BA in Liberal Studies
Complete Your Degree in a Community of Learners
If you're seeking personal and professional change, you've found the degree program that will help you take the next step. Our program offers a strong foundation through flexible coursework, experiential learning, and individualized advising. You can balance your busy life and work schedule with an education focused on critical thinking, social justice, and applied learning, not one-size-fits-all tests. Join our powerful community of engaged adult students of all backgrounds, and acquire the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to meet your personal and professional goals.
Program Overview
Our liberal studies courses inspire our students to become independent lifelong learners with the ability to think critically about the social issues that influence their lives. By linking knowledge to agency and action, our program will support your commitment to social justice and personal responsibility in our communities and the world at large. An advisor will be assigned to work with you personally in order to tailor a degree plan that realizes your specific academic goals and passions. Students in this degree program can tailor their studies to their interests by choosing from seven areas of concentration: Business Management, Child Development and Education, Creative Writing, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Queer Studies, and Spiritual Studies.
All Antioch courses and other learning activities are assessed through narrative evaluations written by the instructor at the end of the term. However, if you need a grade equivalent in order to be reimbursed for tuition by your employer, to apply for certain grants or scholarships, or for admission to graduate programs that require letter grades, Antioch provides grade equivalents for those purposes.
Areas of Concentration
The BA in Liberal Studies degree offers the option of students choosing a focused area of study, referred to as an Area of Concentration. Students are not required to choose a concentration, but if they do complete 24 credits in their chosen concentration, it will appear on the official transcript.
Study Business for the Greater Good
Antioch’s Business Management Concentration is designed to help students develop the knowledge to succeed in and critique the professions they will enter and lead. The courses in this concentration highlight the potential for business to contribute to the work of social change. Business Management Concentration students examine the strategies of nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits, the individuals and organizations that foster entrepreneurial change in the social sector, and the innovative business practices that affect positive social outcomes.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options. You can also earn this degree by attending in-person business & management courses at our Santa Barbara campus.
Program Overview
Antioch’s BA in Liberal Studies with a Business Management concentration asks students to explore the application of business principles needed to build and strengthen human and social enterprises; build a foundation to understand and lead change in a diverse and complex culture; and develop skills for innovative leadership. Those who already have experience in business and management may qualify to earn additional credits through Prior Learning projects.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits in the Business Management Concentration. These units can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Length of Program
The length of time it will take a student to complete a degree depends upon (1) the number of credits transferred into the program and (2) the number of credit hours taken each term. By applying credit from previous undergraduate work, you can finish this program in less than two years.
Coursework
Courses in the Business Management concentration largely mirror the focus of the Business Management Major on economics, ethics, and leadership. The entire curriculum integrates issues of social justice into the classroom discussions and course assignments.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Business Management students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MBA
- Individualized MA in Social Sciences
Note that with permission of the chair, an undergraduate may be able to take a course in one of these graduate programs before applying. Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Take an Interdisciplinary Approach to Childhood Development
Many influences shape children’s perspectives, behavior, and lives. As a student in the Child Development & Education Concentration, you’ll learn about the complex relations that influence a child’s development, including community, peers, social agencies, families, and schools. You’ll explore child development through various age groups and educational models and gain valuable real-world experience along the way. You can choose to focus on child advocacy, cultural context, and global current affairs to broaden your perceptions.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options. Some in-person courses are offered in this concentration at our Seattle campus.
Program Overview
Antioch’s Child Development & Education Concentration provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of children with an emphasis on psychology and education. The curriculum blends clinical and developmental psychology with perspectives from physiology, neurology, sociology, philosophy, and the law. Students consider the impacts that schools have on children’s outlooks and family life. Our classes prepare students for graduate study and careers in the fields of education, family therapy, human services, children’s literature, and child advocacy.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Child Development & Education Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Child Development & Education students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MA in Psychology, with a specialization in child studies
Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Develop Your Craft in an Engaged Community of Writers
Discover the power of your words and your voice as a writer. Antioch’s Creative Writing concentration encourages your creative expression as you hone your writing skills. You will explore writing through language, form and expression, theory and literary models, and practical concerns shared by working writers. You will examine and analyze literature to grasp a deeper understanding of the variety and creativity of written language. This understanding goes well beyond superficial observation and will help you develop your own unique writing style. Writing is a powerful tool, and throughout the program, you will consider social justice issues in literature, the socio-political context of literary work, and the roles of writers in society.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options.
