Liberal Studies

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.
• Online: Students may take courses 100% online.

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.

Learn more about our Liberal Studies major

• Program Requirements
• Course Descriptions
• Admissions
• Tuition and Aid
• Transferring Credits
• Meet the Faculty

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact the Office of University Admissions at 877.840.8599 or enroll@mercer.edu for more information.