Study Liberal Arts in Massachusetts
As a college student in Massachusetts, you benefit from an extensive higher education system with college campuses all over the state. This gives you the flexibility to choose the school that fits your needs the best, be that a college nearest to your home, one that offers online learning, or offers the most affordable education.
And this variety continues as a liberal arts major. Though Massachusetts might not be the biggest or most populous state, it has among the best variety of liberal arts, liberal studies, and interdisciplinary studies undergraduate programs in the nation. With all that variety comes a tough choice – which school and program are best for you?
Use this guide outlining some of the popular liberal arts degrees in Massachusetts as a vehicle for starting your college search!
Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in Massachusetts
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering liberal arts bachelor’s programs in Massachusetts:
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Westfield State University
- Worcester State University
- Framingham State University
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Wellesley College
- Hampshire College
- Williams College
- Georgetown University
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a highly customizable major that puts the power of choosing what you study in your hands. But the flexibility of the program doesn’t stop there. You can complete the program on campus or online, attend school part-time or full-time, and you can transfer up to 90 credits to count toward the graduation requirements for this degree.
Furthermore, UMass-Lowell offers a host of concentration areas in which you can focus your studies. You can choose two concentrations from options like Art History, Economics, or Criminal Justice. Other options include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Graphic Design
- History
- Legal Studies
Whichever concentrations you choose, you must complete at least 120 credits to graduate. This includes 36-38 university core courses like math, science, and humanities that form the basis of your higher education. You must then take 36 or more credits in your concentration area(s), 30 credits of free electives, and complete a 12-credit foreign language requirement.
This degree only requires you to take two specific courses: Foundations in Liberal Studies and the Bachelor of Liberal Arts Capstone. These courses bookend your program of study, with the Foundations course giving you insight into the relevance of studying multiple disciplines, while the capstone course serves as a reflective project during which you integrate what you’ve learned in multiple fields to demonstrate your learning.
This program offers the advantage of the same curriculum and the same professors whether you take courses on campus or online. Likewise, either option allows you to fast-track your education – you can finish your studies in as little as one year, depending on the number of transfer credits you have.
You can apply to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell online. You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet
- Complete a college preparatory curriculum in high school, including four courses in English and math, three courses of science, two courses of social sciences and foreign language, and two additional electives in any of the previously listed subjects, arts, humanities, or computer science
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
You can also choose to submit ACT or SAT scores if you wish.
Westfield State University
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Westfield State is a flexible, customizable degree program requiring 120 credits to graduate. As a first-year full-time student, you would need about four years to complete this program. However, you can shorten this timeline by transferring credits from another college or university or using AP, IB, or dual-credit coursework in high school to reduce the number of credits needed to graduate.
The 120 credits needed to finish this program are comprised of several categories of courses:
- The University Common Core which includes basic studies in a broad range of disciplines, including social science, physical science, math, and others
- The Major Area, which includes 18 credits of studies in your field of choice
- The Secondary Concentration, which includes 15 credits of studies in your field of choice
- The Third Concentration, which includes 12 credits of studies in your field of choice
- Free Electives in subjects of your choosing
The major and two concentrations can be complementary subjects or they can be from the same department. For example, you might major in biology and have concentrations in environmental science and chemistry. This is an example of a department-specific arrangement.
Complementary subjects are from varying yet related fields. An example of this might be to major in philosophy with concentrations in history and art history.
The purpose of having three areas of concentration is to devise a course of study that provides a coherent path forward for developing a deep level of knowledge. To aid in this endeavor, you cannot take more than four 0100-level courses in your major.
If you prefer to earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies, you must select two of your three concentrations from the Business Management, Criminal Justice, or Computer Science departments. Again, your concentrations must be related – in this case, you might major in criminal justice and have concentrations in forensic accounting and cybersecurity.
You can begin the application process to Westfield State online. As a first-year student, you must provide official high school transcripts when you apply. You must also submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Moreover, you must complete a college preparatory curriculum in high school, including the following:
- Four courses in English and math
- Three courses in science
- Two courses in social sciences and foreign language
- Two additional electives in any of the previously listed subjects, arts, humanities, or computer science
Several other components are optional as part of the application process. These include submitting letters of recommendation, an essay, and ACT or SAT scores.
Worcester State University
Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies – Liberal Studies Major
The Liberal Studies major at Worcester State is a customizable program that allows you to study disciplines that are of interest to you rather than adhering to a predetermined major offered by the university. You have the additional flexibility of earning a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts, depending on your unique needs and interests.
You can begin this program as a first-year student or as a transfer. As a new student, a liberal studies major allows you to achieve your academic goals by studying multiple subjects in depth. As a transfer student, this degree program gives you a pathway for completing a degree you started at Worcester or another college or university.
Whatever the case, you will participate in a broad curriculum focusing on skills and knowledge development pertaining to the following:
- Career development
- Engaged citizenship
- Interdisciplinary learning
- Self-advocacy
- Entrepreneurship
This is a traditional 120-credit on-campus program. You must maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout the program, including in the two areas of study you choose. You may choose your areas of study from a long list of possibilities, including:
- Communications
- Data Science
- Astronomy
- Psychology
- Global Studies
Many other options are available, including unique offerings like Psychobiology, African and African Diaspora Studies, and Urban Studies.
