Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
Degree Overview
A liberal arts education is designed to give you an introduction to arts, culture, business, and more to help you better understand and find your place in the world.
The online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (A.A.) from Virginia Wesleyan University offers you the general education and career skills you need to prepare for a bachelor’s degree or seek an entry-level job in business, social services, administration and management positions, and much more. It is a stackable credential that can make you more valuable in your current job or open the door to many future options.
Professionally focused, as opposed to research focused, the A.A. program is geared toward working adults. This is an opportunity to study at a national liberal arts institution in a student-centered, highly supportive environment. The coursework will empower you to become a strong thinker, communicator, innovator, and global citizen.
You will be exposed to a variety of perspectives and approaches that will prepare you for the complexities of the global marketplace as you gain a foundation that will help you adapt as fields and jobs shift to follow market trends.
When you complete the online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts program, you will be able to:
- Make critical use of a variety of perspectives.
- Create your own perspectives informed by thoughtful analysis.
- Make effective oral presentations.
- Participate actively in critical dialogue
As an online student, you’ll receive the quality curriculum Virginia Wesleyan University is known for, plus the flexibility to learn at your pace as you complete your degree in as little as 24-48 months.
Program Details
- 05/20/2024
Next Start Date - 60
Total Degree Credit Hours
- Program Length
2 - 4 years - $399
Cost Per Credit Hour
Course Information
General Education is the component of the degree that all students share. The requirements include both a scholarly core experience and a broad array of courses from across the university. The core provides students a common sequence of courses that form a foundation for their education and that will serve them throughout their lives. The breadth requirement ensures a well-rounded education.
The online Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts (A.A.L.A) program requires the completion of 60 credits. Because courses can carry different numbers of credits, course selection by each student will determine the total number of courses required for the degree.
Core Requirements
- ENG 105 - The Art of Writing (4 credits)
- GER 370 - The History of German Cinema (4 credits)
- WES 100 - Wesleyan Seminar I (3 credits)
- WES 200 - Wesleyan Seminar II (3 credits)
- WES 300 - Wesleyan Seminar III (3 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (Creative Arts, 3 or 4 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (upper-level Humanities) (3 or 4 credits)
- Arts and Humanities course (3 or 4 credits)
- Mathematical Sciences course (3 or 4 credits)
- Natural Sciences with Laboratory course (3 or 4 credits)
- Social Sciences course (traditional social science, 3 or 4 credits)
- Social Sciences course (3 or 4 credits)
- Social Sciences course (3 or 4 credits)
Requirements (60 Credits)
- English Composition (one course, 4 credits)
- Foreign Language/Cultural Proficiency (one course, 4-12 credits)
- Wesleyan Seminar I (one course, 3-4 credits)
- Wesleyan Seminar II (one course, 3-4 credits)
- Wesleyan Seminar III (one course, 3-4 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (three courses, must include at least one creative arts course and one upper-level Humanities course, 9-12 credits)
- Mathematical Sciences (one course, 3-4 credits)
- Natural Sciences with Laboratory (one course, 3-4 credits)
- Social Sciences and Professional Studies (three courses, must include at least one course in the traditional social sciences, 9-12 credits)
- Electives (3-6 courses depending on credits, 12-16 credits)
Creative Arts
- ART 205 - Drawing I (4 credits)
- ART 208 - Photography I (4 credits)
- MUS 120 - Music and the Brain (4 credits)
- TH 220 - Technical Theatre (4 credits)
Upper-Level Humanities
- ARTH 360 - Comics and Graphic Novels (4 credits)
- COMM 325 - Organizational Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 326 - Persuasion and the Media (4 credits)
- ENG 317 - Children’s Literature (4 credits)
- FR 327 - France Today (4 credits)
- SPAN 318 - Civilization of Latin America (4 credits)
Mathematical Sciences
- CS 112 - Computer Programming (4 credits)
- CS 212 - Computer Programming II (4 credits)
- MATH 104 - Algebra and its Applications (3 credits)
- MATH 210 - Statistics (4 credits)
Natural Sciences with Laboratory
- BIO 100 - World of Biology (4 credits)
- BIO 150 - Marine Biology (4 credits)
- CHEM 109 - Chemistry and Society (4 credits)
- EES 133 - Environmental Geology with lab (4 credits)
- EES 200 - Oceanography (4 credits)
- ENVS 107 - Environmental Biology (4 credits)
Social Sciences and Professional Studies (three courses, must include at least one course in the traditional social sciences, 9-12 credits)
Traditional Social Sciences
- HIST 220 - The Civil War and Reconstruction (4 credits)
- POLS 112 - Introduction to American Government (4 credits)
- SOC 235 - Diversity and Society (4 credits)
Professional Studies
- CJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (4 credits)
- ISP 105 - Information Systems and Computer Applications (4 credits)
- ISP 205 - Database Management Systems (4 credits)
- MBE 100 - Introduction to Economics (4 credits)
- MBE 101 - Introduction to Business (4 credits)
- MBE 201 - Introductory Macroeconomics (4 credits)
- MBE 202 - Introductory Microeconomics (4 credits)
- SW 201 - Introduction to Social Work (4 credits)
- SW 251 - Diversity and Social Problems in Social Work (4 credits)
- SE 384 - Drugs of Abuse (4 credits)
Other Elective Options
- ARTH 232 - Renaissance to 20th-Century Art (4 credits)
- CLAS 210 - Roman History (4 credits)
- COMM 222 - Public Speaking (4 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology I (4 credits)
- PSY 102 - Introduction to Psychology II (4 credits)
- Elective Courses: 3-6 credits of your choosing
Career Outcomes
Graduates will be prepared to take their career paths in a wide variety of directions, whether by getting preparation for a bachelor’s degree or becoming more valuable in their employment and organization, or making new and different opportunities.
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Enhance Your Career
Get the skills and knowledge that can help you move up in your current job or change your career entirely.
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Prepare for a Bachelor’s Degree
The online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (A.A.) from Virginia Wesleyan University offers the core courses you need to prepare for a bachelor's degree and complete it more quickly.
Why VWU Online
Successful Alumni
More than 90 percent of our alumni are working or in graduate school within 1 year of graduation.
Highly Qualified Faculty
90 percent of our professors have attained the highest degree in their fields.
Military-Friendly
Virginia Wesleyan University is a Yellow Ribbon school, and we have a dedicated Veterans Service Team.
Streamlined Admission
Admission decisions are made on the basis of a review of the applicant's undergraduate transcript. No SAT, ACT, or GMAT required!
How to Apply
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts program at Virginia Wesleyan University, students must:
- Complete our online application.
- Provide high school diploma.
- Present a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher if transferring.
Financial Aid
There may be financial aid options available to you when you apply for an online program at Virginia Wesleyan University.
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