Study Liberal Arts in Tennessee

Getting a degree from a school in Tennessee means having the flexibility you need to get your education. On the one hand, you can study at a large public school, like the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, or you can get your degree from a smaller private college for a more intimate learning experience.

On the other hand, Tennessee’s colleges and universities offer in-person programs, online degrees, and hybrid options that allow you to take courses in a way that best fits your schedule. And with world-class facilities and faculty at schools across the state, you can learn in rich and stimulating environments with teachers who will help prepare you to apply what you’ve learned in your degree program.

This guide explores some of the popular liberal arts-related bachelor’s degree programs Tennessee has to offer. The programs below are listed in no particular order.

Best Popular Accredited Liberal Arts Colleges and Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee Online

Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in Tennessee

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering liberal arts bachelor’s programs in Tennessee:

  • Belmont University
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Austin Peay State University
  • University of Tennessee-Knoxville
  • Rhodes College
  • Fisk University
  • Milligan University
  • South College-Knoxville
  • Freed-Hardeman University
  • Sewanee – The University of the South

Belmont University

Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies

The Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from Belmont University is a self-designed program specifically for adult college students. You can tailor your studies to address the specific competencies necessary for a career change or for preparing to enter graduate school.

The program requires 128 credits of coursework to graduate. Among those credits include 53 hours of core requirements, 45 hours of electives, and 30 hours within your self-designed plan of study. The self-designed component can be comprised of numerous types of courses, including:

  • Transfer credits from another institution
  • Elective courses at Belmont
  • A second major
  • Two or more minors

In addition to these course types, you must take a one-credit senior capstone course. This course is completed in consultation with a liberal arts faculty member who guides you in the process of reflecting on your learning. You will synthesize the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in a project that demonstrates how your educational and career-prep goals have been achieved in the program.

This program isn’t just flexible to meet your educational needs. Instead, you will reap numerous other benefits. For example, you will benefit from personalized mentorship from faculty members and one-on-one guidance from staff to help you navigate the requirements of the degree and graduate on time.

Likewise, the curriculum is focused on career preparation. You will gain relevant skills for the workplace that can help you advance your current career or switch careers to an entirely new field. In either case, you will emerge from the program with the capability of being an improved employee and a more valuable employee at that.

This program is also affordable. Belmont’s adult-focused programs are offered at a heavy discount. This enables you to get a high-quality private education without the enormous tuition bills that are so common in higher education.

You can apply to Belmont as an adult student online. Doing so requires that you are 24 years of age or older, though some exceptions might be made. For example, you can be less than 24 years old if you have two or more years of service in the military, are married, or have a family of your own.

Additionally, you must provide the following when applying:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
  • A recommendation form from a non-family member
  • A personal essay
  • A $35 application fee

Middle Tennessee State University

Integrated Studies Bachelor’s Degree

Middle Tennessee State’s Integrated Studies Bachelor’s Degree Program is an interdisciplinary program with on-campus and online components. The program requires you to complete 120 credits of coursework, which typically takes four years of full-time study. The program is also available part-time to accommodate your career and family obligations.

You will choose two areas of emphasis to complete as part of this program. Both emphasis areas require 12 credits of coursework in subject areas of your choosing. The program offers a variety of emphasis areas, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Hospitality Management
  • Sociology
  • Cultural Studies
  • English
  • Women’s Studies

Other options include Event Planning, Communication Studies, and Office Management, to name a few.

You can customize your degree even further with concentrations in Applied Leadership or Public Safety. The Applied Leadership program is specifically designed for students who work in business or industry. Coursework focuses on the modern business environment, and you can use your course studies to earn as many as four different undergraduate certificates.

The Public Safety concentration is designed for students who work in law enforcement and other public safety settings. This emphasis area focuses on communication, crisis response, and leadership, among other safety-related topics.

Other established concentrations you can choose from include the following:

  • Health and Human Performance
  • Leadership Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Dance Studies
  • Agriculture / Agriscience Studies
  • Tourism and Hospitality Management

You also have the option of developing your own course of study with the assistance of your academic advisor.

