S. History post-World War II, and Borderland History, focusing on Native Americans, the so-called “Wild, Wild, West,” and American-Latino history.
It also tackles the past European, Asian, and Mediterranean histories that helped shape the present, particularly present international relations. Two Christian courses are also part of the required courses as a nod to GCU’s Christian roots.
The total requirement for program completion is 120 credit units. The course is delivered in person, fully online, and in the evenings, which is great for working adults.
HUMAN and FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
In the 2021 issue of the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, social workers and community workers are forecasted to experience exponential job growth for the next ten years. If you are interested in a career that helps communities, families, and individuals guide them in all aspects of their needs throughout their lifespan, then a degree in Human and Family Development (or it may come in slightly variated terms) could be a good fit.
HFD programs (or HFDS, where the ‘S’ stands for ‘Studies’) are usually conferred as a Bachelor of Arts degree, although some schools offer a Bachelor of Science track, with an added focus on quantitative reasoning in-depth research work. Most HFDS programs offer at least two specialization tracks. In some programs, there are separate tracks for human development and family service.
Other programs further zone in, creating a separate track for:
- child development,
- early childhood development,
- family development,
- and community development.
Regardless of the track and the mode of delivery (classroom or online), most, if not all, HFDS programs will require a practicum to culminate the degree.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE HUMAN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT DEGREE
Utah State University
Online Bachelor of Arts Human Development and Family Studies
Utah State University (USU) offers the online HDFS program through two tracks or specializations: the Family and Community Service track and the Human Development Lifespan track.
For the Family and Community Service track, courses include addiction, intervention, gerontology (the multidisciplinary study of aging, different from geriatrics), and social conventions.
For the Human Development Lifespan track, courses are subdivided to separately tackle the different stages of human development – from infancy to early childhood or the preschool years, puberty and adolescence, and adulthood to the senior years. Gerontology can be taken as an undergraduate certificate.
The HDFS program at USU requires 120 credit units for graduation. The program takes up to four years, applicable to transfer students with accepted outside credentials.
University of Houston
Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) – Human Development and Family Studies
The University of Houston offers two tracks for the online HDFS degree – a B.A. track, with an added focus on foreign languages, and a B.S. track, focusing on mathematics and quantitative reasoning. The degree requires 120 credit units for completion.
This online undergraduate program is taking a more holistic approach to this broad discipline. Courses like Parent-Child Relationships, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Early Childhood Development, Contemporary Families, Human Development and Interventions, and Individuals with Disabilities are all part of the required core.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science
Indiana University in Pennsylvania offers an online B.S. in HDFS program that offers three specialization tracks:
- The Family Specialist track, with an added focus on education and speaking techniques for parents and adults,
- The Infant/Toddler Mental Health Track, with added focus on mental disabilities and intervention, and,
- The Child Life track, with similar courses as the infant/toddler track, is modified to suit a child to young adult approach better. It also educates students on early intervention for disabilities occurring during these early years of child development.
IUP also gives HDFS students the opportunity for a real-life immersion within the on-campus preschool or affiliated agencies or organizations for a more communal experience. The program has a requirement of 120 credit units for graduation.
JOURNALISM
What separates a Journalism degree from a Communications degree is that Journalism programs emphasize courses like:
- ethics,
- research,
- fact-checking,
- history,
- and news writing and reporting.
While the courses between these two programs often overlap, journalism has a more specific and factual approach to written works.
Most journalism programs also attempt to integrate traditional journalism techniques and ethics into new platforms where one’s work can be published – print or virtual.
Journalism graduates can always find themselves starting within news and media companies, typically as:
- a researcher,
- an assistant,
- or part of the production crew.
As they move up, the next step is usually a segment or news producer or a field correspondent scouting and creating their own stories or reports.
They can also crossover into the corporate world and work in:
- advertising,
- communications strategy,
- public relations,
- marketing,
- or research.
They can also work (or run) for public office. They can also do freelance work as:
- news photographers,
- content writers,
- news writers,
- or even news or video editors.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE JOURNALISM DEGREE
Regent University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies – Journalism
Regent University offers this Communication Studies program with a concentration in Journalism.
It teaches students the fundamentals of communication such as composition and speaking while equipping them with important journalism skills such as editing, proofreading, exercising ethics, language control, writing a compelling yet factual and engaging report, and reporting.
Southern Illinois University
Online Bachelor of Science in Journalism
The online B.S. program in Journalism at Southern Illinois University (SIU) offers five specializations that students can focus on. These are advertising, journalism and mass communications, news-editorial, photojournalism, and sports media. Any of these specializations can also be declared as minors. The program requires 120 credit units and can be completed in as little as three years.
SIU Journalism students can take advantage of the various media facilities and workshop groups within the university. These include the WSIU newsroom, the Daily Egyptian student newsroom, the Documenting Student Illinois year-long workshop, and the SIU New Media Center and Equipment Checkout, equipped with more than twenty computer stations that can handle video production and editing, streaming, news creation, and everything else a journalism student will need.
Penn State World Campus
Online Bachelor of Arts – Digital Journalism and Media
Hailed as one of the best online programs last year, Penn State’s online Journalism program greatly focuses on shifting the craft and the industry from traditional print and visual media to virtual and digital reporting. It requires 120 course credits for graduation.
The program features courses on multimedia journalism, telecommunications technologies and management, strategic communications, electronic media, digital media metrics, and internet law, ethics, and policies, to name some. Students are also required to take 12 credits of foreign language courses.
