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See how CSU’s online liberal arts degree helps you develop a broad set of communication and analytical skills that will benefit you professionally and personally.
The world is a diverse and complex place, so it's important to understand people, cultures, events, and concepts from multiple perspectives. CSU's online liberal arts degree gives you the broad foundation to explore a variety of conceptual frameworks with interdisciplinary coursework in communications, economics, political science, sociology, and the humanities.
Versatility is a major asset in the modern workplace, and this program equips you with knowledge and tools to fill a wide range of multidimensional job roles across numerous industries. Gain the credentials you need to move forward in your career as you hone your abilities in:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), many employers rank “soft skills” like communication, writing, and critical thinking (three skills you learn in a liberal arts program) above technical skills.
Employers understand that it’s easier to teach someone new technical skills if they already have a solid foundation in communication, collaborative group work, and critical thinking. On the other hand, it can be more challenging to work with a tech savvy person who lacks fundamental soft skills.
Creativity, versatility, and a well-rounded knowledge base make motivated liberal arts majors highly employable. Depending on the specific courses and minor you choose, there are many potential career avenues you can take, including:
Learn more about putting your liberal arts degree to work.
CSU is the first institution in Colorado to offer an online liberal arts bachelor's degree. Online programs broaden your opportunities to get a quality education that is flexible enough to fit into your life — no matter where you live, what your schedule is, or where you are in your life and career.
This flexible program allows you to select courses that best suit your interests and career objectives. You can pursue an educational experience that is driven by your interests in the subjects you most enjoy. In addition to foundational coursework, a minor is required for completion of the program.
You can choose from nine minors, including:
A liberal arts degree will not only increase your employment marketability, it will advance and refine your competencies for new employment responsibilities. Graduates from this liberal arts degree program apply their education in a wide variety of careers, including public policy, mass media, law, city planning, business, information systems, journalism, publishing, education, sales and marketing, government, communications, museum work, and entertainment.
The College of Liberal Arts prides itself in educating students for life. Designed to enhance personal and professional growth, this undergraduate degree completion program supports a life of intellectual exploration, integrated learning, and personal development. You gain knowledge and intellectual and interpersonal skills that provide a basis for career advancement in virtually every career in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts, you gain the foundational background in a variety of disciplines necessary to pursue graduate study in many specialized fields.
Additionally, degree minors provide a unique opportunity to focus your career goals on a specific area of interest.
Hear about our students' experiences, and see how CSU's flexible online liberal arts program allowed them to achieve their academic goals.
See why Brad felt like his life had been "on hold" until he chose to finish his degree online at CSU.
Carolyn returned to school after nearly three decades; hear her tell the story of her journey to graduation.
Yes, previous coursework is required. This program is designed for students who have completed at least 40 transferable credit hours at the community college level or if you have completed an A.A. or A.S. degree. Your transcripts from all the colleges you attended will be evaluated to determine your academic status and transfer credits in relation to satisfying degree program requirements.
The time it will take you to complete the degree will depend on how many transfer credits you have earned and how many credits you choose to take each semester.
The amount of time you will spend weekly will depend on the amount of coursework you commit to each semester as well as your learning and studying style. Although this degree offers flexibility, it still requires the same amount of work and time as an on-campus program. It is recommended to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three credit course.
Absolutely. Class sizes average 25 students which gives you more attention from each faculty member. Your interactions with your classmates and faculty depend on the specific course, but online courses do provide you with the means to communicate and discuss on and offline. You will also collaborate on projects and exchange ideas with fellow classmates through email and discussion board postings.
Colorado State University's liberal arts coursework is applicable to virtually every career in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. This degree program features interdisciplinary studies in a variety of topics of your choosing opening opportunities to gain knowledge in a variety of careers and industries.
As a student in CSU’s online interdisciplinary liberal arts bachelor’s program, you receive the same education, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus. Additionally, you can expect:
Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.
A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this degree. This includes:
The number of courses needed for completion of the program depends on:
This online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts brings together courses in the humanities, the arts, social sciences, and languages and literature. Such a broad curriculum helps you develop personally while you build core professional skills and improve your understanding of the complex world in which we live.
Courses can be taken in any order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisite courses do apply to the total credits required to complete the program, though some prerequisites may not be offered through Colorado State University Online and may require consent of the instructor prior to registration.
The curriculum listed below is intended to inform prospective students about the overall theme of the program and should not be used as an example program of study. Students need to consult their advisor to develop a degree completion plan based on the credits transferred into this program. You have the option to use the TransferologyTM website to conduct a self-review of your potential transfer courses. This tool will assist you in seeing how your previous college coursework may transfer to CSU.
You must have senior status to enroll in Capstone, and we highly encourage you to take this course during the term you intend to graduate.
Choose upper-division (300 and 400-level) courses from at least 2 of the liberal arts disciplines (cannot double count credits from minor). (ANTH, ART, CO, D, E, ECON, ETST, GR, HIST, JTC, LSPA, LB, PHIL, POLS, PSY (only 6 credits allowed from PSY), SOC, SPCM, TH.)
Choose, in consultation with your advisor from any liberal arts disciplines (cannot double count credits from AUCC I, II, or III).
Must choose an approved minor.
Select at least one class (3 credits) from the following: ECON 306, POLS 302, POLS 420, SOC 311, SPCM 341, ANTH 400, or SPCM 350.
Depth & Integration courses are courses that the department has deemed to build upon the foundations of knowledge and intellectual perspectives of AUCC Category 3 in an integrative and complementary way.
Without a strict timeline or schedule of completing the curriculum, you can get the degree you want, the courses you want, all in a time frame that fits your schedule.
While this degree offers flexibility, it still requires a commitment of time and attention. It is recommended that you plan to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course, though the time required will vary depending on your learning style. You should expect to be challenged by the analytical and communication requirements of this program, so you gain the skills that make this degree so valuable to your current and future employers.
This program strives to be interactive and requires you to be an active participant in class. The format and extent of your interactions with faculty and fellow students depend on the course, but each course generally has online or telephone office hours, email contact, discussions, and weekly assignments. With an average class size of just 25 students, you receive personalized attention from experienced university faculty.
This self-paced online program allows you to earn your degree while maintaining your busy work and family schedules. Is online learning right for you?
Broaden your degree by adding a minor that deepens your interests and builds valuable, career-ready skills. A minor helps you explore new ideas, gain focused expertise, and strengthen your education without significantly changing your degree plan. Many courses can count toward both your major and minor, including courses you’ve already completed, as long as all requirements are finished before graduation.
| Fall semester | June 1 |
| Spring semester | November 1 |
| Summer semester | May 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowPlanning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.
Refer to admissions.colostate.edu/apply/ for details about who we look for in our individual review process
Call or email our student success team to find out if the program is a good fit for your goals. Our coaches are available Monday-Friday to help you find the right program and navigate the application process.
Student Success Coach: Kristina Reda
Phone: (970) 491-1813
Email: Kristina Reda
Complete Colorado State University's online undergraduate application and pay any associated nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).
Online applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) on the deadline date. If you miss the application deadline, you may still register for courses to begin your program of study as a non-degree student. Students seeking Federal financial aid must be admitted prior to enrolling.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Use FAFSA code 001350. Additional financial aid information is also available.
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and may take up to six weeks during high volume application periods.
We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.