No matter which concentration or emphasis area you choose, you are required to take at least three courses: Senior Career Development Seminar, Interdisciplinary Research and Problem Solving, and Culminating Project. These courses help you develop career-related skills, become adept at academic research, and allow you to showcase the knowledge and skills you have learned.

All told you need 41 general education requirements, 33 major-area credits, and 15-18 minor credits to graduate. You must also take at least 28 elective credits.

You can apply to Middle Tennessee State University online. You must meet the following qualifications for guaranteed admission as a first-year student:

  • Complete the recommended college preparatory courses in high school, including 4 years of English and math, three years of natural sciences, two years of social studies, two years of the same foreign language, and one year of visual and performing arts
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or a minimum ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 1100
  • Pay a $25 application fee

Austin Peay State University

Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts

The Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Austin Peay is designed for two different types of students. First, this program is ideal if you are unsure of what your academic or occupational interests are. And second, this program is also a good option if you have a wide range of interests that cannot be satisfied by a traditional undergraduate program.

The basis of the program is a general education core that all students at Austin Peay must complete regardless of their major. The coursework in the general education core is intended to help you gain foundational skills and knowledge that help you make positive contributions to the workplace, your community, and society in general.

To achieve these ends, you’ll take courses in six core areas:

  • Communications
  • History
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

This curriculum includes some required courses, but many more that you can choose from to meet your specific needs. For example, the communications component requires you to take two courses: English Composition I and Public Speaking. You then have the choice of taking English Composition II or Foundations of Interdisciplinary Thinking.

As another example, you must complete two courses to satisfy the requirements of the social and behavioral sciences component. You can choose from among a list of courses that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Physical Geography
  • American National Government
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Marriage and the Family
  • Women and Culture: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies

You will also complete 18 credits of elective courses of your choice. These electives serve as the concentration area for your degree. You may choose to have multiple concentrations if you wish.

This program is designed to help you develop highly specific skills no matter your area of concentration. You will learn how to think critically as part of your exploration of many different fields of study. You will also learn essential research skills as part of the degree requirements to evaluate and use information to solve problems.

Furthermore, this program focuses on integrative learning and helping you make connections between various subjects while also learning how to creatively solve academic and real-world problems. The program’s emphasis on effective communication skills will give you the tools necessary to express your opinions, improve others’ knowledge, and promote change through oral and written methods.

The undergraduate application for admission to Austin Peay is available online. You must complete the following requirements to be considered for admission as a first-year student:

  • Pay a $25 application fee
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores
  • Provide high school transcripts

For regular, unconditional admission, you must meet these additional requirements:

  • Complete all high school college preparatory courses, including U.S. History
  • Meet one of the following:
    • Have a 2.85 high school GPA or higher
    • Score 20 or higher on the ACT
    • Score 940 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math tests (if you took the test prior to March 2016)
    • Score 1020 or higher on the SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math tests (if you took the test in March 2016 or after
    • Have a GED score of 580 or higher (or 45 or higher if you took the test before January 2002 or 450 or higher if you took the test from January 2002 to December 2013). You must also have a passing notation or HiSET score of at least 45
  • Satisfactory ACT or SAT scores in at least two of the following areas: English, reading, and math
  • No remedial requirements for English, reading, or math

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs from UT-Knoxville allows you to complete your degree whether you have a random collection of undergraduate credits or you have completed an associate’s degree program. In either case, you must have at least 60 college credits to your name to apply to this program.

The flexibility of this program can be seen in the method of delivery. You will take your courses online, which gives you the ultimate freedom to complete your studies when it best fits in your schedule. Furthermore, you get the advantage of having two different interdisciplinary studies concentrations to choose from: Public Policy and Administration or Cultures and Societies.

The Public Policy and Administration concentration focuses on the policy-making and decision-making processes within governments and organizations. You will study the theories and research practices used to inform public policy decisions. You will also study fields like law, conflict resolution, and contemporary issues in public policy. Other topics you might study include the following:

  • Non-Profit Management
  • Economics
  • International Political Economics
  • Political Change in Developing Areas
  • Policy Analysis

Meanwhile, the Cultures and Societies concentration is an ideal option if you wish to have a better understanding of the belief systems, social practices, and social behaviors of people around the world. Your study of these concepts takes place in the context of classes like Bioethics, Religion and Society in North America, and People and the Environment.