Program Overview
Students in our Creative Writing Concentration develop their craft in multiple genres, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Through interdisciplinary study of literature, students make connections between their own writing and diverse literary traditions and social contexts. Students can earn credit for prior writing experience, as editors of the BA Program’s online Literary Journal Two Hawks Quarterly, and as writing mentors with community partners such as WriteGirl, POPS the Club, and 826LA. Our faculty of accomplished writers give students close attention, preparing them for future publication, graduate study in Creative Writing, and/or assimilation of their writing into other disciplines and careers.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Creative Writing Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Creative Writing students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MFA in Creative Writing
Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Our planet is a complex ecosystem that is constantly transforming, from both natural and human causes. Be on the forefront of global conservation and environmental efforts while learning the critical skills necessary to become advocates and eco-citizens. Explore the economic, political, ethical, and social dynamics in the context of environmental stewardship through experiential and engaging coursework. By understanding the multifaceted obstacles that conservation faces, you’ll be able to understand all parties involved and aid in problem resolution. At Antioch, you’ll join a peer community where you receive personal attention in small class sizes. Measure your success through applied learning and community projects, not one-size-fits-all tests. Apply up to 90 semester transfer units, and learn about prior learning credits. Become part of a powerful community of engaged students of all backgrounds, and acquire the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to meet your goals.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options.
Program Overview
Whether you are currently a community college student, a busy parent or worker, a veteran, or an international student, our Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies degree completion program is designed to support your personal, academic, and professional goals at any point in your life or career path. Our approach to learning and teaching is reflective, experiential, and engaging, led by experienced faculty with environmental expertise. The program prepares students to be practitioners in the field, empowers students who may already be dealing with environmental justice issues in their own communities, and provides opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Environmental Studies Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Length of Program
The length of time a student takes to complete the degree depends upon (1) the number of credits transferred into the program and (2) the number of credit hours taken each term. For example, a student who transfers in 60 semester credits can complete the degree in 5 to 6 terms of full-time enrollment or 1 1/2 to 2 years.
Coursework
The Environmental Studies concentration explores numerous disciplines, including global studies, psychology, business, and multiculturalism, within experiential and engaging coursework.
Career Outlook
Just a handful of the broad possibilities include: environmental advocate, sustainability program coordinator, conservationist, habitat restoration coordinator, and outdoor educator.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Environmental Studies students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MS in Environmental Studies: Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability
- MS in Environmental Studies: Conservation Biology
- MS in Environmental Studies: Environmental Education
Note that with permission of the chair, an undergraduate may be able to take a course in one of these graduate programs before applying. Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
See Yourself Cultivating Wellness Through the Theories and Practices of Psychology and Social Justice
The psychology concentration will provide you with a comprehensive and cutting-edge education in psychological theory and practice while emphasizing the core issues of social justice and intercultural studies. Centering identity, students engage in critical thinking and consider issues from multiple perspectives for a deeper human understanding. By pursuing a BA in Liberal Studies with a Psychology concentration, you’ll prepare yourself for a career where wellness is the primary pathway for achieving social justice in our communities and our world.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options. You can also earn the psychology concentration by attending in-person courses at our Los Angeles campus. Some in-person classes are also available at our Santa Barbara and Seattle campuses.
Program Overview
The Psychology Concentration in our BA in Liberal Studies degree offers rich engagement with both traditional and contemporary psychological theory and practice. We invite students to critically explore how culture shapes our experience of the world and how social constructs have the power to enhance and challenge our interactions with others. Antioch’s unique curriculum emphasizes social justice engagement, clinical practice, and intercultural studies. The arts, politics, sexuality, and community are explored in our courses, many of which are taught by licensed psychotherapists. Our Psychology concentration provides excellent preparation for graduate study in clinical, organizational, and research psychology, as well as in education and cultural studies.
