Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Build a customized undergraduate degree program based on your academic and professional goals with the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. Flexible by design, this interdisciplinary, 123-credit program delivers a broad-based liberal arts degree comprised of upper-level coursework to align with students’ academic or professional goals. The program is intended to give nontraditional students the opportunity to tailor their studies, work at their own pace and expand their career options. 

The Liberal Studies BA reacclimates students to the academic environment while maintaining their full-time careers. Coursework helps you develop your analytical, critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills to propel your career to the next level.

Gain credits for courses you have already completed and for your existing work experience. You can earn up to six credits for professional experience, published works or non-credit certificate programs completed prior to enrollment by submitting a Life Experience Portfolio. Classes are offered in person at Temple’s Main Campus, as well as its Ambler and Center City campuses, with select courses offered online.

Tracks

You can choose between the Humanities or Social Sciences tracks, and within each track, you’ll choose to concentrate in a single subject area. All students complete three core liberal arts courses.

Each track allows students to select a concentration of five courses from a single department, as well as four courses from other departments within their chosen track. For example, students in the Humanities track who choose to concentrate their coursework in Greek and Roman classics will complete five Greek and Roman classics courses and four humanities courses. Students in the Social Sciences track who choose to concentrate their coursework in anthropology will complete five anthropology courses and four social sciences courses.

Two students read a paper together.

Classes & Curriculum

The Liberal Studies Major is structured so students can customize their course of study. All students complete the following required courses. 

  • Approaches to Liberal Studies, 
  • Critical Thinking in Psychology or Critical Thinking, and
  • Reading Culture

Additional required courses may vary, depending on if you choose the Humanities or Social Science track. 

Learn more about Liberal Studies Major courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $18,864.00 per year
Out-of-state: $33,912.00 per year

LA-LIBS-BA

Additional Program Information