LIBERAL ARTS
A 2021 study conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) reveals that Liberal Arts graduates are highly sought after by hiring managers these days. Their versatility and the transferability of their skills are their biggest assets, compared to the specificity of other graduates, say business, engineering, or architecture grads.
Students in a Liberal Arts program gain a wide range of skills, such as professional writing, research, reasoning, insight and critique, behavioral analysis, and many more. With these, graduates can join the workforce through any industry, and any role would be a great fit.
Even IT firms hire LA graduates because of their strong background in communication and engagement, social science, behavioral science, and psychology. They even make great managers and leaders because of their great hindsight, foresight, collaborative spirit, and empathy.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE
University of New Mexico
Online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
The University of New Mexico offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA) degree to be completed in four years, especially with UNM’s accelerated courses. It requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation, including 51 credit units allotted for major courses.
A GPA of 2.0 must be attained in every major course. Additionally, the program also requires the following for graduation: the maintenance of a 2.0 overall GPA, a graduation essay, and a residency amounting to a minimum of 15 credit units.
The curriculum is highly customizable to suit any student’s preferred learning area. Students are strongly encouraged to seek the help of Liberal Arts and Integrative Studies (LAIS) advisor in choosing the courses.
University of Southern Mississippi
Online Bachelor of Liberal Studies
The University of Southern Mississippi’s bachelor’s program for Liberal Studies is offered online and takes between 2 and 4 years to complete. It requires the completion of 120 course credits, which includes 40 credits for major courses.
The curriculum is divided into several learning areas such as natural science, mathematics, social science, behavioral science, aesthetics, humanities, and communications. The program culminates with a capstone requirement. Students can choose a minimum of 18 course credits worth of electives.
Syracuse University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
The online Liberal Studies program at Syracuse University requires 120 credit units for graduation. It allows students to customize their learning plans, and they also have the option to take the classes fully online (with the option for accelerated pathway or weekend class delivery) or in a hybrid format.
Students learn advanced composition skills, humanities, social science, natural science, mathematical reasoning, and analyzing ethical and social issues, to name a few. Students are also allowed to take electives outside the department, with a maximum of 24 credit units to be completed.
Transfer students may have up to 90 course credits counted towards the degree. CLEP testing is also accepted for professionals with prior learning experience. A maximum of 30 credits may be granted toward the degree.
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
A degree in media communications teaches students to harness the power of electronics and digital communication technologies to communicate and engage various types of audiences. What sets it apart from journalism or a communications degree is that a media communications curriculum focuses on new media, technologies, and strategies used to publish stories or broadcast news.
It is also a holistic program that teaches students basic industry skills such as composition, research, visual and performing arts, speech communication, video production, editing, visual storytelling, and photography.
These skills can be used in various related fields such as advertising, marketing, copywriting, photojournalism, investigative journalism, digital reporting, corporate communications, campaign strategies, and many others.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DEGREE
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Arts – Mass Communication and Media Studies
When it comes to online degrees, Arizona State University is one of the leaders in this delivery format. The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Media continuously produces highly esteemed Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and writers. The school is a constant recipient of the Hearst Journalism Awards and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for investigative reporting and social issues.
The degree requires 120 credit units for graduation, with an option to fast-track the program to shorten the completion rate to 3 years (from the traditional four years). The curriculum allows for versatility in course choices, with more than half of the required credit units allotted for elective courses (63 units to be exact, or 21 courses).
There are many options in the elective courses catalog, including more than ten courses on digital media and new media. The program rolls out only every spring and fall term.
Full Sail University
Online Bachelor of Science in Media Communications
Full Sail University in Florida takes a different approach to its online Media Communications program. It employs a project-based approach to teach students important industry skills. It divides its curriculum into two cores: New Media Tools and Integrated Marketing.
The New Media Tools curriculum features skill-based courses like Storytelling in the Entertainment, Media and Gaming Industries, Media Communication and Technologies, New Media Tools, Advanced Audio and Video, New Media Formats, Graphic Design, and Web Design and Editing, to name some.
The GE courses are carefully selected to complement the skill-based courses, such as Psychology, Composition, Aesthetics, Mathematics, and Physical Science.
The Integrated Marketing core teaches students the entrepreneurial side of media communications. It teaches them to navigate the complexities of the digital platform. Some examples of skills to gain under this core are media strategy, entrepreneurship, collaboration, digital marketing, and the ethics and logic behind digital intellectual property.
Lynn University
Online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media
Lynn University in Boca Racon offers an online bachelor’s program in media communications that exposes students to the industry’s emerging technologies and techniques. Skills gained from the program can be used to carve careers in mass media, public relations, strategy, advertising, politics, social media marketing, and business or corporate communications. The program is recognized by tech giant Apple for its innovative educational practices.
The program requires the completion of 120 course credits for graduation. It has three start dates within the academic calendar and can be completed in four years or less.
MILITARY STUDIES
A degree in military studies is not only for active members of the military or aspiring servicemen and women. Civilians who are targeting a career in government work, like:
- intelligence or security advisement,
- politics,
- public service,
- law enforcement,
- corporate leadership,
- upper management,
- project management,
- defense contracting,
- investigative work,
and other similar roles can benefit from the sharp and thematic curriculum of any military studies program.
Military strategies and concepts are applicable not just in military or police operations. These concepts can also be applied to civilian work. One can learn a lot from military leaders of the past, motivations for going to war, the implications of war, and so on.