Through the Psychology concentration, students achieve the following:
- Foundational Knowledge
Students will articulate an understanding of the breadth of the field of psychology as it pertains to human and social interaction (eg, philosophy, science, art, anthropology, and their clinical applications). - Critical Thinking Skills
Students will demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast different approaches in the treatment of mental health, while considering the effects of ethical, social, familial, and political forces on human interaction. - Identity-Focus & Self Awareness
Students will develop a deeper understanding of their own cultural perspectives and biases and seek understanding of inclusive shared history, values, and cultural practices that differ from their own. They will develop an appreciation for underrepresented populations, unfamiliar forms of discourse, and different ways of knowing.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Psychology Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Length of Program
The length of time a student takes to complete the degree depends upon (1) the number of credits transferred into the program and (2) the number of credit hours taken each term. For example, a student who transfers in 60 semester credits can complete the degree in 5 to 6 terms of full-time enrollment or 1 1/2 to 2 years.
Coursework
Students pursuing a Psychology concentration have flexibility in terms of what courses they take, but the faculty recommends that priority be given to courses considered foundational to the psychology field. The curriculum embodies an integrated perspective, connecting biological, psychological, and social processes as they relate to developing and maintaining overall wellness, paying particular attention to diverse communities and practices. The most important courses orient students toward psychological science and practices while offering expanded perspectives, such as Queer Theory and Somatic Awareness.
Note that, just like the Psychology major, the Psychology concentration prioritizes the APA’s Psychological Science Integrative Themes throughout its curriculum:
A. Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop.
B. Psychological science explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences.
C. Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.
D. Psychological science values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society.
E. Our perceptions and biases filter our experiences of the world through an imperfect personal lens.
F. Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways.
G. Ethical principles guide psychological science research and practice.
Career Outlook
Antioch’s BA in Liberal Studies, Psychology concentration, prepares tomorrow’s professionals to excel in their field through a theoretical framework and hands-on experience. The need for experts within the mental health industry is rising at a rapid pace, and this concentration opens the door to a career with numerous leadership opportunities.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Psychology concentration students might be particularly interested in the following pathways. Note that all of these programs prepare students for licensure:
- MA in Psychology
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MA in Couples & Family Therapy
Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Study Queerness. Challenge Norms. Make Change.
As a Queer Studies student, you will build skills to advocate for a more just and inclusive world through critical thinking, effective communication, and creative imagination. In the process, you will connect theory with real-world experience as you study issues of identity, community, and social justice. You’ll examine a wide range of issues related to the lives of Queer, Nonbinary, and LGBT+ people, and you’ll be invited to consider those experiences within broader historical and cultural contexts concerned with the social production and political regulation of bodies, identities, sex, sexuality, and gender. Queer Studies encourages critical analysis, resilience, resistance, and creative engagement in the ongoing pursuit of social justice for gender and sexual minorities and for society more broadly.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options.
Program Overview
Students in our Queer Studies Concentration examine how histories of oppression and resistance continue to shape contemporary issues, including housing, employment, education, and healthcare. They explore the reciprocal relationship between theory and practice while developing the ability to view the world through a queer lens. They also consider how queer perspectives can reshape education, professional practice, creativity, culture, relationships, institutions, and politics. Queer Studies courses affirm LGBT+ and Queer students by providing supportive learning environments that encourage personal, professional, and political growth. Courses are taught by faculty in solidarity with LGBT+, Nonbinary, and Queer students and their allies. Rooted in a history of social engagement and activism, Queer Studies benefits all students, regardless of their area of concentration or career path.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Queer Studies Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Queer Studies students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MA in Psychology, with a specialization in LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychology
- Individualized Master of Arts Program
Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Awaken Your Spirituality. Serve the World’s Spiritual Needs.
As a Spiritual Studies student, you’ll explore the human psyche, religious traditions, and how to live a spiritual life. You’ll work both in the classroom and in the field to connect the interior life of the soul to the needs of the world through engaged or incarnational spirituality. This curriculum will prepare you for work in the helping professions, ground your politics in a spiritual context, and hopefully, deepen your spiritual life. We will approach the sacred with an attitude of deep ecumenism in which all religious and spiritual traditions are welcome, as together we acknowledge the element of mystery that lives in the heart of the divine.
This degree is available for students learning anywhere. We offer remote Zoom classes as well as online asynchronous options. Some in-person courses are offered in this concentration at our Seattle campus.
