Study Liberal Arts in Wisconsin

Thoughts of Wisconsin likely conjure up images of rolling farmland, snowy winters, and hundreds of miles of lake shorelines. And while all those things are true, Wisconsin offers much more, especially in the realm of higher education.

Wisconsin has an extensive public university system anchored by the University of Wisconsin’s flagship campus in Madison. But with multiple other campuses throughout the state, you can take advantage of the largest higher education system in the Badger State no matter where you live. Many other public and private institutions are available as well, including a healthy number with liberal arts bachelor’s programs.

Which program is right for you, though? Start figuring out the answer to that question by exploring this guide highlighting some of the popular options in Wisconsin!

Best Accredited Liberal Arts Bachelor's Degrees and Colleges in Wisconsin Online

Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Programs in Wisconsin

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

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • University of Wisconsin Whitewater
  • Concordia University Wisconsin
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
  • Lawrence University
  • Northland College
  • St. Norbert College

The University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bachelor of Science – Individual Major (IM)

The Individual Major option at UW-Madison is a customizable Bachelor of Science program specifically designed for students whose academic interests encompass multiple fields of study.

While this program is extremely flexible, it isn’t a free-for-all, either. The courses you select must adhere to a coherent pattern of studies across multiple departments in the College of Letters & Science. Furthermore, your proposed program must be approved by a faculty committee before your studies commence. Program approval isn’t guaranteed, either, so it’s prudent to have a backup plan should your proposed Individual Major not be approved.

The general education requirements for this degree are straightforward:

  • 6 credits in Humanities, Literature, and/or Arts
  • 4-6 credits in Natural Sciences
  • 3 credits in Social Studies
  • 6 credits in Communications
  • 3 credits in Ethnic Studies
  • 6 credits in Quantitative Reasoning

You will hone your skills and abilities even further by completing intermediate and advanced coursework in the College of Letters & Science, including your proposed Individual Major. Your major must include 30 credits or more. You can pursue an honors degree if you take 36 or more credits in your major and complete these courses with a B or better.

What you study in your major is up to you, with the approval of the university, of course. It’s your responsibility to develop the proposal for your major, which must be submitted in writing to the College of Letters & Science. This written proposal cannot be a simple list of the courses you wish to take; it must narrate what you want to study and why and how it differs from any currently available major at UW-Madison.

Once you have determined what to study, you must procure a College of Letters & Science faculty member to serve as your advisor. Your advisor will then assist in building the major, reviewing and selecting courses, and otherwise guide your progression through the learning process.

You must already be a student at UW-Madison to apply to this program. A 2.0 GPA is required for consideration. When applying, you must include the following documentation:

  • An application form for an Individual Major
  • A cover letter describing your areas of interest and why an Individual Major is necessary
  • A list of courses you wish to include in your major, including an explanation of how the courses apply to your proposed major
  • A letter of recommendation from your Individual Major Advisor
  • A copy of your current unofficial transcript

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies is an online program designed for interdisciplinary studies. Rather than focusing on a single major, you will take part in a wide range of academic pursuits, the result of which is a well-rounded degree that helps prepare you for any number of careers after graduation.

Not only is this program completely online with no on-campus requirements, but it’s also customizable. You can choose either a focus area or minor to supplement the general liberal studies courses you take. The focus area or minor is up to you, with the guidance of your academic advisor to help.

The program includes four requirements in addition to the focus area or minor:

  • Contextual courses that prepare you for success in liberal studies
  • Skills courses that enhance your ability to write well, speak well, and analyze information
  • Content courses that give you a solid background in history, arts, humanities, and other fields
  • Experience courses that take you into the real world for field-based learning

For example, you will take a Seminar in Liberal Studies course to start the program. This course sets you up for success by exploring liberal arts studies and techniques in detail. Then, at the end of your degree program, you will participate in a Capstone in Liberal Studies course. This course serves as a summative exercise in which you reflect on your learning and how you can use your degree to improve your life and the lives of those around you.