It provides students with a real-life picture of how powerful human motivations can be and how intertwined the world is, with one or a few events creating a global domino effect. Military studies programs can help students develop precise and accurate strategies in the face of crises, whether global, local, or corporate.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE MILITARY STUDIES DEGREE
American Military University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Military History
American Military University (AMU) offers an online bachelor’s program in Military History that requires 120 credit units for graduation. The courses commence every month, with a duration of two to four months each. The program takes four years or less.
Students can choose between two concentrations, American Military History or General Concentration. The former contains courses on the different periods in American history, with emphasis on war periods. The latter focuses entirely on war periods involving both the US and other countries. Besides the Ancient Military History course, Readings in Military Leadership and Readings in Military Philosophy are also offered.
Excelsior College
Online Bachelor of Science in Military Leadership
Excelsior College’s online Military Leadership program focuses on training students on the different leadership styles, especially those that apply to today’s multi-faceted organizations and issues. The program highlights the relevance of DIME – diplomatic, information, military, and economic – in various scenarios, such as in war or military operations, cyber warfare, biological warfare, and other global crises.
Both service members and civilians can benefit from this program. One of the most important skills to be gained is a global perspective on various matters backed by sound military principles. This soft skill can be applied to roles in research, defense contracting, military or leadership strategies, behavioral analysis, and other roles related to leadership, strategy, middle management, and human resource management.
Some of the program’s featured courses include Military Leadership Skills for the 21st Century, Conflict Management, and Human Motivation. The curriculum also requires students to take courses under the following vital learning areas: Military Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Terrorism/Counterterrorism.
The program requires the completion of 120 course credits for graduation. The program takes up to four years. Transfer students can have as many as 117 credits transferred and counted toward the degree.
Eastern Washington University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Military Science
Eastern Washington University’s online Military Science program focuses on developing practical and actual military skills and tactics, some of which involve laboratory exercises. The program requires the completion of 120 course units for graduation.
The program is primarily designed for students aspiring to have a military career, whether on the battleground, administrative, intelligence, or doing advisement work for the government.
About a dozen courses from the required core focus on developing basic military skills like physical fitness, stress management, comprehension of military concepts like navigation, map reading, team building, military science and tactics, technical communication, officership, and leadership.
The curriculum also offers both required and elective courses that can benefit both service members and civilians. These can also be declared as minors or pursued as certificate degrees. The electives are grouped as follows:
- The Application of Leadership
- Cultural Awareness
- U.S. Government and Policy
- Geographic Information Systems (highly recommended, helps with reconnaissance activities)
- Health Services Management
- Journalism
Students can pick up to two courses from the chosen elective group.
Despite the curriculum being heavy on the military side, civilians can still use this degree to break into the related industry of their minor or certificate. And they have the leverage of having basic military training as well.
MINISTRY
A career in ministry is a vocation. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Ministry is a good way to receive holistic education while concentrating on the essential learnings required of an aspiring minister or church pastor. And, it also requires the completion of an undergraduate program to instill important skills such as mastery of:
- the Bible,
- religious counseling,
- leadership,
- organizational management,
- and other ministry works.
Getting a bachelor’s degree in Ministry is the first step to becoming an ordained and licensed minister. After completing the undergraduate degree, most aspiring ministers go on to undertake advanced degrees before ordination.
Other career options for Ministry graduates include:
- Church leaders, pastors or directors,
- public speakers,
- life coaches,
- biblical or catechetical teachers,
- and theological researchers, to name some.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE MINISTRY DEGREE
Campbellsville University
Online Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministries
Campbellsville University offers an online education program in Pastoral Ministries that provides a holistic education for aspiring ministers, church leaders, and reverends. The curriculum features courses that focus on the study of the Old Testament and the New Testament and
The program needs 120 credit units for graduation. Courses run for eight weeks on self-paced learning and are completed in four years. The school also welcomes transfer students.
Grace Christian University
Online Bachelor of Science – Leadership, and Ministry
The online bachelor’s program in Leadership and Ministry from Grace Christian University requires 120-course units for graduation. The curriculum has a pre-set course list, with 21 units allotted for electives.
Some highlight courses include a course on computer literacy and personal financial management (under the general core), a course on the letters of St. Paul, volunteerism, dispensationalism, and perspectives on wealth and poverty in the context of theology and religion.
The program can be completed in 24 months with its accelerated format. Transfer credits and prior learning experiences are accepted.
Warner University
Online Bachelor of Science in Church Ministry
Warner University’s online bachelor’s degree program in Church Ministry is a 120-credit-unit program that can be completed in four years. Its curriculum highlights important skills such as biblical interpretation, Christian missioning, educating evangelism, and servant leadership, which is a great approach to tackling the skill and value of leadership in the context of the congregation or the church.
The program is also offered as an associate’s degree, with 60 required credit units for completion.
MUSIC
The value of an online degree in Music is usually underestimated. While it is true that one can learn many of the hard skills on their own, schools deliver a holistic approach to the discipline.
Music programs expose students to integrating their talent and knowledge in music with other disciplines, such as:
- business,
- marketing,
- advertising,
- education,
- psychology,
- information technology,
- film and mass media, and many more.