Program Overview
Students in our Spiritual Studies Concentration will learn to approach religion and spirituality through the lens of depth or analytical psychology, and include modern approaches to understanding the evolution of consciousness as it has presented itself throughout history. There is much to gain from reflecting on the planetary wisdom traditions with the ‘bird’s eye view’ that modernity affords us. And there are blueprints within these systems of thought that can help us both personally and collectively navigate current challenges and find embodied solutions that address this moment in history. Classes focus on how to tend the soul both for our own sake and to be of service to others. All courses are open to anyone with a curiosity about religion, spirituality, and Depth or Analytical Psychology. You do not need to adhere to any belief system in order to gain insight and meaning from these offerings.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements outlined above, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits for the Spiritual Studies Concentration. These credits can be transferred or earned at Antioch.
Pathways to Graduate Programs
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Spiritual Studies students might be particularly interested in the following pathways:
- MA in Psychology, with a specialization in Spiritual and Depth Psychology
- Individualized Master of Arts Program
Information about these and other pathways can be found on our Pathways site.
Additional Information
- 120 total semester units (earned at Antioch and transferred in).
- Minimum of 24 transferable semester credits from previous institutions.
- Minimum of 30 credits earned at Antioch University
- Successful completion of our gateway course, Transformative Education, during the first term of enrollment.
- 36 credits of General Education courses
- 24 credits in the following domains, with a minimum of 3 credits in each: Art, Communications, Humanities, Quantitative Reasoning, Science, and Social Science. (Can be transferred in)
- 12 credits of Antioch core (must be earned at Antioch)
- 40 upper-division credits
- 3 credits of capstone experience
- For those selecting a concentration, a minimum of 24 credits are required for an area of concentration.
The length of time a student takes to complete the degree depends upon (1) the number of credits transferred into the program and (2) the number of credit hours taken each term. For example, a student who transfers in 60 semester credits can complete the degree in 5 to 6 terms of full-time enrollment or 1 1/2 to 2 years.
In today’s economy, with its demand for educated workers with college and advanced degrees, many of our undergraduate students enter our program on an express train headed for graduate study and credentialing that will quickly equip them to compete successfully in the career of their choice. This is often especially true for our returning adult students who are in the process of changing careers or defining a new career path for which their previous education did not prepare them.
To help our students economize on the time and money they spend completing their education, Undergraduate Studies collaborates with our graduate programs to offer pathway options that allow qualified undergraduate students to earn significant advanced standing in several of our master’s programs. Undergraduate students can apply to an Antioch graduate program while working on the BA degree and, if accepted, complete their remaining bachelor’s degree credits by taking first-term graduate courses. Credits earned during this “pathway” apply toward both the student’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees, saving significant time and money in the process.
Prior to applying for the graduate program, undergraduate students must consult with their Academic Advisors to determine their eligibility to become a Pathway candidate and gain approval from the Undergraduate Studies Chair. Pathways are available for the following graduate programs:
- Graduate Management (MBA Program)
- Individualized Master’s (Humanities or Social Science)
- MS in Environmental Studies
- MA in Psychology
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MA in Couples & Family Therapy
- MFA in Creative Writing
Please consult our Pathways Site for more information about the pathway process and eligibility requirements.
Schedule
Antioch’s academic year covers three semesters: fall (August-December), spring (January-May), and summer (May-August). Semesters are fifteen weeks long with a two-week break in between, during which instructors review and evaluate students’ work. We also offer many asynchronous classes that are accelerated, taking place over 7 weeks instead of 15. There are two accelerated 7-week sessions during each semester (e.g., Spring A & Spring B).
Bachelor’s degree classes have anywhere from 8 to 18 students in each class, and are offered in the following formats:
- Three- and four-credit remote, Zoom classes that meet synchronously for one 2 hour and 50-minute session per week for 15 weeks. This is the most common format.
- Three-credit online asynchronous classes, in an accelerated 7-week format.
- Three- and four-credit online and hybrid classes that alternate Zoom meetings with online asynchronous activity.
- One-credit workshops that meet for just 12 hours of synchronous engagement during the term and typically occur on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
Additionally, students have a variety of options for earning credit through non-classroom learning activities: internships, prior learning, and independent study projects.
