Study Liberal Arts in New Jersey
New Jersey might not get all the glory of its neighbor, New York, but despite being a smaller state, it offers many opportunities for getting your undergraduate degree. In fact, the Garden State is home to several dozen public and private colleges and universities. These schools are spread throughout the state and offer hundreds of degree programs.
This includes numerous institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts. Programs in liberal arts offer diverse studies in multiple fields and often allow you to tailor your degree program to your specific interests and needs. That makes this degree a wise choice if you have varied interests and want to have skills that are applicable in many different careers. Some most popular liberal arts programs are outlined below!
Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in New Jersey
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering liberal arts bachelor’s programs in New Jersey:
- Rutgers University
- Rowan University
- Montclair State University
- Seton Hall University
- Drew University
- Bloomfield College
- Ramapo College of New Jersey
- The College of New Jersey
- Ramapo College
- William Paterson University
Rutgers University
Liberal Studies Bachelor’s
The liberal studies bachelor’s program at Rutgers is a degree completion program designed for adult students who have significant college credits already completed. In fact, you can transfer up to 60 credits or the equivalent of an associate’s degree toward completing this degree. With that many credits, you only need about 60 more credits to complete the program.
This program requires you to choose one concentration area: social sciences, humanities, or natural sciences, the latter of which is only offered at Rutgers’ Camden campus. No matter which area you choose to study, you must complete at least 18 lower-division and 18 upper-division credits.
Furthermore, you must complete Mastering the Liberal Arts I and II – two three-credit courses that help you build a foundation of skills and understanding that will assist you in being successful in your degree.
Though it might seem like you are restricted in terms of the concentration area you choose, nothing could be further from the case. Each of the three available concentrations has a wealth of specialties. For example, if you choose the social sciences concentration, you can study criminal justice, psychology, or anthropology, to name just three.
As a humanities major, you can choose from history, theater arts, or English. Art, foreign languages, and philosophy are additional options. The natural sciences concentration also offers many choices, ranging from chemistry to geology to computer science.
Each of these areas and specialties is designed with the same four academic goals in mind. Upon graduation, it’s expected that you will have mastered the following:
- Have a high degree of reading comprehension
- Think critically and appreciate diverse points of view
- Carry out research and report on that research using clear, organized writing
- Appreciate the benefits of interdisciplinary studies
The length of this program depends on the number of credits you have completed and transferred. However, if you transfer in the maximum number of credits, you could complete your degree in as little as two years. And since coursework is available online and on campus, you can customize your learning experience as you see fit.
The application for undergraduate admission to Rutgers is available online. In addition to the application, you must also provide the following:
- Details of your extracurricular activities
- An admissions essay
- A $70 application fee
- A self-reported academic record or GED results (if applicable)
The early action deadline for admissions is November 1st of each year for the following fall semester. The regular decision deadline for the fall semester is December 1st. First-year and transfer applicants must submit their application materials by October 1st for the following spring semester.
Rowan University
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Rowan University offers a B.A. in Liberal Studies that’s completely online. This means you get the advantage of a highly flexible and customizable program in the most flexible format possible!
Like many other liberal arts-focused degrees, Rowan’s is designed specifically as a degree completion program – you must have at least 24 college credits on your transcript before you apply to the program. But, unlike many liberal arts programs, this one focuses specifically on the humanities and social sciences. That being the case, you’ll take courses such as:
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Integrated Marketing Communication
- Logic of Everyday Reasoning
- Introduction to Public Relations
- Introduction to Advertising
You’ll complete 36 credits of core humanities and social sciences courses. You can extend your studies by taking approved electives like Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Social and Political Philosophy, and Business Ethics, to name a few.
Each of these courses is online and lasts eight weeks. Each class week starts on Tuesdays at 8:00 am and ends the following Monday at 11:59 pm.
The required courses and elective options were chosen to help you develop critical communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal awareness that’s typically needed in advanced job placements. As such, this program offers you the chance to build in-demand skills that are applicable in numerous job fields.
Since this is a degree completion program, the length of time required to finish depends on the number of credits you’ve already completed. Assuming you have the maximum number of transferable credits, it’s reasonable to assume you can complete the degree requirements in two years.