The demonstration of skill or audition is an admission requirement for most music programs, although some schools accept students without it. Regardless, it is still highly recommended that students apply to such programs only if they have sufficient musical background, as it may be difficult for novice learners to cope and get by.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE MUSIC DEGREE
Berklee College of Music
Online Bachelor of Arts in Music
(various majors)
The Berklee College of Music is the gold standard for music programs, whether in-campus or as an online bachelor’s degree program. Berklee’s online music programs offer various majors that expose students to all the important aspects of learning, composing, arranging, and marketing music. The curriculum will be dependent on the student’s declared major, which could be:
- Music Production
- Music Business
- Songwriting and Producing Music
- Electronic Music Production and Sound Design
- Interdisciplinary Music Studies
- Guitar Performance
- Songwriting
- Music Composition for Film, TV, and Game
Applicants to the last three majors above are required to submit a demo in the form of a recorded video performance of either a cover or original composition. Original compositions require a notation. Demo submissions must be uploaded online. The link to the upload must be stated in the application form.
All online music programs require the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. All programs require a culminating capstone project.
Fort Hays State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Music
At Fort Hays State University, its online bachelor’s offering for the Music program requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. Its curriculum focuses on the theatrical aspects of music. For example, within the required courses, there are two courses on Group Piano, Aural Skills, and a course on Large Ensemble.
These are essential skills for orchestral performance. Additionally, 12 units are allotted to the Performing Arts core, including theater, film, art, and musical styles.
Students can choose from these four concentrations:
- Composition, with courses like Arranging and Production
- Jazz Studies, with courses like Improvisation and Jazz Ensemble
- Music Theatre, with courses like Acting, Rehearsals, Performance, and Diction
- Performance
Virginia Wesleyan University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Music
Virginia State University (VSU) offers an online bachelor’s degree in Music that focuses on emerging technologies and their application in the field. The required core curriculum features courses on piano skills, different levels of musicianship, music history, and the digital music sub-core.
Under this group, students will take courses on music technology, digital music composition, and recording and learn to use the popular software Ableton Live. The program culminates with a capstone project, which could be a performance or a submission of an original composition.
Students must complete 120 credit units for graduation. The program can be completed within four years.
PHILOSOPHY
A bachelor’s degree in Philosophy teaches students to think critically and creatively, communicate coherently, analyze with depth, and argue logically and soundproofly. It teaches valuable soft skills that apply to any industry and in any role, especially entry-level roles.
Philosophy graduates can carve careers in any of the following fields or industries:
- research,
- authorship,
- political or historical analysis,
- business or organizational management and leadership,
- academe,
- information technology (machine learning and A.I. development),
- ministry work,
- politics,
- strategy,
- human resources,
- behavioral management, and many more.
Additionally, students who are on track to pursue an MBA or a law degree can use a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy to ace the GRE, LSAT, or GMAC exams. The degree has been proven to be a good springboard for getting into these graduate programs.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE PHILOSOPHY DEGREE
Portland State University
Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) – Philosophy
The online undergraduate program at Portland State University is conferred either as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. track focuses on liberal arts courses like performing arts, social science, and foreign languages. The B.S. track focuses more on science (with lab) and mathematics subjects.
Additionally, the B.S. track curriculum allows more units for electives. Some featured courses in the program include logic, ethics in business, environment, biomedicine, philosophy of medicine, law, mind, language, and international human rights.
The program consists of 180 credit units.
American Public University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
The online B.A. in Philosophy program at American Public University exposes students to the pillars of the discipline through the required courses on metaphysics, epistemology, existentialism, and period-based philosophies like ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, and modern and post-modern (post-industrial and scientific revolution) philosophies.
The program also offers four concentrations that students can go into, these are:
- Ethics
- STEM
- Healthcare
- Legal Theory
Thus, graduates of this program can venture into any career field or industry, armed with viable and transferrable soft skills.
The program has a 120-unit requirement for graduation. Students can transfer up to 90 credit units earned elsewhere and have them counted towards the degree.
University of Tennessee – Martin
Online Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
The online undergraduate Philosophy program at the University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) tackles every known philosophy or thought known to man, not just ethics or period-based philosophies.
Courses like God and Happiness, Love and Sexuality, Philosophy and Film, Philosophy and Religion, Phenomenology, and Feminist Studies attempt to present the discipline from a new and non-conventional perspective.
Students might also enjoy courses on symbolic logic (think Dan Brown’s “Angels and Demons”), elementary logic, and UTM’s proprietary two-level course, ‘The Adventure of Ideas,’ which is part of the required core.
To graduate, students should earn at least 120 credit units. The required number of units for each core must also be followed.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
A degree in political science is not just for aspiring public servants, political pundits, or aspiring lawyers. Other career options for political science graduates include:
- policy making,
- lobbying,
- government advisement,
- research,
- academe,
- international affairs or foreign service,
- diplomacy,
- advocacy,
- campaign strategy,
- public relations,
- and speech writing.
They can also break into private or corporate practice. Aside from a law career, they can also work as:
- communication strategists,
- regulatory and compliance liaisons,
- recruiters or human resources,
- and PR specialists, especially for large companies.
Political science programs teach students advanced-level:
- composition,
- debate skills,
- public speaking skills,
- historical,
- philosophical and political theories and analyses,
- local and international laws and policies,
- economics,
- and research skills.
All these skills can be applied to any role in any industry, private or government.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEGREE
University of North Georgia
Online Bachelor of Science in Political Science
The online bachelor’s program in Political Science at the University of North Georgia takes a holistic approach to the discipline. Aside from traditional courses on topics like the American government or comparative politics, the program also has courses on business legalities, global ethics, journalism, and criminal justice.
The program is flexible, with about half of the curriculum devoted to electives, both free and relevant to major courses. Students can tailor-fit their curriculum according to their preferred concentration. There are two concentrations to choose from – the Pre-Law concentration and the American Politics concentration.
Students also can undertake an internship, which could be credited towards the degree (up to nine credits maximum). An International immersion or study is also an option.