When choosing your concentration areas, you can select options that are directly related or complementary to one another. For example, you might focus on directly related fields like geography and history, art and music, or sociology and urban studies. Examples of complementary concentrations include computer science and financial mathematics, civic engagement and journalism, or political science and pre-law.
In all, you must take at least 40 liberal arts and sciences credits, 39 credits in your two concentration areas, and various electives to meet the 120-credit threshold for graduation. Only two courses are specifically required, though: Introduction to Liberal Studies and Capstone/Senior Research in Liberal Studies. These courses prepare you for high-level inquiry in this field and allow you to synthesize your learning across multiple fields, respectively.
You can apply to Worcester State online at any time. You must have a good academic record in high school to qualify for admission as a first-year student. This includes taking quality and high-level courses while maintaining a solid GPA. You can supplement your application with the following optional materials to strengthen your case for admission:
- ACT or SAT Scores
- A personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
Framingham State University
Bachelor of Arts
Framingham State University is yet another popular option for liberal arts students. The Liberal Studies major at Framingham culminates in a Bachelor of Arts degree with studies in a variety of fields. You are free to choose the disciplines you study. Furthermore, you will work with a faculty advisor to ensure your program of inquiry meets the requirements of graduation.
The requirements for completing this program are as follows:
- Complete 11 general education credits (including at least one lab science)
- Complete 11 elective course credits
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Meet residency requirements by completing at least eight-course credits at Framingham State
- Complete at least five course credits in your concentration, including at least two advanced courses at the 300-400 level
- Complete LIBS 450: Seminar in Liberal Studies and LIBS 250: Introduction to Research Methods
You can complete these requirements as part of one of two concentrations: General Studies or Individualized Studies.
The General Studies track requires you to take eight courses from two or three academic departments. Of these, five of these courses must be at an advanced level. This is a good option if you have academic interests in multiple areas that cannot be satisfied by a traditional major program.
The Individualized Studies track also requires you to complete eight concentration courses, five of which must be at an advanced level. There is no requirement to take courses in a second area of interest. However, you must submit a written academic plan outlining the eight courses you wish to take for approval from the university’s Liberal Studies Advisory Group. This option is ideal if you know what you want to study but existing majors aren’t available.
An interesting feature of Framingham State’s liberal studies program is the ability to earn credit via a Prior Learning Assessment. You can earn up to eight course credits through a portfolio assessment process that evaluates your employment, community service experiences, and military service for credit. You may also be eligible to earn credit for independent learning, noncredit educational experiences, and educational travel.
Prior Learning Assessment credits can only be used towards the liberal studies major at Framingham. Switching majors results in these credits being removed from your academic record.
The online application for Framingham State University is available online. If you are a first-year student, you must submit official high school transcripts, GED results, or HiSET results. Furthermore, you must pay a $50 application fee. Framingham State is a test-optional university, meaning you don’t have to submit ACT or SAT scores if you feel as though doing so would hurt your chances of admission.
Is UMass Dartmouth a Liberal Arts School?
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) is not primarily identified as a liberal arts school. UMass Dartmouth is a comprehensive public university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields. Its academic offerings include liberal arts but also encompass other areas such as engineering, business, nursing, visual and performing arts, marine science, and more.
While UMass Dartmouth has a strong College of Arts and Sciences, which offers liberal arts and science programs, the university’s scope extends beyond the traditional liberal arts focus. It is known for providing a diverse and interdisciplinary education, allowing students to pursue studies in both liberal arts disciplines and professional fields.
UMass Dartmouth offer liberal arts education as part of its broader academic portfolio, however, it is more accurately described as a comprehensive university rather than a strictly liberal arts school.
Is Wellesley a Liberal Arts School?
Yes, Wellesley College is a liberal arts school. It is a private women’s liberal arts college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Wellesley is known for its strong academic programs in the arts and sciences and is one of the original Seven Sisters colleges, a group of prestigious women’s colleges in the northeastern United States.
Wellesley is also known for its beautiful campus, its global and diverse community, and its numerous opportunities for students to engage in research, internships, and cultural experiences.
What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in Massachusetts?
Studying liberal arts in Massachusetts can open many doors for your post-undergraduate career. Liberal arts graduates are in high demand in many businesses and industries, and the presence of Boston, one of the largest cities in the U.S., certainly doesn’t hurt your chances of finding employment!
The academic areas you study in your degree program will determine the types of career opportunities you have after graduation. For example, you might use undergraduate studies in history to pursue a career as a historian. While most historians have advanced degrees, you might find an entry-level position at one of the many museums or historical sites in Massachusetts.
A completely different option might be to work for a law enforcement agency like the FBI as an intelligence analyst. A course of study in criminal justice, computer science, and psychology might prepare you well for this type of job in the FBI’s Boston field office. A related example might be working as an interpreter for the FBI or another federal agency. Your studies in a foreign language in your undergraduate program might qualify you for important positions in translating intelligence or helping officials communicate in person.
You might even seek employment in the technology sector. Many liberal studies programs have computer science-related options, which might include studies in computer programming, software development, and website design, to name a few. Jobs in these fields are abundant, and with training in multiple fields, you may well find that job opportunities are in even greater supply.
Jobs aren’t just available to you in the Boston area, though. Throughout the state, businesses and organizations of all sizes and types are looking for well-qualified, dependable, hard-working employees. If you possess these basic traits and have a well-rounded education in liberal arts, you should have no problem finding a job after you graduate!
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