You can apply to Rowan University online or by submitting the Common Application. As noted earlier, you must have already completed 24 or more college credits to apply to this program. Additionally, you must:
- Have a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Provide an outline of your life experiences, career advancement, and motivation (if you were last in college five or more years ago)
If applying for the fall term, you must submit your application materials by July 1st. Materials are due by February 1st for the spring term and April 1st for the summer term.
Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
At Montclair State University, you can complete an online, accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Assuming you take enough credits each semester and have an appropriate number of transfer credits, you can finish this degree in as little as 18 months.
The courses in this degree program are designed for maximum flexibility for working adults. Each class is eight weeks long and is delivered entirely online. There are two concentrations from which to choose: Humanities or Education. Each option includes 24 credits of coursework, including foundational and elective courses.
For example, the Humanities concentration requires you to choose four of the following five core courses:
- Inquiry in the Humanities
- General Humanities I
- General Humanities II
- Mythology
- Senior Humanities Seminar
You will then supplement these studies with four additional courses chosen from three fields: Language, Literature, and Art; Philosophical, Cultural, and Religious Perspectives; and History.
Alternatively, you can choose the Educational Studies option and take four of the following core courses:
- Psychological Foundations of Education
- Philosophical Orientations to Education
- Historical Foundations of American Education
- Gender and Education
- Assessment, Learning Sciences, and Ethics
- Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning
- Human Rights Education
- Current Issues in American Education
You must add four electives to the program, too, such as Adult Development and Aging, Comparative Studies of Global Families, and Child Development II – Adolescence.
Both concentrations are part of a larger curriculum. For example, in addition to the 24 concentration-area credits, you must also complete a 42-credit general education core, at least three credits of world languages and world cultures, and six credits of B.A. liberal studies core courses. Electives round out the remaining 120 credits needed to graduate.
As a Montclair student, you will benefit from small class sizes and individual attention – even online. In fact, you’ll have a dedicated Academic Success Coach who will help you develop your program study and ensure you’re on track to graduate.
You can apply as a degree completion student online. In addition to completing the online application, you must also provide official transcripts from every college or university you have attended, as well as a resume.
The preferred admission deadline at Montclair State is November 15th for admission the following spring and April 15th for the following fall. The final deadline is January 10th for the spring term and August 22nd for the fall term.
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
The Liberal Studies major at Seton Hall results in a Bachelor of Arts degree that enables you to explore multiple academic fields in the College of Arts and Sciences. This is a traditional on-campus program that requires 120 credits to graduate. Full-time students can complete the degree in four years, while part-time students might need an additional semester or two (or more) to complete the degree requirements.
As with any liberal arts major, the Seton Hall program requires you to complete a core of courses in liberal arts (15 credits) plus a three-credit course in writing. Additionally, you must select a minor, complete 18 credits in that field, and take a senior seminar course that serves as a summative learning experience for your studies. This totals 39 credits.
Then, you must select four additional courses – 12 credits – from areas not in the core curriculum or your selected minor. The remaining credits are met by taking elective courses of your choosing.
Seton Hall offers more than a dozen minors to choose from in a wide range of fields of study. Some of these include:
- Africana Studies
- Art History
- Communication
- History
- Religious Studies
Other options include music performance, French, and Asian studies, among many others. Again, you must take four more courses not inside your selected minor. For example, if you choose history as your minor, your four liberal arts courses must be in an area outside that field of study.
You are able to choose from a variety of courses because the faculty in the Liberal Arts program come from many different academic backgrounds. Some faculty members specialize in history and philosophy, while others are experts in languages or anthropology.
You can apply to Seton Hall online at any time. To do so, you must have a 2.0 GPA and complete the following steps:
- Submit a $65 application fee
- Send official high school transcripts to Seton Hall
- Provide official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Submit your ACT or SAT scores
- Select a teacher to fill out a Teacher Evaluation Form
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Once admitted to the program, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
The early action deadlines for admission are November 15th and December 15th for the following fall semester. Regular decision deadlines are February 1st and March 1st for the following fall semester. December 1st is the application deadline for the following spring semester.
