"Liberal Studies encompasses a broad educational outlook, so you are not locked into one field. It provides flexibility to change as the world changes."
- Beverly Ludden '07
"Don't know what you want to be when you grow up? Liberal Studies is perfect for sampling a variety of subjects."
- Anita Kurth
Professor of English
Home » Arts and Humanities » Liberal Studies
Degrees Offered: B.A. and A.A.
Offered in Augusta, Bangor, at sites statewide and online
Unsure what you want to do after graduation? Liberal Studies is our most popular choice for students who want to keep their career options open. The flexible program will provide you with a broad background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In the B.A. program you will also add a minor of a specific area that attracts your interest.
UMA's Associate degree in Liberal Studies is designed to allow you to explore your educational options and prepare you for baccalaureate work. Comparable to the first half of most traditional bachelor’s degree programs, Liberal Studies gives you the basics of a well-rounded education, and offers a rigorous traditional curriculum.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program is a flexible degree program that allows you to shape the curriculum to best meet your needs and interests. It provides you with a foundation in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. Add a concentration, minor or certificate to achieve a deeper understanding of a specific area.
Within the Liberal Studies program, UMA offers tracks for students who are preparing for admissions into the Architectural Program, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Dental Health, and Veterinary Technology. Agreements are also in place between UMA and UMF so that Liberal Studies students can complete many of the courses they need to earn a degree in Elementary, Secondary or Special Education.
Graduates of our Liberal Studies program have the capacity to succeed in many careers, including the arts, public policy, business and teaching.
SKILLS YOU'LL ACQUIRE
Liberal Studies students possess an inquisitive nature and tenacious spirit, traits that serve them well as they begin exploring career and educational options. As students near completion of their degree requirements, they are more focused in their personal and work lives and are better able to communicate their thoughts and needs to others. These skills, as well as the ones noted below, are ones that many Liberal Studies students acquire.
| Interpersonal | Communication |
|---|---|
| Understanding cultural differences Working collaboratively Assessing human needs Listening Recognizing social processes |
Presenting ideas effectively Speaking publicly Writing reports Justifying a position Reading critically |
| Problem Solving | Organizational |
| Interpreting numerical data Evaluating information Defining a problem Setting priorities Making decisions Gathering information/research |
Attending to details Managing information Coordinating tasks Meeting deadlines Developing projects Planning |
Careers You Can Seek
Today’s employers have a strong bias toward employing candidates with a college education, because college graduates tend to have stronger analytical thinking, decision-making, communication and learning skills than non-college graduates. These broad skills provide a strong base for a career in virtually any field. Students who pursue the Liberal Studies degree to completion may be found performing various roles in business, social/human services, education, health care and government.
Most Liberal Studies students transfer their credits to other programs. Listed below are some possibilities you might want to consider.
Other UMA Programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Art
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
- Associate of Arts in Architecture
- Associate of Science in Mental Health and Human Services
- Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Associate of Science in Nursing
Business
- A.S. and B.S. in Business programs in Augusta and Bangor
Education
- B.S. in Elementary Education from UMF
- B.S. in Elementary Education from UM
- B.S. in Secondary Education from UMF
- B.S. in Special Education from UMF
- A.S. in Early Childhood Education from UMF and UMM
- A.A.S. Education Technician Program from KVCC