The program requires 120 units for graduation.
University of Illinois – Springfield
Online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The online bachelor’s program in Political Science from the University of Illinois Springfield is curated with aspiring law students and policymakers in mind. Some of the curriculum’s law-intensive courses include the American legal system, the American jury, trial advocacy, legislative politics, appellate advocacy, the Supreme Court, the Constitution, civil liberties, and international law.
For students set on a career in public policy, several courses will heighten their interest in the career path. These courses include topics on national security issues, LGBTQ law, politics, education and public policy, military conflict, foreign policy, immigration issues, and terrorism, to name a few.
Students must complete at least 120 units for graduation.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
New Hampshire is home to the first presidential primary that kicks off the election season. Southern New Hampshire University takes advantage of this opportunity to incorporate this unique experience and perspective in its course offerings under the undergraduate Political Science program.
The curriculum of this 120-unit baccalaureate program offers major elective courses on relevant governance topics such as ethics in public administration, municipal operations, public fiscal management, and disaster recovery and response.
Students interested in the optics and workings of political campaigns may take courses on public relations, communications, social media strategy, political parties and donors, and the essentials of running a campaign (fundraising, mobilization, and strategy).
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
A degree in Public Administration is one of the few courses that is aimed at aspiring leaders. The advantage of a public administration program over other degrees of the same nature, say, organizational leadership, is that the skills learned from the former are also transferrable to roles in the private sector.
Conversely, if one is a graduate of the latter and would like to transition to the public sector, they would have to take additional courses or training to be exposed to the intricacies of civil service.
Skills like managing public funds, policy development and execution, fundraising, ethics, and human resources management in the public sector can all be applied to both public sector and corporate roles.
Additionally, graduates of this program can pursue advanced studies with a Master’s in Public Administration degree to further their careers.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION DEGREE
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
The online bachelor’s program in Public Administration at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio has a well-rounded curriculum that imparts students’ essential hard and soft skills. Equipping them to be ready for any entry-level role in any industry, whether public or private, after graduation.
The curriculum’s required core includes courses on the theories of politics, fundamentals of policymaking, spreadsheet use and techniques, accounting fundamentals, economics, management techniques, leadership strategies, behavioral analysis, and civic work and engagement.
Students need to complete 120 credit units for graduation. The program can be completed in as little as 21 months, especially if transfer credits are counted towards the degree (maximum of 90 credit units). Courses run for five weeks at a time.
Granite State College
Online Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
Granite State College in New Hampshire offers a four-year online bachelor’s program for Public Administration. With a requirement of 120 credit units for graduation, the curriculum has been recently updated with additional courses on public sector management such as budgeting, human resources, and policy.
The program also offers courses on data analytics, change management, statistics, the use of spreadsheets, and many other similar courses that can be useful both in public sector management and in corporate work.
Transfer credits and prior learning experience can be counted towards the degree. A maximum of 90 credits may be counted for transfer.
Upper Iowa University
Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration
Unlike the other Public Administration programs in this list, which focus more on hard skills for back-office work, this online offering from Upper Iowa University focuses on developing civil professionals’ disaster and risk management skills.
The program requires 120 credit units for graduation and offers four areas of concentration:
- General, which focuses on fundamental public administration skills like policy-making and office management at the local and state levels
- Policy and Politics, which focuses on the fundamentals of political theory and its application to national-level policy-making and implementation
- Fire Science or Law Enforcement, which focuses on building relevant skills as a first respondent in disaster (specifically, fire) or felonious situations while gaining skills in documentation, drafting, and implementation of policies for disaster, risk, and crime management
- Emergency Management, similar to the preceding concentration, also honed skills in building and implementing policies for natural disasters and risk control and management.
The program is offered as a self-paced delivery through correspondence or asynchronous web learning. Courses run for eight weeks, with multiple start dates within the year.
PUBLIC POLICY
The difference between a degree in Public Policy versus one in Public Administration is the focus. Public policy focuses specifically on the intricacies of policymaking, from research and hypothesis formulation to pilot testing the feasibility of the proposed policy to drafting the final policies itself and analyzing the public perception of it.
In contrast, a degree in public administration takes a broader approach to civic and government work, focusing on policy implementation and other responsibilities.
A typical public policy program curriculum has courses on:
- contemporary issues,
- research methods and statistics,
- mathematics,
- and basic information systems, which are foundational skills for policy research and creation.
Some schools curate their PP curricula to include overlapping courses with PA courses to provide PP students with a balanced and holistic curriculum while maintaining a concentration on public policy.
Some career options for PP graduates include:
- legislation (either as a team member or leader, and either national, state, federal, or local level),
- government work,
- advisement work or consultancy,
- paralegal,
- advocacy,
- lobbying,
- and research.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE PUBLIC POLICY DEGREE
Wilmington University
Online Bachelor of Science in Law, Policy, and Political Science
Wilmington University’s Public Policy program takes a complete approach to the discipline. By adding law and political science elements to the 120-unit curriculum, students are then armed with the theoretical and legal foundations they will need to create sound policies.
The program combines legal and research writing courses, computer management, statistics, and economics to build foundational policy-making skills. Students then must choose one among the concentrations below:
- Legal Studies Concentration. This is suitable for those keen on pursuing a Juris Doctor degree, or a career in paralegal work
- Government and Public Policy Concentration. Students are exposed to various issues and existing policies in various sectors such as healthcare, social welfare, economic, environmental, securities compliance, intellectual property, national security, cybersecurity, and food and drugs, among others.
