Liberal Studies

  • College

    College of Professional Advancement

  • Department

    Liberal Studies

  • Degree

    B.A.

  • Location

    Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County, Macon

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Develop essential skills with an interdisciplinary approach to learning

Mercer’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is a self-designed degree program that prepares working adults for career change, professional advancement, graduate school admissions, and professional education such as law school, while providing personal enrichment. Students engage in interdisciplinary learning through a combination of Liberal Studies core courses and study in multiple disciplines.

Interdisciplinary studies involves the combination of two or more academic disciplines to cross traditional boundaries and think for new and emerging needs.

Students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor to customize their degree to align with their educational and professional goals. By designing their major from a variety of concentrations, students learn across multiple disciplines and develop the communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills required in today’s workplace. The in-depth curriculum enhances students’ ability to think constructively about themselves, their society, and the world. The structure of our Liberal Studies program further enables students to accelerate their progress toward degree completion by applying transfer credits.

The degree concentrations include but are not limited to:

  • American Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Education Studies
  • Historical Studies
  • Humanities
  • Literary Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Pre-Law Studies
  • Religious Studies
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Women’s and Gender Studies
  • Writing

As a unique feature of the B.A. in Liberal Studies, students may work with a faculty advisor to develop individualized concentrations.

Designed for busy and working adults

Many students at Mercer earn their degrees while balancing work, family, personal, and academic responsibilities. We offer the B.A. in Liberal Studies in convenient and flexible formats to make it easier for students to pursue their higher education goals.

  • Blended: Students may earn their degree through a blended combination of online and in-person meetings at Mercer’s Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County, or Macon location.
  • On Campus: Students may take courses in person at Mercer’s Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County, or Macon location.

There are two eight-week sessions during fall and spring, and one eight-week and one four-week session during summer. Students attend classes once a week for eight weeks, enabling them to comfortably maintain a work-life balance. The B.A. in Liberal Studies admits students in January, March, May, August, and October.

Showcase your knowledge through an ePortfolio

During the program, each student has the opportunity to create an ePortfolio to narrate their learning experience. The ePortfolio provides a digital space to compile learning experiences and make connections between courses and the larger goals of interdisciplinary inquiry. Upon completion of their ePortfolio, students may use it as a career portfolio to showcase their skills and work samples in future professional settings.

View ePortfolios from Liberal Studies students
April Cantrell, Concentration in Writing and Minor in Literary Studies
Brooke Adams, Concentrations in Literary Studies and Historical Studies
Donna Johnson, Concentration in Historical Studies
Kerry-Ann, Concentrations in Human Resources and Communication Studies
Paris Hunt, Concentrations in Education Studies and Literary Studies
Zachary Williams, Concentrations in Communication Studies and Writing

An interdisciplinary education offers many career options

According to research findings by the Association of American Colleges & Universities, employers want employees who demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, show a capacity for new learning, demonstrate oral and written communication abilities, and can work in diverse and intercultural environments. Liberal Studies majors gain these competencies and can consider various occupations because of the range of topics covered throughout program.

Graduates of Mercer’s B.A. in Liberal Studies can pursue roles in fields such as:

  • Government and Public Service
  • Legal
  • Nonprofit
  • Politics
  • Professional Ministry
  • Writing and Editing

Students are also prepared for graduate and professional study in areas such as:

  • Communication
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Theology

Learn more about our Liberal Studies major

Ready to take the next step?

Select your preferred location below to schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact the Office of University Admissions at 877.840.8599 or enroll@mercer.edu for more information.

Atlanta Douglas County Henry County Macon

Mercer faculty members gave me many perspectives of modern challenges and taught me to think critically in today’s world, using interdisciplinary experiences to look at others through art, culture, religion, and globalization.

April Cantrell, B.A. in Liberal Studies, '20

April Cantrell

The Liberal Studies program helped me understand how to connect what I’ve learned with my personal and business life. It prepared me for graduate school by teaching me great discipline and enhancing my research and writing skills.

Cameisha Smart, B.A. in Liberal Studies, '19 | M.S. in Human Services, '22

Cameisha Smart

Mercer offers so much support to students. The faculty and staff really want to see you succeed. Mercer gave me the flexibility of taking classes online and on the weekends while keeping my full-time job. That’s a benefit to me and my family.

Tracie Tarpley, B.A. in Liberal Studies, ’18

Mercer helped me to hone my skills, to be more critical and decisive, and to be more confident in my ability to express myself. I was encouraged to try new paths, to explore new thoughts just to see where they may lead, and that carries over still in my work and in private life.

Stephanie Jackson, B.A. in Liberal Studies, ’17

Meet Our Professors

Dedicated and invested faculty lead students to think critically and creatively as they interpret texts, ideas, and issues associated with their program of study.