Study Liberal Arts in New York

Whether you live in the Empire State or not, you can get a liberal arts undergraduate degree from a New York-based school. There are dozens of options across the state, including many in the New York City metropolitan area. If you prefer to earn your degree online, that’s an option, too!

You can also choose from programs from esteemed institutions, like New York University and the City University of New York. With so many schools and programs available in this field, the most difficult task might be choosing the right program for your needs. That’s where this guide comes in.

Below is an overview of some of the popular liberal arts programs in New York. Explore these programs in detail to get a step ahead in your college search!

Best Accredited Liberal Arts Colleges and Bachelor's Programs in New York Online

Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in New York

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

  • City University of New York
  • Empire State University
  • The New School
  • New York University
  • Barnard College
  • Hamilton College
  • Colgate University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

City University of New York

Online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Liberal Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from the City University of New York is an online program open to first-year and transfer students alike. The University has articulation agreements with numerous community colleges in New York, so you might be able to transfer your credits to this program more easily.

As is typical for liberal arts programs, there is not a singular topical focus of study. Instead, you will explore a wide variety of disciplines ranging from English to music to philosophy. You will take courses in history, math, and the social and natural sciences as well. Of course, your study of these fields occurs in the context of your preferred concentration: History and Global Studies, Literature and Communication, or Ethics and Quantitative Reasoning.

Some of the courses you might take include the following:

  • Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning
  • Ethics in the Workplace
  • International Migration and Ethnicity
  • College Writing
  • Critical Thinking

In taking these and other liberal arts classes, you will develop a broad base of knowledge in many subjects. You will also develop critical soft skills that are important for the vast majority of academic studies and careers, including quantitative analysis, written and verbal communication, and the ability to collaborate with others.

You will supplement these courses with electives that closely align with your educational and career goals. For example, if you are interested in math, you might supplement your studies in quantitative reasoning with coursework in trigonometry or calculus. Alternatively, if you are passionate about music, you might explore courses in musical composition and music theory.

Aside from meeting the requirements for coursework, you must also complete a capstone experience. This experience is intended to promote reflection on the knowledge and skills you learn throughout the program. You will present your findings in an ePortfolio toward the end of the program.

To apply, you must have already earned at least 24 college credits from a regionally accredited college or university. You also need a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher. Likewise, you must provide the following when you submit your application:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • A 250-word personal essay
  • A $70 non-refundable application fee

Empire State University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Liberal Studies

Empire State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is another top option for completing your collegiate studies in New York. This program promotes the development of academic skills in a broad range of areas, from critical analysis to problem-solving to written communication.

However, outside of these focus areas, you have the freedom to develop a program that fits your needs. Empire State provides you with expert mentors who can guide your program development to ensure you take the most appropriate courses for your goals. Your mentor will also help you stay on track to graduate by taking courses that satisfy specific graduation requirements.

More specifically, the core coursework you will undertake is in the following five domains:

  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information and Digital Literacy
  • Quantitative Literacy
  • Social Responsibility

In addition to studies in these core areas, you must take a breadth and depth of courses in the liberal arts and sciences. These fields, which include anthropology, psychology, and biology, among others, help you build the broad interdisciplinary subject matter expertise that’s expected of a liberal arts graduate.

You can also mold this program to highly specific interests. For example, if you are especially interested in a particular field or issue like human cognition, you can use that as the focus of your studies by taking courses in psychology and philosophy. As another example, you might structure your program of study around seminal books in a field that’s of interest to you – art, politics, philosophy, literature, and so on.

Empire State University bills this program as one that’s flexible to meet your specific needs – which is clear given the liberties you have with devising your program. By completing the coursework outlined above and electives of your choice, you can build a bespoke learning program that allows you to finish your undergraduate degree, explore issues of critical importance, and prepare you for the world of work all at the same time.

You can apply to this program online to get the admissions process underway. You will need to provide the following when applying:

  • A completed application for admission
  • A non-refundable $50 orientation fee
  • Proof that you completed high school
  • Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended

Empire State University accepts applications until August 1st for the fall term and December 8th for the spring term.

The New School

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Liberal Arts

The New School takes an innovative approach to a liberal arts education – you can earn either a B.A. or B.S. in liberal arts by completing the course requirements on campus or online on a full-time or part-time basis. But these aren’t the only unique features of this program

The New School has designed this degree as an adult bachelor’s. That is, it’s meant for non-traditional adult and transfer students who might have started their degree in the past and need a flexible program to complete their studies. As a program for more experienced students, you will find a high level of academic rigor and a lot of flexibility for completing your degree.

For example, you are free to design the bulk of your degree program to fit your specific needs. Your Core Faculty Advisor will help you along the way, providing guidance and feedback as necessary to ensure you fulfill the requirements for graduation. Likewise, the New School requires you to take a Pathways to Learning course during your first semester, during which you’ll explore your educational goals and outline your plan of study accordingly.

