BA in Liberal Studies, Individualized
Design a degree that aligns with your passion and vision for the future.
At Antioch, we understand that different life experiences and professional accomplishments are what makes us unique. A self-designed concentration allows you to develop an individually-tailored curriculum that fits your particular interests and goals. We help you find just the right combination of course offerings and learning opportunities, designed specifically for adult learners, and then work with you to develop a specific degree concentration that achieves the learning necessary to accomplish your goals. Don’t waste your time pursuing a degree that doesn’t align with your passion and vision for your future.
This degree is offered by Antioch University's Seattle Campus.
Program Overview
BA Liberal Studies students may elect to design their own academic concentration. Students who choose the individualized option work with a degree committee composed of the student, their academic advisor, and two specialists in the area of concentration who could be other Antioch faculty members or professionals in the larger community. Degree Committees meet three times spaced over the student’s time at Antioch to help design and, in the end, evaluate the student’s program. For example, a student who studies psychology, art, and social justice may have committee members who are art therapists or are working in mental health clinics for disenfranchised people. These concentrations are shaped to personal interests and often cross disciplines. The student proposes the name for their individualized concentration, which must be approved by the degree committee. Examples of individualized Areas of Concentration from recent graduates are:
- Sustainable Communities
- Change Management
- Somatics, Psychology, and Dance
- Children, Family, and Community
- Film and Social Change
- Culinary Anthropology
Customization is Key
In the BA in Liberal Studies program, each study plan is based on the student’s past experience, current needs and interests, and future goals. Students work in close collaboration with faculty advisors, instructors, and other students to shape their studies. Students build on earlier college work and on competencies learned at home and at work, through independent reading and volunteer activities.
Additional Information
The Liberal Studies Bachelor’s degree requires 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 60 upper-division credits, and a maximum of 120 lower-division credits. A minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credits must be completed with Antioch University. Graduation requirements include:
- 7 liberal studies courses
- an internship, or other in-the-world learning experience of the student’s choosing
- at least 40 credits in the concentration
- a senior capstone project
An individualized Area of Concentration requires a minimum of 40 quarter credits of coursework, comprised of transfer courses, prior learning, Antioch courses, independent studies, service learning, and other learning activities. Concentrations must include a minimum of 3 credits of community-based learning and a final, capstone/senior synthesis project. The student works out the component learning activities with their academic advisor and degree committee.
Faculty Spotlights
Sue Woehrlin
Chair
B. J. Bullert, PhD
Professor Emerita
Elizabeth Burke
Senior Lecturer & Adjunct Faculty
Sharyn Merrigan, MEd
Adjunct Faculty
Admissions
How to Apply:
Antioch University Seattle offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies through a degree completion program. All applicants to the BA program must have completed at least 36 quarter or 24 semester credits to be eligible for admission. A combined minimum of one full-time year of college credit is required; however, AUS will transfer up to the equivalent of three full-time years (80 semester credits/120 quarter credits, and up to 135 quarter credits if at least 15 credits are upper-division).
- Complete the online admissions application.
- Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you have attended to the Admissions Office. Transcript evaluations are required for all coursework completed outside of the U.S. or Canada (except Quebec). See Transcript Evaluation section on International Students webpage for details.
- Submit a short essay (two-three pages; approximately 500 words) that addresses why you would like to finish your bachelor’s degree at Antioch University Seattle.
- International Students have additional admission requirements. See International Students page for details.
Application Deadlines:
| Quarter | Application Deadline* | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March 15 | March 31 |
| Summer | June 15 | July 1 |
| Fall | September 15 | September 30 |
| Winter | December 15 | January 2 |
| *Complete applications received after the Deadline date may be considered if space is still available in that quarter or will be reviewed for the next available term. | ||
Applicants coming to AUS fulfill the minimum transfer requirement with:
- College courses taken at a U.S. college or university (with a final grade of ‘C’ or better, or pass if taken as pass/no pass)
- College Board Advanced Placement exams (a score of 3 or higher)
- CLEP credit (a score of 50)
- International coursework (university, college, upper-secondary/gymnasium) that is assessed to be equivalent to college credit earned at a regionally accredited U.S. college/university (with a final grade of ‘C’ or better, or pass if taken as pass/no pass) by an external transcript evaluation agency.
Antioch University Seattle Admissions Office 2400 Third Avenue, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98121 admissions.aus@antioch.edu LEARN MORE
Cost
| Per quarter credit | $535 |
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
Our students typically earn 10-25 credits for life experience/prior learning, up to a maximum of 45 and transfer in between 45-120 credits. It takes 180 credits total to graduate. Please note: Additional fees for all AUS programs may include (but are not necessarily limited to) charges for materials, late registration, enrollment maintenance, parking, graduation, transcripts, tuition payment plan, late payments, late registration, and returned checks.
Financial Aid
A majority of AUS 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 AUS.
Transfer Credits and Prior Learning
Transfer Credits
Prospective students with at least 36 quarter credits (equivalent to 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 120 quarter credits/80 semester credit lower-division credits that can be transferred toward your degree program. Antioch will accept 135 quarter credits (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, please talk with your admissions counselor.
*Note: See specific articulation agreements for any exceptions to these parameters
Prior Learning Credits
Undergraduate students can earn up to 45 university quarter credits (30 semester credits) for demonstrating college-level learning gained outside of school, such as through work experience, professional training, military training, or personal experience. Demonstration of prior learning involves showing evidence of the student’s knowledge of the topic and situating that knowledge within an academic context. Earning academic credit for prior learning activities may accelerate a student’s time to degree completion and significantly reduce tuition costs. Antioch offers a workshop and course to support students interested in earning credit through prior learning.
Free Unofficial Transcript Evaluation
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.
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