Prospective students with at least 24 semester credits of college credits from an accredited institution can apply to complete their degree in one of Antioch’s Bachelor’s degrees. Our undergraduate programs accept a maximum of 80 lower-division semester credits that can be transferred toward your degree program. Antioch will accept up to 90 semester credits of lower-division and upper-division learning that can be transferred toward your degree. The formal evaluation of previously earned transfer credits starts during the admission process. For more information regarding the specifics of transfer credits:
Want to know how long it’ll take to finish your degree at Antioch? Upload your unofficial transcripts for a free evaluation, and our advisors will contact you. No strings attached.
We respect your life experience and recognize that college-level learning often takes place outside academic settings. Many students bring a wealth of such prior learning to their studies, and we offer the option to convert this learning into academic credit through appropriate documentation, self-reflection, and evaluation by a qualified faculty member.
Demonstration of prior learning can take many forms but typically involves showing evidence of the student’s knowledge of the topic and situating that knowledge in an academic context. For example, a student who entered the program as an accomplished digital artist earned credit by compiling a portfolio of her digital art and writing an analysis of her learning in the field. Another student who had lost a brother to AIDS reviewed literature on the stages of grief and wrote a paper integrating the findings of academic studies with her personal experience of grief.
Undergraduate students can earn up to 30 university credits for prior learning. Earning academic credit for prior learning activities may accelerate a student’s time to degree completion and significantly reduce tuition costs. Students wanting to explore this option must take the Documenting Life Learning class before earning this type of credit.
Internships
The internship office maintains partnerships with over 200 organizations and supports students who wish to earn academic credit for hands-on, workplace experience. As interns, students expand their social networks, apply new skills, and actively contribute to community life. As part of the internship process, they also reflect upon the relationship between academic studies and real-world activities.
The following are just a few examples of the many exciting internships our students pursue:
- Promoting resilience through empathy and community building at the Relational Center;
- Mentoring youth artists at Venice Arts to develop skills in photography and other creative media;
- Learning and applying anti-bullying principles at The AnonymoUS Initiative;
- Literary editing and web publishing for Antioch’s online literary journal Two Hawks Quarterly;
- Assistant-Teaching for Bridge, Antioch’s free community humanities program for non-traditional adult students;
- Learning at their own jobs.
Internships represent one way for students to satisfy degree requirements while making an impact on the community at large.
Faculty Spotlights
Tera McIntosh, PhD
Affiliate Faculty
Daniel Robicheau, MA
Affiliate Faculty
David Ross, MS
Adjunct Faculty
Lorraine Fish, PhD
Affiliate Faculty
Admissions/Costs/Financial Aid
Admissions
How to Apply
- Complete and submit the Online Application.
- Complete and submit the Admissions Essay in the application.
- Submit the Application Fee of $50. Note: The application fee is waived for anyone attending an information session. Interested in attending? Sign up now!
- Request official transcripts from every accredited institution from which you have received units of academic credit. You must provide evidence that you have successfully completed 24 semester units or more of college-level learning.
- At least 24-semester credits of transferable undergraduate work completed from a regionally accredited college or university
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (if requested)
Unofficial or in-progress transcripts may be submitted for the purpose of initial review. Official transcripts are required prior to enrollment and should be sent electronically to [email protected]. Electronic submission is preferred. If official transcripts must be mailed, please send them to:
Antioch University
Attn: Admissions
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Deadlines
Admissions deadlines - Undergraduate Studies
| Semester | Final Application | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | December 1 | January 11 |
| Summer | April 15 | May 10 |
| Fall | August 15 | September 7 |
Cost
| Per semester credit | $580 |
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
By taking advantage of our generous transfer policy, you can complete your undergraduate degree for less than $20,000. The total cost to complete a bachelor’s degree will vary based on a number of factors including area of concentration, credit received for prior life and work experiences, and the credits that would transfer into your BA completion program. Our students typically transfer in between 45-60 semester credits. A minimum of 120 semester credits is required to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Financial Aid
A majority of Antioch University students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at Antioch University. Returning to school is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one.
Start your Antioch Journey
Take your next step - talk to our admissions team to find the right program for you.