- Political Science concentration. This combines the most relevant skills from the legal studies track and the public policy track, such as knowledge of the law, creating policies, and other soft skills like analysis, research, composition, and communication (verbal and written). This track is suitable for students who would like the flexibility of working either for the government or the private sector after graduation.
The program is delivered in-classroom, via hybrid format, or purely online. Synchronous and asynchronous learning is available for the online format of the program.
St. Petersburg College
Online Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Administration
St. Petersburg College’s Public Policy and Administration focuses on equipping students with the skills needed for policy creation and implementation. Students must complete at least 120 credit units to graduate. A work experience or immersion is required to culminate the program.
Some featured courses in the program’s curriculum include computer literacy and management information systems, research methods, the U.S. Constitution, communication strategies in emergency and crises, urban and regional planning, negotiation, international law and policy, and many others that will equip any student for any government work in any capacity.
These learnings and skills can be applied to corporate work, with the advantage of having a solid political science and legal background.
St. Catherine University
Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Policy
St. Catherine University in Minnesota offers an online Public Policy bachelor’s program through its College for Women. The faculty helming the program are all women, which provides an interesting and relevant perspective on public policy. The program accepts male and female students.
The curriculum emphasizes exposing students to contemporary issues affecting various sectors like families, communities, and individuals, especially women. With courses like economics, cost-benefit analysis, financial management, and research skills, students will be equipped to study today’s issues and create and propose sound policies based on their research.
A degree in Social Science is as versatile as a degree in political science, humanities, and liberal arts. While the foundation is based on the study of human behavior and relationships, it also imparts skills that could take its graduates to do non-profit research, social work, advocacy, and other evidence-based community work.
In the private sector, Social Science graduates are sought after in human resource management roles and, to some extent, middle management roles because of their broad perspective on human behavior and their ability to engage and rally groups of people for a common cause or goal.
Most Social Science curricula are flexible, allowing students to use electives to curate their path according to their preferences or career goals.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE
California State University – San Bernardino
Online Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
CalState San Bernardino offers a bachelor’s program in Social Sciences that can be taken entirely online. The curriculum is highly customizable, with the option to pursue specialization tracks according to student preferences.
Since social science is a broad discipline, the curriculum offers the following concentrations to strengthen students’ background and skills:
- Political Science, which could benefit students who aspire to go into policy-making roles or advocacy roles,
- Economics, which could benefit students who aspire to go into socio-economic research,
- Geography, which could benefit students who aspire to do community work and cultural research.
Students are required to complete 120 credit units for graduation. Students can accelerate their online learning since courses run for only seven weeks each. The program itself is already on an accelerated path, which can be completed in two years, more or less.
Southeast Missouri State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Social Science
At Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), the Social Science program is flexible and can be taken remotely. This 120-unit program can be completed in as little as six semesters (fall, spring, and summer), with multiple start dates and fast-track online courses.
The curriculum’s required core consists of various courses on statistics to cater to every research objective: elementary statistics, behavioral statistics, business statistics, and social science statistics. Students need only choose one. Students can then choose a concentration from the following specialization areas:
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Anthropology
- History
- Psychology
Students can still choose two major electives from any other areas of specialization that were not chosen as the concentration. For example, if a student chooses to specialize in Sociology, suggested major electives could be under the Anthropology and Psychology group of courses to complement the chosen concentration.
Kansas State University – Global Campus
Online Bachelor in Social Science
At Kansas State University, the online undergraduate Social Science program requires the completion of 120 units. The program is fully delivered online with a highly customizable curriculum.
There are 45 units allotted for electives. This is on top of the chosen concentrations, in which students are allowed to choose four from any of the nine specializations below:
- Sociology
- Mass Communications
- Anthropology
- History
- Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
Suggested combinations could be Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, and Geography for students interested in combining research and applied for social work. Another combination could be Mass Communications, Psychology, Sexuality Studies, and Anthropology for students geared towards corporate work in roles like public relations, human resource management, communications strategy, or corporate leadership.
How does a degree in Social Work differ from a degree in Social Science? The discipline of Social Science encompasses more specific fields like Social Work and Sociology (not the other way around). A degree in Social Work greatly focuses on the practical application of Social Science concepts in community work or working with families or individuals to resolve issues.
A typical Social Work curriculum will involve topics on fundamental skills like field research, understanding human behavior in the context of groups and larger societies, understanding the issues that affect every sector of society, and learning strategies to approach such issues and help the affected individuals cope.
Career options include:
- counseling for substance abuse,
- mental health,
- family and child issues,
- age-targeted counseling,
- treatment facilities counseling and management,
- nursing home counseling and management,
- research,
- charity work,
- and, advocacy.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE
University of Louisville
Online Bachelor of Social Work
The University of Louisville offers an online bachelor’s program in Social Work that requires 120 credit units for graduation. The curriculum allows 23 credit hours for electives, while the rest of the units are spread out in GE courses, the required core, and major courses.
Some of the course highlights of the program include Issues and Policies in Service Delivery, Social Justice Practice (which are both parts of the required core), Substance Use and Disorders, Mental Health, Issues in Addiction Counselling, and Motivation and Change, among others.
The curriculum requires students to take four levels of practicum courses. The last practicum course should be with a treatment facility for substance abuse.
Walden University
Online Bachelor of Social Work
At Walden University, the online program for Social Work requires the completion of 182 quarter credits. The school observes a quarter-based calendar. Thus, the program can be completed at an accelerated pace, especially with the school’s 130-unit maximum credit transfer policy.