Why Do People Get a Liberal Arts Degree?
People choose to pursue a liberal arts degree for various reasons, many of which are rooted in the unique benefits and opportunities that a liberal arts education provides:
- Broad Knowledge Base: Liberal arts education offers a well-rounded academic experience, covering a diverse range of subjects like literature, history, philosophy, social sciences, and the arts. This broad knowledge base helps students develop a comprehensive worldview and understand different perspectives.
- Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: One of the primary goals of a liberal arts education is to cultivate critical thinking and analytical abilities. Students learn to analyze complex problems, evaluate arguments, and think independently.
- Communication Skills: Liberal arts programs place a strong emphasis on developing excellent written and oral communication skills, which are vital in almost every career.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: The diverse skill set gained from a liberal arts education prepares students to adapt to various roles and industries. This flexibility is particularly valuable in a rapidly changing job market where the ability to pivot into new areas can be crucial.
- Cultural and Ethical Awareness: Many students are drawn to the liberal arts for the opportunity to explore ethical questions and cultural issues. This exploration fosters a deeper understanding of societal challenges and global issues.
- reparation for Graduate Studies: A liberal arts degree is a common pathway for students planning to enter graduate programs, especially in fields like law, education, and business.
- Passion for Specific Fields: Some students choose a liberal arts degree simply because they are passionate about the subjects, such as philosophy, literature, or history, and wish to delve deeper into these areas.
- Career Versatility: Graduates with a liberal arts degree can pursue a variety of career paths. Employers often value the transferable skills liberal arts graduates bring, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability.
- Building a Foundation for Leadership Roles: The skills developed in a liberal arts program, such as critical thinking, communication, and ethical judgment, are essential for leadership roles in various fields.
Do Liberal Arts Majors Need Math?
Liberal arts majors often require some level of math, although the extent and nature of the math courses can vary significantly based on the specific major and the institution’s curriculum requirements. Here are some key points to consider:
- General Education Requirements: Many colleges and universities have general education or core curriculum requirements that include a certain amount of coursework in mathematics. This ensures that all students, regardless of their major, have a basic level of quantitative literacy.
- Major-Specific Requirements: Some liberal arts majors may have specific math requirements. For example, economics often requires courses in statistics and calculus. Psychology majors might need to take statistics to prepare for research methods and data analysis in their field.
- Math as an Elective: In majors where math is not a requirement, you may still choose to take math courses as electives, particularly if you are interested in areas that intersect with quantitative analysis (like certain branches of philosophy or political science).
- Skills Development: Even if not required, math courses can be beneficial for developing analytical and problem-solving skills that are valuable in many liberal arts disciplines.
- Preparation for Graduate Studies: Students planning to pursue certain graduate programs may find that taking additional math courses as undergraduates is helpful or even necessary. For instance, a student in history or sociology who intends to focus on quantitative research methods in graduate school might take additional statistics courses.
- Variation by Institution: The specific math requirements can vary widely by college or university. Some institutions might have a more flexible approach to math requirements for liberal arts majors, while others maintain a more structured curriculum.
What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in New Jersey?
One avenue you might explore after graduating with your undergraduate degree in liberal arts is the hospitality industry. Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses need reliable, educated workers with good problem-solving and communication skills, and that’s precisely what your liberal arts program trains you to do!
A related option is to explore a career in customer service. The liberal arts degree programs outlined above each emphasize the development of strong interpersonal and communication skills, both of which are crucial for performing well in the customer service industry. And with thousands of businesses in the state of New Jersey, the need for qualified customer service representatives is likely quite high.
Yet another option you could pursue is working as an activities director. This is an especially pertinent career path if your liberal arts program focuses on education or child development. After-school programs like Boys and Girls Club need workers who can design and develop activities, manage a classroom of kids, and provide opportunities for children to learn and grow. With a liberal arts degree, you will have these and other skills that could make you a great fit.
A wholly different career path you might take is to work as a lobbyist. Your liberal arts education will likely include courses in political science, communications, and history, all of which are helpful for working with politicians, businesses, and organizations on behalf of a special interest – of which there are many in New Jersey!
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