Another layer of flexibility the New School has built into this program is its transfer policy. Of the 120 credits required to graduate, the New School will accept up to 84 as transfer credit. Moreover, you might earn credit for prior experiences such as:

  • College-level study
  • Work experience
  • Military service
  • Foreign language proficiency
  • Independent research
  • Artistic and creative pursuits

You can earn up to 30 credits for your degree from prior learning experiences.  The following guidelines are pertinent for applying to the New School:

  • Submit a completed application and a $50 non-refundable application fee
  • Complete a personal statement explaining why you wish to attend the New School. You will also outline your academic and/or professional accomplishments and identify five courses you wish to take.
  • Submit a resume
  • Submit a letter of recommendation (this is optional, though)
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended

The New School no longer requires ACT or SAT scores as part of the application. However, you are free to submit scores if you feel they will further your case for becoming a New School student.

New York University

Global Liberal Studies (GLS)

New York University offers multiple liberal arts undergraduate programs, including its Global Liberal Studies bachelor’s degree. This program is unique among those included on this list because it has a global focus. In particular, you will study the world’s major cultural traditions, how they differ from one another, and how they are connected, too.

The program’s first year includes three mandatory courses:

  • Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity and Arts and Cultures Towards the Crossroads
  • Global Works and Society: Antiquity and Global Works and Society in a Changing World
  • Global Writing Seminar

Additionally, you can choose to spend the first year of the program at the NYU campus in New York City or at one of NYU’s satellite campuses in Washington, D.C., London, England, or Florence, Italy. If you prefer not to study abroad your first year, you will have the opportunity to do so again your junior year during a mandatory study abroad year. That experience can be completed at one of nine sites around the world, including Paris, Buenos Aires, and Abu Dhabi, among many others.

You can tailor your liberal arts education by choosing among seven distinct concentration areas:

  • Art, Text, and Media
  • Critical Creative Production
  • Cultural and Social Identities
  • Economy and Society
  • Law, Ethics, History, and Religion
  • Politics, Rights, and Development
  • Sustainability, Health, and the Environment

Each of these concentration areas gives you the opportunity to develop targeted knowledge and skills that are helpful for continuing your education in a master’s program or seeking employment after graduating with your bachelor’s degree.

Regardless of which concentration area you choose, you are required to complete 128 credits of coursework over four years. Some of the courses you take might include Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity, Latin American Cultures, or Globalization and the Internet.

Also among these credits are elective courses that can satisfy the requirements of additional academic honors, like a minor or a second major. You can also choose to pair this degree with an accelerated master of arts program that allows you to earn your B.A. and M.A. in just five years.

You will use the Common Application if applying to this program as a first-year student. To complete the application process, you must provide the following:

  • Standardized test scores (if applicable)
  • A self-reported academic record
  • Records of any college-level coursework you’ve completed that doesn’t show on your high school transcripts
  • The Common Application Mid-Year Report that shows your updated academic records from the first semester of your senior year in high school
  • English language testing, if applicable

Is Liberal Arts a BA or BS?

Liberal arts degrees can be either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), depending on the specific program and institution. The distinction typically lies in the curriculum focus and course requirements.

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts: This is the more traditional route for a liberal arts degree. BA programs typically emphasize a broader education in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Students pursuing a BA in liberal arts often take a variety of courses in subjects like literature, history, languages, philosophy, and the arts. The BA degree usually requires more coursework in languages and humanities.
  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Liberal Arts: A BS in liberal arts is less common but is offered by some institutions. These programs might have a greater emphasis on quantitative and scientific methods within the context of a liberal arts education. Students might engage more in subjects like mathematics, natural sciences, and data analysis, in addition to traditional liberal arts courses. The BS degree typically requires more coursework in math and science.

Both degrees value a well-rounded education, but the BA leans more towards humanities and the BS towards scientific and quantitative analysis within the context of a liberal arts education.

What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in New York?

As one of the most populous states in the nation, New York offers more work opportunities for liberal arts graduates than most. This is especially true in urban areas like New York City, where the job market is significantly more robust than in rural areas of the state.

The jobs you might pursue with your degree in liberal arts really depend on your area of concentration. For example, if most of your coursework focuses on art and art history, you might seek employment as a museum curator or archivist or perhaps an art gallery director. With around 1,400 art galleries in New York City alone, you might find an abundance of career opportunities in this field.

Careers in content creation and journalism might be open to you as well. Many liberal arts programs have a distinct focus on communication, so you might have the requisite knowledge and skills to become a writer for a print or online publication in New York. Likewise, you might use your writing skills to start a freelance career in which you help businesses and organizations create content for websites and social media channels.

If you take courses that focus on psychology, business, and management, you might find that you’re qualified for a career in human resources. With more than 250,000 businesses in New York City and thousands more throughout the state, there is often a need for qualified human resources workers.

While your undergraduate degree in liberal arts might not qualify you for a top-level job in all businesses and industries, it is often excellent preparation for an entry-level career. With work experience and perhaps some additional education or training, you can likely move up the ladder to a position with more responsibilities and a higher salary, too.

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