Some of the curriculum’s featured courses include Policy and Advocacy, Diversity and Multiculturism, and three levels of Generalist Practice courses, from individuals and families to groups, organizations, and communities. Students must also complete two levels of Field Seminar or practicum under the wings of a licensed social worker.
The program is accredited by the CSWE – Council on Social Work Education.
Wayne State University
Online Bachelor of Social Work
Wayne State University’s online undergraduate Social Work program requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. The program is accredited by the CWSE – Council on Social Work Education. Students can also choose to minor in Social Justice for a more rigorous and socially relevant curriculum.
The Social Work curriculum includes the following courses in its required core: Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice, Youth Delinquency and Juvenile Justice, Effects of Substance Abuse on Physical and Social Functioning, LGBTQ Health and Well-being, Violence Prevention and Intervention, Understanding Suicide and Early Childhood Special Education.
The electives are grouped as follows:
- African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Criminal Justice
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Political Science
- English
Students are required to take internship or field experience courses to culminate in the program and graduate.
SOCIOLOGY
How does a degree in Sociology differ from Social Science and Social Work degrees? A Sociology degree is similar to a Social Work degree. Both are subsets under the Social Science discipline. While Social Work involves the practical application of Social Science, Sociology focuses on research and analysis, backed by the discipline’s theories and foundational concepts.
Unlike in Social Work programs where a practicum or field immersion is always required to culminate the program, with Sociology, since its focus is on research, a capstone research project is required instead.
Some career options for Sociology graduates include community work, organizational work as a researcher, government work as an advisor or consultant for social issues, hospitals and treatment facility managers, counselors or evaluators, and social services.
Aside from research, Sociology graduates can also work as case managers for welfare services, organizational managers or leaders, probation officers, administrators, and counselors.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE SOCIOLOGY DEGREE
Maryville University
Online Bachelor’s in Sociology
Maryville University’s online undergraduate program in Sociology requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. It allows students to choose a specialization track depending on their preference or passion. These specializations are:
- General, allowing students to take courses on a variety of disciplines,
- Criminology, with a focus on law enforcement and the prevention of crime and other felonious acts within communities,
- Social Justice, with a focus on substance abuse issues, mental health issues, and other socioeconomic issues affecting communities, and,
- Social Work is similar to social justice but with a narrower focus on families and individuals.
The program has three start dates. Transfer credits can count towards the degree.
Louisiana State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
At Louisiana State University (LSU), the undergraduate program in sociology can be fully taken online. It requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation.
The curriculum exposes students to a holistic education with a focus on social studies. The general courses range from the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and art to foreign languages like Spanish.
Some featured courses include Psychology, Statistical Analysis, Sociological Research Methods, Sociology of Deviance, Constitutional Law, Criminology, and Political Communication.
National University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Online courses for FIU’s bachelor’s degree in Sociology run for four weeks at National University (NU), each with multiple start dates within the year. Students can fast-track their studies, like NU’s online program in Sociology. The program requires 120 credits, but NU’s accelerated online format can be completed in less than four years.
Some featured courses in the curriculum include Marriage, Sex, and the Family, Organizational Sociology, and Power and Social Change. Transfer credits are accepted and can be counted towards the degree.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A degree in telecommunications is a liberal arts study in nature. Albeit highly technical, such a program is built on liberal arts and humanities courses like natural science, higher-level mathematics, philosophy, composition, economics, and statistics.
As a student progresses through this program, the courses become highly specialized to conform to the demands of the career field.
Although the career prospects involve highly specialized roles, these are highly in demand with promising job growth projections and high-paying annual salaries as reported by the BLS.
With industries rapidly adapting to digitalization and automation of processes and cloud infrastructure, the demand for IT professionals specializing in networks and telecommunications across industries is steadily growing.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEGREE
St. John’s University
Online Bachelor of Science in Networking and Telecommunications
St. John’s University in New York offers a bachelor’s degree in networking and telecommunications via a fully online format. The program requires 120 credit units, and the curriculum is a mixture of liberal arts courses and highly technical and specialized required courses.
These required courses include computer programming, digital forensics, networking essentials like routers, switches, wireless networking and design, security, and Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology.
Students will get to experience St. John’s state-of-the-art workstations equipped with both PC and Mac machines so that students can apply their learnings on these two different operating systems or platforms.
Pace University
Pace University partners with the National Alliance for Communications Technology Education and Learning (NACTEL) to deliver this Professional Technology Studies program. This is a fully online bachelor’s program with a concentration in Telecommunications.
Some of the featured courses in the program include topics on electric circuits, fiber optics technology, emerging broadband and wireless technologies, computer forensics, Python programming, and hardware repair and servicing.
Students are required to culminate the program with a capstone project on any of the following combination of topics:
- Information Security AND UNIX Fundamentals OR Database Management Systems
- Database Management Systems AND PC Applications for Telecommunications OR Systems Development and Project Management
- Systems Development and Project Management AND Introduction to Project Manager
Atlantic International University
Online Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications
Atlantic International University (AIU) in Hawaii offers an online bachelor’s program in Telecommunications for aspiring network and telecommunications engineers, network infrastructure engineers and specialists, communication engineers, and other similar roles.
The program requires 120 credit units for graduation. Some of the program’s featured courses include engineering programming, circuits, systems, signals, signal processing, networks and system modeling, and many others.
Aside from the fundamental courses on telecommunications, students are also required to take courses on calculus, differential equations, probability, random variables, and a course on Control Theory.
Students are required to present a thesis project to culminate the program. They are encouraged to publish their approved and duly defended theses online and in peer-reviewed journals.
