Bachelor of Arts Degree - Liberal Studies

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Overview
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies (B.A.) is designed to match your intellectual interests and goals with a learning schedule that fits your busy life. Formerly known as the ADP (Adult Degree Program) at Vermont College, our B.A. in liberal studies is offered as a completely online degree program or via a weekend residency option.

Your degree path is customized to meet your learning style and personal schedule. Each term you'll work one-to-one with a faculty mentor and a small study group with interests similar to yours. On the path to your bachelor's degree, you will design an independent study project in the area that interests you.  A faculty mentor will provide  individualized feedback – both support and challenge -- about your project and your academic growth through ongoing dialogue.

Whether you earned college credit two weeks or more than 20 years ago, we recognize the value of your past learning. At Union, you may transfer up to 78 credits toward your bachelor's degree from a variety of sources, including other accredited academic institutions, college-level experiential learning, workshop documentation, military training and CLEP exams. Whether studying for your bachelor's degree entirely online or attending the weekend residencies in Vermont, it is possible earn your degree in as little as 16 months from Union Institute & University.

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies - Areas of Concentration

• Arts, Writing & Literature
• Education
• Environmental Studies & Sustainability
• Global Studies, History & Culture
• Psychology & Human Development
• Self-Designed

Teacher Licensure requires a liberal arts major; all concentrations except Education Studies are acceptable for teacher licensure programs.

Degree Program at a Glance

• Credits Needed to Earn Bachelor's Degree – 120
• Length of Terms – 16 weeks
• Fall Term (Aug-Dec) - 12 or 9 credit study; 6 credit seminars
• Winter Term (Jan-Apr) - 12 or 9 credit study; 6 credit seminars
• Spring/Summer Term (May-Aug) - 6-credit online seminars 
  • First session: May-June;
  • Second session: July-Aug  
  • Participate in one or both seminar sessions.
• Transfer Previously Earned Credits Toward Your Degree – Up to 78 credits may be transferred from a variety of sources (Please ask your admissions counselor for details)
• Minimum Time to Bachelor's Degree – 42 credits (3.5 Terms)
• Professional Training - Teacher Licensure Program, open also to those who have already earned a Bachelor of Arts. The addiction studies specialty includes all content necessary to qualify for taking the national examination for substance abuse counselor certification.

Program Delivery
For over 45 years, our Bachelor of Arts degree program has offered student-centered education built around the personal interests and goals of our students. Over time, some of the details have changed (we offer fully online degree programs), but what remains the same are our values: a dedication to each student as a unique individual and our belief in the power of knowledge to change the world for the better.

Low-Residency Weekend Option – Designed for persons who live within driving range and desire face-to-face interactions: attend either the Montpelier or Brattleboro Vermont locations, one weekend a month.

Online – Earn your bachelor's degree from anywhere in the world and enjoy the convenience of online learning. Study entirely from home and participate in a 7-day online residency, charged with lively discussions, interesting presentations, and planning your own in-depth study. Communicate with faculty and other students at times of your choosing through phone, email, and our distance learning platform.

Seminars – A variety of multi-disciplinary  6-credit  seminars are offered – over 16 weeks in the fall and winter terms and as accelerated options over 8-week sessions in the spring/summer term.  These online seminars are structured to emphasize dialogue with faculty and fellow students and to encourage students’ own projects within the topic area.