Skills courses focus on the practical and essential skills of liberal studies. You will take courses that bolster your computer and technology skills, analytical skills, and creative expression. Foreign language courses are also part of this set of classes.

Content courses include studies of North American and European culture, global studies, and natural sciences. These classes offer you a solid base of understanding of the physical and social components of historical and modern life.

The experience courses pertain to internships and travel studies. You can choose internships close to home or far away and elect to study abroad, too, if you like. These learning experiences are coordinated with UW-Whitewater to ensure you maximize your learning opportunities while in the field.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Complete a high school college preparatory curriculum including 4 units of English, 3 units of math, science, and social science, and 4 units of academic electives.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or GED scores

Concordia University Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at Concordia University Wisconsin is an interdisciplinary program requiring 120-121 credits to graduate. Like the other options on this list, this program presents you with multiple areas of inquiry as opposed to a single major. If you have a deep love of learning and are interested in various fields of study, this is the degree for you.

The program is broken into several categories of studies, the first of which is the university core requirements. You must complete 45 credits of core courses, which include introductory studies in math, science, humanities, and other core areas. You must also complete 19 credits of elective courses. These courses help round out your studies and give you greater flexibility to study topics of the most interest to you.

The bulk of your studies will be in the major field. You have wide latitude when selecting the courses to fulfill this requirement. For example, you must take six credits of history courses, meaning you can choose two of the three following options:

  • American Civilization
  • Non-Western World
  • Historical Methods

As another example, you have to complete two credits of physical health and wellness courses. Any of the following satisfy this requirement:

  • Wellness Boot Camp
  • School and Community Health
  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • Psychology of Sport
  • Nutrition for Wellness and Performance
  • Technology in Health and Human Performance
  • Motor Development

Other required areas of study include social science, natural science, philosophy, and communications, to name a few.

Fortunately for you, Concordia University offers highly specialized courses that allow you to explore academic areas that you might not be able to at other schools. For example, you can take Oceanography to fulfill the natural sciences requirement, Aesthetics to fulfill part of the art requirement, and Coding to fulfill part of the mathematics and computer science requirements.

You can apply to Concordia University online at any time. The requirements are the same whether you are a first-year student or a transfer:

  • Submit the online application for admission
  • Pay the $25 application fee (which is applied toward paying your tuition upon acceptance)
  • Submit official high school transcripts
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
  • Submit official ACT or SAT scores

A test optional admissions process is available as well. Contact an admissions counselor at Concordia to discuss this option.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science – Multidisciplinary

The Multidisciplinary Degree from UW-Stevens Point is available as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. These degrees are offered on campus as part of a traditional four-year undergraduate program.

Developing this degree includes proposing your major using a unique collection of courses offered at UW-Stevens Point. The courses you select must be interdisciplinary, but they must also be related in some way, providing coherence to your program of study. And while you don’t have to propose or declare your major immediately, you do have to declare your intent to major in Multidisciplinary Studies prior to earning 75 undergraduate credits (including any transfer credits).

It’s your responsibility to create a major proposal. In doing so, you must confer with advisors from the departments in which you will be studying. Likewise, you must consult with the Coordinator of the School of Humanities and Global Studies to ensure your proposed major adheres to the departmental and university requirements for graduation.

The two degree options – a B.A. and B.S. – differ slightly. The B.A. option requires you to complete a two-semester sequence of foreign language. You must have a minimum 2.75 GPA to enter the program and a 3.0 GPA to graduate. The B.A. degree is conferred by the School of Humanities and Global Studies.

The B.S. option omits the foreign language requirement. Instead, you will replace those two courses with additional studies in your major field. Again, you must have a 2.75 GPA to begin the program and a 3.0 GPA to graduate. This degree is also conferred by the School of Humanities and Global Studies.

No matter which path you choose, you’ll develop high-level, in-demand skills in a flexible program designed specifically to prepare you for a diverse workforce. You will exit the program with the ability to analyze information, respect cultural diversity, and communicate effectively. You will also have a broadly diverse knowledge of many different academic fields.

