Open your mind to new ideas.
Open doors to new opportunities.
You’re looking to grow your education and your career. Doing both at the same time can be a challenge, but you understand the value of a college degree and how it can help you achieve your goals.
Rider’s online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is designed for working professionals who seek advanced credentials. Enhance your critical thinking, communication and writing skills as you expand your knowledge base and prepare for the next stage in your career.
Rider University Online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Curriculum
Rider’s online curriculum can equip you with the skills to help you grow professionally. Courses are spread among four different areas of knowledge—including historical perspective, artistic and intellectual perspective, contemporary perspective and natural world. You can even take up to 30 credits outside of liberal arts, giving you the opportunity to explore new interests. Students are able to choose from two concentrations: Social Science or Applied Social Science.
Your online liberal studies courses are taught by a distinguished faculty and industry practitioners who can bring a practical and multidisciplinary approach to your studies. Our professors are available for you and are committed to your academic success.
Liberal Studies Core (6 Credit Hours):
| LIB 200 | Introduction to Liberal Studies | 3 Credits |
| LIB 400 | Seminar in Liberal Studies | 3 Credits |
Basic Core (15 Credit Hours):
| CMP 120 | Expository Writing | 3 Credits |
| CMP 125 | Research Writing | 3 Credits |
| Quantitative Skills | 3 Credits | |
| COM 104 | Speech Communication | 3 Credits |
| CIS 185 | Information Technology | 3 Credits |
Concentration Area (36 Credit Hours):
Students may choose a concentration in either Social Science, Applied Social Science or Applied Social Science with Business Emphasis.
Elective Courses (28-30 Credit Hours)
Free elective credit hours may be taken in any department within the university, subject to the program limit of 30 credits from outside the liberal arts and sciences. Students are encouraged to pursue minors.
*Foreign Language Assessment available to earn credits toward the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program.
Areas of Knowledge (33-35 Credit Hours)
Historical Perspective
Students choose 3 courses from the following disciplines:
- Multicultural America
- Hip Hop and American Culture
- Communication Culture and Media
- Radio and TV Communication
- Sitcoms and American Culture
- Women in Literature
- U.S. Foreign Policy and Security Policy
- Introduction to Gender Studies
- World History to 1500
- World History Since 1500
- 20th Century Europe
- History of Socialism
- Music of the Beatles
- American Presidency
- Theater History to 1700
- Theater History Since 1700
- American Theater History
Artistic and Intellectual Perspective
Students choose 3 courses from the following disciplines:
- American Folklore
- American Pop Culture
- Hip Hop and American Culture
- American Identity in the Arts
- Sitcoms and American Culture
- Women in Literature
- Introduction to Gender Studies
- Ethics
- Philosophy of Law
- Understanding Politics
Contemporary Perspective
Students choose 3 courses from the following disciplines:
- Multicultural America
- American Pop Culture
- Technology and Science in America
- Hip Hop and American Culture
- American Identity in the Arts
- Communication Culture and Media
- Gender and Communication
- Sitcoms and American Culture
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Introduction to Gender Studies
- Introduction to Women’s Studies
- Popular Constructions of Gender and Sexuality
- Homeland Security
- Race, Class, and Gender in American Society
- Business Ethics
- Philosophy of Law
- Medical Ethics
- Introduction to American Politics
- Understanding Politics
- Healthcare Regulation and Governance
- Political Behavior: Fear, Risk, and Crisis
- American Presidency
- Global Issues
- Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
- U.S. Foreign Policy and Security Policy
- Introduction to Psychology
- The Science of Well Being
- The Science of Mental Illness
- Organizational Psychology
- Personality
- Psychology of Women
- Abnormal Psychology
- Child Development
- Youth and Adolescent Development
- Social Psychology
- Psychology of Aging
- Psychology and Law
- Sport Psychology
- Cognitive Development
- Drugs and Human Behavior
- Creativity and Innovation
- Cyberpsychology
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Psychology and Culture
- Positive Psychology
- Death, Dying, and Suicide
- Sociological Imagination
Natural World
Students choose 2 courses from the following disciplines:
- Life Science
- Life Science: Brain and Behavior
- Chemistry and Contemporary Society
- Astronomy
- Drugs and Human Behavior
- Death, Dying and Suicide
Benefits of Your Online BA in Liberal Studies Degree
You’re ready to pursue your goals. We’re here to help you do it. At Rider, we’re committed to your growth, transformation and leadership. We connect you with rigorous academic, artistic and professional programs of study through a flexible online platform.
Prepare to thrive professionally and become a lifelong independent learner. Our people, programs and opportunities focus on helping you build a successful career and rewarding life where you can truly make a difference. That’s the promise of a Rider education.
Study 100% online
Choose from 6 start dates
Transfer up to 90 credits from a combination of 2 year and 4 year institutions
Gain one-on-one access to faculty
The Value of Your Online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
When you graduate with your Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies degree from Rider University, you gain the opportunity to advance further in your career. College graduates ages 25-32 who are working full time earn about $17,500 more annually than employed young adults holding only a high school diploma, according to a Pew Research Center study.
Do more than prove your knowledge — prove your value. Earning your BA in Liberal Studies degree can help give you a competitive advantage to qualify for a variety of roles and open doors to new opportunities.