Best Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts

Because it's so broad, earning an associate degree in liberal arts is an excellent choice for students who want to explore options to focus their interests. Completing a two-year program can help graduates build their resumes for immediate benefits in the workplace, or students can use their two-year degree to determine their preferred field of study and move on to higher-level degree programs.

An associate degree in liberal arts can be especially beneficial for those who intend to obtain bachelor's or graduate degrees because it can help reduce the overall cost of their education. Associate degree programs in liberal arts can be found at most community colleges. Since community colleges are almost always much more cost-efficient than four-year universities, cost-aware students can cut costs for the first two years of their education by pursuing an associate degree at a two-year college before transferring to a university.

Many students who choose to earn an associate degree in liberal arts want to continue their college education after graduating. For this reason, associate-level liberal arts students should strongly consider their transfer options after graduating through different programs. Some two-year colleges have agreements with public universities that can smooth the transition from associate to bachelor's degrees. Students should consider program partnerships to ensure that every credit transfers at the appropriate level. In lieu of partnerships, students should make certain that their program is accredited and that they keep on track to meet two-year milestones at their future universities.

Students may also want to consider the community of their preferred colleges when making their ultimate choice. Students for whom faith is an important factor in their everyday lives can focus on schools that utilize a faith-based curriculum or encourage a diversity of beliefs. Christian students may be interested in learning more about the top Christian liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Attending a historically black college or university could be another way for some students to celebrate their shared experiences. Similarly, women may prefer to study at women's colleges. In any case, students should make sure that the ethos of their college's community is in step with their priorities.

Application and Admissions for Liberal Arts Associate Degree Programs

The first part of any admissions process is to fill out an application with an appropriate college. Most applications can be begun or completed online. Through the application process, students in most programs will need to show proof of high school graduation or submit their GED scores. High school graduation may be proved by submitting transcripts or a high school diploma. In most cases, students will also take placement tests through their college to verify that they are appropriately prepared for college-level coursework. Students with advanced placement (AP) credits from high school or with previous college experience should submit their transcripts for credit transfers. Students may pay a small fee when applying, though this is not always required.

Most programs will require liberal arts students to earn between 60 to 64 credits to graduate and will take full-time students about two years to complete. Though requirements vary, most programs will focus on satisfying general education requirements for half or more than half of the required credit hours. Students who require more time or can only commit to a half-time course load can expect to take up to twice as long to complete their program.

The cost of an associate degree can widely vary across programs. Tuition per semester can range from as low as $700 and as much as $2,000 for in-state students and around $3,000 to $3,500 for out-of-state students. Fees and expenses for books and housing can add several thousand dollars on top of this per semester. In a general sense, four-year colleges and especially private universities will cost significantly more.

Coursework in these programs typically includes general studies like math, science, English, and communication, as well as history, humanities, and social sciences. Some schools may require students to complete health or physical education courses as well. Liberal arts students may also have the opportunity to select a concentration from a wide variety of electives.

Concentration areas may include:

• Arts & Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Math & Science
• Communication
• Health or Business

Because liberal arts is such an expansive field, many future careers or educational pathways are open to liberal arts students and two-year degrees typically offer good career benefits on a quicker timetable than bachelor's degrees. Some of the highest paying jobs for liberal arts degrees can be found in many different fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for workers with liberal arts degrees is available at schools, or in management, sales or administrative positions.

Begin a Career as a Teaching Assistant

Teaching can be an excellent career choice for a liberal arts graduate. Though a four-year degree is typically required for teaching, an AA in Liberal Arts can qualify graduates for most positions as teaching assistants. Teaching assistants promote learning through reinforcing teaching material on a one-on-one basis with students, supervise students when they are outside their classrooms, and assist licensed teachers in classroom management and recordkeeping. In May 2020, the BLS reported the average wage for teacher assistants at $30,630 with expected job growth projected at the national average of 4% over the next ten years.

Teacher assistants are generally required to hold an associate degree. Some schools may also require certification in CPR or first aid. Working as a teacher assistant may also provide prospective teachers with an opportunity to see if education is the right field for them.

Begin a Career as a Human Resources Assistant

Human resources assistants work with hiring managers to maintain employee records, assist the hiring process through compiling and submitting resumes, and update online profiles on job sites to reflect any current openings. Human resources assistants handle confidential employment information and may choose to seek positions as human resources specialists or managers with further education.