First-year applicants must complete a high school curriculum including 4 years of English, 3 years of math, social science, and natural science, and four years of academic electives to be considered for admission. Other factors, listed below, might also be considered:

  • Class rank
  • ACT or SAT test scores
  • Cumulative high school GPA
  • The rigor of your high school classes
  • The trend of your grades over time
  • Demonstrated leadership
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities, work experience, and volunteerism
  • Personal accomplishments and characteristics, including honors and awards, special abilities, and talents
  • Your background and life circumstances

Furthermore, you must provide official copies of your high school transcripts and transcripts from any colleges or universities where you have earned credit.

Is University of Wisconsin a Liberal School?

The University of Wisconsin, particularly its flagship campus in Madison, is not a liberal arts school in the traditional sense but rather a comprehensive public research university. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including liberal arts disciplines, but its scope extends far beyond that of a typical liberal arts college.

Within its College of Letters & Science, UW-Madison provides a robust liberal arts education, offering majors and courses in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and more.

How Valuable is a Liberal Arts Degree?

The value of a liberal arts degree is multifaceted and can be quite significant, though it may not always be immediately apparent in the same way as degrees with a direct vocational focus. Here are several key aspects to consider:

  • Development of Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: Liberal arts education is particularly strong in cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. These are universally valued abilities in many fields and are crucial for adapting to various professional environments.
  • Communication Skills: Students of liberal arts often excel in written and verbal communication, skills highly prized in virtually every profession. The ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively is a significant asset in the workplace.
  • Adaptability and Versatility: A liberal arts degree doesn’t tie graduates to a single career path. Instead, it prepares them for a wide range of jobs and careers. Graduates can adapt to different roles and industries, an increasingly valuable trait in a rapidly changing job market.
  • Preparation for Graduate Studies: Many liberal arts graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in various fields, including law, business, education, and the sciences. Their broad undergraduate education provides a solid foundation for specialized graduate studies.
  • Civic and Global Engagement: Liberal arts education often emphasizes global awareness, ethical reasoning, and civic engagement, preparing graduates to participate effectively and responsibly in society.
  • Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning: Beyond career preparation, a liberal arts education fosters personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. These are qualities that contribute to an individual’s overall well-being and success beyond the workplace.
  • Employability in Diverse Fields: Graduates with liberal arts degrees can be found in a wide array of fields, including education, business, public service, the arts, and technology sectors. Their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to various situations makes them valuable to employers in a wide range of industries.
  • Changing Career Dynamics: In the modern career landscape, where individuals often change careers multiple times and many jobs require a broad skill set rather than specific technical skills, the versatility of a liberal arts degree can be particularly advantageous.

What are the Liberal Arts Career Opportunities in Wisconsin?

On its own, a degree in liberal arts can prepare you for many different types of jobs in Wisconsin. For example, you might use your studies in various areas to pursue a career as a private or charter school teacher. In many instances, private and charter schools do not require teachers to be licensed, so you can immediately begin teaching upon the completion of your liberal arts degree.

If education isn’t of interest to you, you might consider a career in public relations. Companies of all shapes and sizes constantly pursue an improved public image. Your background in the liberal arts, particularly studies in communications, psychology, sociology, and marketing, can help you be a highly effective public relations specialist for a Wisconsin-based business.

An interest in business can lead to a career as a business analyst, too. Business analysts are responsible for helping companies identify problems or paint points by examining data. Using that data, you can propose interventions to address the business’s issues that expand across departments. Your skills in analysis, problem-solving, and teamwork will come in handy in this type of career.

You aren’t limited to a career in business with a liberal arts degree, though. You might focus on performing arts and seek a career with a ballet company or theater company in Madison, Milwaukee, or Green Bay. Alternatively, you might focus your studies in an area like photography and build a career as a studio photographer, sports photographer, or staff photographer for a Wisconsin newspaper.

Not all career options are made alike, though. It’s prudent to consider all the options you have before you begin your course of study. Doing so enables you to focus on areas of interest to you, but also areas that will help you start a career and make a good living for years and years to come.

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