In each case, you will learn how to connect different people and their identities. You will examine the diverse points of view of people around the world and take part in comparative studies of people and societies as they pertain to anthropology, the environment, and economics, to name a few.

You can apply to UT-Knoxville online. To do so, you must have at least 60 credits from an accredited institution. You must also have a 2.0 GPA or higher and at least 27 credits of coursework, including 6 credits of English composition, 6 credits of college-level math, 6-8 credits of lab science, and 9 credits of Vol Core requirements. You are also eligible to apply if you have one of the following:

  • Associate of Arts
  • Associate of Fine Arts
  • Associate of Science
  • Associate of Science in Teaching

Returning veterans with at least 45 credits who meet the other requirements for admission will also be considered.

When applying, you must pay a $50 application fee and submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended.

What is a BA in Liberal Studies Good for?

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Studies is a versatile degree that can be valuable in various ways:

  • Developing Core Skills: This degree focuses on developing critical thinking, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. These are fundamental skills that are highly sought after in many fields.
  • Flexibility in Career Choices: Graduates with a BA in Liberal Studies are not limited to a single career path. They can pursue careers in education, writing, journalism, public relations, marketing, human resources, public service, and more.
  • Preparation for Graduate Studies: A liberal studies degree provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in numerous fields, such as law, business, education, or the arts.
  • Enhanced Understanding of Society and Culture: The broad educational spectrum of liberal studies, which often includes humanities, social sciences, and arts, provides a deeper understanding of society, culture, and human behavior.
  • Adaptability: The varied skill set and knowledge base make liberal studies graduates adaptable, which is crucial in today’s rapidly changing job market.
  • Creative and Analytical Thinking: The emphasis on diverse subjects encourages both creative and analytical thinking, skills that are beneficial in problem-solving and decision-making roles.
  • Communication Skills: Strong writing and oral communication skills are nurtured in a liberal studies program, essential for roles in management, media, and other communication-centric careers.
  • Civic and Social Awareness: The degree often involves exploring social issues, ethics, and cultural diversity, preparing graduates for roles in community development, social work, and activism.
  • ntrepreneurial Skills: The diverse skills and knowledge can also be beneficial for entrepreneurial endeavors, as they foster creativity, innovation, and critical thinking.

A BA in Liberal Studies offers a well-rounded education, equipping graduates with a broad skill set and a flexible, adaptable approach that can be applied in various professional contexts.

What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in Tennessee?

There are ample career opportunities in Tennessee as a liberal arts graduate. For example, you might use a liberal arts degree to qualify for a career in higher education. Many non-teaching positions at colleges and universities only require a bachelor’s degree, like working as an admissions counselor. You can advise new students about their degree program, help them map out their course of study, and ensure they are taking the appropriate courses to graduate.

A completely different career option you might consider in Tennessee is working as a researcher. Many businesses and organizations need college-educated workers who are effective in conducting research, be that opposition research for a political candidate or social science research for a social services agency or something in between. A liberal arts degree is solid preparation for a research-based career, given the emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and integrative studies.

Many liberal arts programs have options to study cultures, religions, and societies, and you might use your training in those fields to work for a museum or historical society in Tennessee. These organizations need people to curate collections, preserve cultural resources, and plan events to celebrate cultural heritage. Your coursework in areas like history, sociology, communications, and minority studies can prepare you well for a job in this field.

Yet another career option is in law enforcement and detention services. You might use a liberal arts degree focusing on criminal justice to work as a probation and parole officer for the state of Tennessee. Likewise, you might use studies in this field to serve as a foundation for a career with a Tennessee law enforcement agency or within the Department of Corrections.

As you can see, the possibilities are virtually endless for a career in Tennessee. A liberal arts degree isn’t just flexible in terms of what, where, and how you study. It also gives you career flexibility after you graduate.

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