To become a human resources assistant, prospective employees must generally hold an associate degree. A background in liberal arts will be especially effective training when students have concentrations in communications or English. Familiarity with word processing can benefit job seekers. Employees will generally receive some on-the-job training. According to the BLS in May 2020, the average wage for human resources assistants was $44,170. Though the BLS projected job growth will decline among human resources assistants by 5% between 2019 to 2029, associate degree holders can expect more opportunities than those without degrees.

Accreditation is crucial at the two-year level for students who wish to continue their education. Attending an accredited institution or program will assure students that their degree will transfer at the appropriate level. Institutional accreditation can be found through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the national association of accreditors, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

There is currently no DOE-approved accrediting body for liberal arts programs at the associate-degree level.

A liberal arts associate degree can lay the groundwork for careers in many different disciplines and one of the best methods for career advancement is to build expertise in one specific area through further education and work experience. For instance, students who determine that they are interested in education while they work as teacher assistants can choose to become teachers by earning a bachelor's degree in their field of interest and pursuing a teaching license. Their previous work experience will make them more attractive to employers, and their educational background in liberal arts will prepare them for a bachelor's degree in many fields, like history, English, or math and sciences. Likewise, students interested in work in human resources can advance their careers and increase their earnings through transferring to a social sciences bachelor's program.

With a liberal arts background, students who decide to earn a bachelor's degree may choose to major in almost any area, including communications, education, math and sciences or politics and history. However, since liberal arts is wide-ranging, students must be especially careful to meet the goals for satisfactory progress toward their future degrees. While general liberal arts degrees at the bachelor's or graduate levels are available, students who intend to concentrate in a specific area should be aware of all requirements for the first two years in their future programs. For a successful transfer into their preferred programs, liberal arts students should choose an appropriate concentration. For instance, students who would like to enter journalism programs at four-year universities should follow a communications or journalism track and complete all the required sophomore courses for a journalism major.

For those who would prefer to continue their diverse, interdisciplinary education by majoring in liberal arts, bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts are available. Programs are alternatively termed liberal studies or interdisciplinary. A few universities offer doctoral programs in liberal arts. Some certificate programs in liberal arts can be found for students who would like to increase their understanding of the subject material. Graduate certificate programs and certificate programs for those without degrees are offered.

Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts

Bachelor's degrees in liberal arts can usually be completed in four years by full-time students and require around 120 credit hours for completion. Graduates are typically awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies or Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Generally, students will work closely with an advisor to build their own specialization in the field of liberal arts. Similar to a liberal arts associate degree, students may choose to focus their education through concentrating in one area.

Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts

Like undergraduate degrees, a strength of earning a master's degree in liberal arts is its flexibility. While advanced degrees in liberal arts are not common, some institutions offer Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Liberal Arts programs. Students should be prepared to determine their academic plan with an advisor and will often be asked to complete a capstone or thesis project toward the completion of their degree. Programs can be completed in one to two years.

Doctoral Degrees in Liberal Arts

Doctoral degrees in liberal arts are rare. At the doctoral level, typically, liberal arts students would choose a specific major and pursue an advanced degree in that subject. However, for students who are committed to earning a degree in liberal arts, there are a few institutions that offer Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS), Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) or Interdisciplinary PhDs issued by the liberal arts program of their institution. These highly personalized programs are exploratory and completed under the supervision of an academic advisor.

Certificate Programs in Liberal Arts

Students who already have degrees may choose to earn a graduate certificate in liberal arts, but those who have not yet earned a degree can also find suitable liberal arts certificate programs. In either case, the credits earned through a certificate program may be transferred in some cases toward future degrees either at the associate, bachelor's, or master's level. Certificate programs can usually be completed in one to two semesters by students with full-time course loads.

The cost of higher education can be daunting to many students, but opportunities for financial aid can be found in most circumstances that can help diminish its burden. The first thing that every student at an accredited school should do is submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application, administered by the US Department of Education, connects eligible students with federal financial aid in a variety of forms, including grants, scholarships, and student loans. Students can fill out the application entirely online at no cost.

Students seeking scholarships or grants at two-year colleges should look for institutional financial aid - assistance provided by the college or its alumni. Some foundations award packages for broad programs, such as liberal arts, and the college disburses funds to eligible students who apply for financial aid within the college. For instance, the Osher Scholarships for Maine and California, run by the Osher Foundation, provides scholarships to community colleges for liberal arts or general studies students. Students must apply through participating institutions. Interested students should contact their financial aid department to determine what grants or scholarship programs they offer.

Another way to connect with scholarships for liberal arts degrees is to use the CareerOneStop scholarship finder tool.