THEOLOGY
The difference between a degree in Ministry and Theology is that the former teaches its students how to lead a church or a congregation and all the “managerial” aspects. They also have a course or two in scriptures and theology, but the program’s scope is broader.
On the other hand, theology greatly focuses on the study, analysis, interpretation, and preaching of the scriptures.
A career in ministry as a preacher, a pastor or a Bible Studies teacher are some of the options for Theology graduates. Missionary work, which usually involves many local and even international travel, is also a viable career – or vocation – option.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE THEOLOGY DEGREE
Moody Bible Institute
Online Bachelor of Science in Theological Studies
Expect Moody Bible Institute to be on this list. Moody offers an online undergraduate program in Theology that requires 120 credit units for graduation. The curriculum can be customized to take courses under other disciplines for holistic Christian education.
Featured courses of the program include topics on historical theology, philosophy, contemporary theology, theology during the Reformation, theology in the modern world, and spiritual formation.
Some courses are only offered during a specific term, while some are available asynchronously, so it is best to check this guide for the complete course schedule.
Franciscan University – Steubenville
Franciscan University’s undergraduate bachelor’s degree program in Theology is a fully online program that requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. The curriculum in this bachelor’s degree program is highly customizable, with about half of the curriculum allotted to free electives.
As for the major courses, aside from the Christianity-intensive courses, students are also required to take liberal arts core courses such as literature, philosophy, American founding principles, history, social science, and natural science. A course on foreign language is also required.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Online Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies
The bachelor’s degree program in Theological Studies at Saint Joseph’s College is delivered fully online. The program requires 120 credit units to be completed for graduation. The curriculum can be customized, with 39 electives allotted for free electives and 15 credits allotted for Theological electives.
Among the required core, some of the featured courses include studies on the Sacraments, the New Testament, and the Old Testament. Some of the featured courses in the theological electives list include Judeo-Christian traditions, world religions, a thesis, and a practicum course, among many others.
WRITING
The advantage of a degree in Writing is that it emphasizes developing students’ writing skills for any genre and audience. Unlike programs in Communications or English, which has a broader focus, or a degree in Journalism, which teaches writing and speaking but in the context of news, current affairs, and events, a degree in Writing focuses either on creative writing or technical writing.
Some career options for Writing graduates include technical writing (manual writing), content writing, theatrical writing, literary writing (both fiction and non-fiction), advertising, public relations, speech writing, news writing, and editing, to name a few.
THE THREE BEST SCHOOLS FOR AN ONLINE WRITING DEGREE
University of Arkansas – Little Rock
Online Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing – PTW
The University of Arkansas – Little Rock runs the undergraduate program in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW) online, with a required 120 credit units for completion. The program allows students to choose between two concentrations: Nonfiction Concentration and Technical Writing Concentration.
The courses of the Nonfiction and Technical Writing concentrations are identical. Similar courses include topics on research, persuasive writing, grant writing, and courses on ‘Technology of the Book’ and ‘Publishing Inside Out,’ among others.
The Technical Writing concentration also offers additional electives on web writing, technical communication, legal writing, and writing for business and government purposes or correspondences.
Missouri State University
Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) – Professional Writing
Missouri State University offers an online program in Professional Writing with two tracks, the B.A. track, and the B.S. track. Both tracks require the completion of 120 credit units for graduation. The difference lies in the GE courses, while the required and major courses are identical for both tracks.
Some of the featured courses available for both B.S. and B.A. tracks include technical writing, electronic writing, scientific literature, writing and editing, web writing, and grant writing. A 3-unit internship is required, as well as courses on Fine Arts and Language.
The New School
Online Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
The New School in New York offers an online bachelor’s degree program in Creative Writing. It requires the completion of 120 credit units for graduation, with 30 units spent on courses in Literature and Creative Writing.
The curriculum focuses on literary writing for both non-fictional and fictional works. The Literature core discusses the works of contemporary authors, while the Workshop core tackles different literary forms, from poetry to novels, to non-fictional works, including journalistic pieces and translation.
Students are also required to undertake a capstone project to culminate the online degree program and a colloquium activity. After spending time with professionals in the field, students must submit a reflective essay about the experience.
KEY POINTS TO PONDER
- A Liberal Arts online degree is very versatile, allowing graduates to pursue a wide variety of job opportunities.
- For Liberal Arts graduates, career opportunities may include jobs in the visual and performing arts, political science, engineering, the fine arts, and information technology, or can obtain leadership roles. A Liberal Arts degree can assist you with finding a career within any industry.
- For online students, the interdisciplinary curriculum in a Liberal Arts degree program includes strong foundational knowledge coursework in general studies, social sciences, fine arts, creative writing, foreign languages, performing arts, computer skills, natural sciences, professional studies, visual and performing arts, and other various disciplines.
- Liberal Arts and Humanities graduates learn valuable skills, such as critical thinking skills, communication skills, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These skills will be good for your professional and personal life!
- For working adults, online Liberal Arts degree programs are a convenient way to earn your bachelor’s degree. An online program is perfect for those who have a busy social or home life.
- Are you interested in a Liberal Arts program? A well-rounded education in a Liberal Studies program is a wise choice!
Additional Information:
Looking forward to earning your graduate degree, too? Check this out: The Best Humanities Graduate Degrees Online
Not ready for a Bachelor’s degree just yet? Begin by earning an Associate degree in Liberal Arts: The Best Online Associates in Liberal Arts Degrees
A popular question: What Can I Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?