Associate of 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 Liberal Arts 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 Associate of Liberal Arts 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 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

01/27/2025
Next Start Date
60
Total Degree Credit Hours
Program Length
2 - 4 years
$399
Cost Per Credit Hour

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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 Associate of Liberal Arts 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.

Requirements (60 Credits)

English Composition
ENG 105: The Art of Writing, 4 credits
Foreign Language/Cultural Proficiency
Any Foreign Language/Cultural Proficiency course, 4-12 credits
Wesleyan Seminar I
Any WES 100, 3-4 credits
Wesleyan Seminar II
Any WES 200, 3-4 credits
Wesleyan Seminar III
Any WES 300, 3-4 credits
Arts and Humanities
Must include at least one creative arts course and one upper-level Humanities course, 6-8 credits
Mathematical Sciences
Any Mathematical Science breadth course, 3-4 credits
Natural Sciences with Laboratory
Any Natural Sciences with laboratory breadth course, 3-4 credits
Social Sciences and Professional Studies
Must include at least one course in the traditional social sciences, 6-8 credits
Electives
Any course listed above or any other course that is not being used to satisfy another requirement may also be counted as an elective, 19-28 credits

Note: Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Up to 32 credit hours may be brought in through transfer credit or credit for prior experience and up to 64 credit hours may be earned in the Associate of Liberal Arts program prior to transferring to a Baccalaureate program.

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.

Enhance Your Career

Get the skills and knowledge that can help you move up in your current job or change your career entirely.

Prepare for a Bachelor’s Degree

The online Associate of Liberal Arts from Virginia Wesleyan University offers the core courses you need to prepare for a bachelor's degree and complete it more quickly.