Liberal Arts Program/Arts and Letters

I'm looking for a fun Liberal/Arts and Letters program/degree. I know what your thinking "Why on earth would you want a liberal arts degree?" Well the answer would be were I live having a specific degree isn't so great because in my area there aren't many jobs for technology (which is what I have my certificate in) I just want a broad degree that will get my food in the door.

I've found Penn State has an Arts and Letters Associates and UMASS has a Bachelors program that I like but what I would like to know is have ya'll ran into anything different? Most of the classes are just basic why can't online programs have a History determining the difference between Harry Potter and Medieval Knights? Saw that at Stanford I believe lol.

If anyone knows of a good program or can point me in the right direction please let me know thank you!

 

I'd go with Excelsior, because you can take courses from anywhere as long as they meet a degree requirement. That way you're not locked into any one school's or dept's outlook. You can basically choose the best of everywhere, including your own local schools, and make them part of your Excelsior degree. Someplace like Penn State will be much more restrictive, but will of course have a great name that's probably worth a lot. There's always a give and take.

 

Katie, what kind of job could your liberal arts degree get for you in the area you live? Unless an employer just wants to see a bachelor's degree, any bachelor's degree, I'm not sure that it will help you that much. Bachelor's degrees are fairly ubiquitous. Of course, you may already have something in mind to do with your degree and I would not argue with that.

However, one of the most useful degrees for finding a good job is a degree in accounting. I know, you probably are saying, "Accounting? Yuck!" but that's what many people say and, maybe because of that, the degree remains one of the most employable out there. A degree like that would be much more likely to get your "food in the door" as you said. Just a thought. Best wishes for your success.

 

What's the entry level standard for accountants and bookkeepers? Are a BS in accounting or business with an accounting concentration sufficient?

 

ASU has a Bachelors in Liberal Studies, and there's a TON of classes you can take to fill the requirements. They even have classes pertaining to Lady Gaga, Harry Potter, Sex in the City, etc...lol

 

I'm not in that field so I don't know for sure, but from what I have heard from others, a bachelor's will get you in the door to a entry level position, but it takes a higher degree to rise to the top.

 

I live in a small town in Texas surrounded by other small towns lol, the closest big city is Tyler Texas and sadly yes they really just want someone with a degree around here specializing doesn't help because it cuts you out of jobs you could of potentially been able to apply for. If that makes any sense

 

Wow, so you may be the exception to the rule. Interesting.

My family is from Dumas and Amarillo. I love the people in Texas. Still have many loved ones living there.

 

I'm not sure if you're interested in this degree: appliedstudies.tv :: online bachelors degree completion program

It's from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

I also know that APUS has a general studies major:

http://www.apu.apus.edu/academic/programs/degree/1397/bachelor-of-arts-in-general-studies

 

Texas is great except its hot here I guess the only real problem I have is living in such a rural area. Dallas is about 60 miles away. Were I'm located there is mostly small business, a few law offices and medical lots of medical in Tyler.

 

Thank you all for your help!

 

Tyler, Texas is a big city?

 

It's all relative, Ted.

Katie - There are sooo many programs like the one you've described. I would be shocked to discover that the University of Texas system doesn't have exactly what you want. Or, you might want to get your degree from far away exotic place like Massachusetts. You could make the decision based on your favorite color or favorite sports mascot too. Frequently people make these decisions on cost. If you have a cost ceiling we might be able to help you to shorten your list.

 

Ted I graduated with a senior class of 75 students my hometown has about 700 people. My school is 1A so yes I do consider Tyler to be a bigger town.

Cost isn't to much of a factor I would go to a CC if there was one closer to me sometimes it sucks living in the country (but I do love the quiet)

 

I got a chuckle out of that one.

 

I feel like I should add a few things. I have a Certificate in Management information systems which is a fancy name of Information Tech my family would love for me to go into medical because around here its a safe option but I just don't have it in me I love being creative I've been looking for programs that will teach me more about web design and photography I can fix a laptop or desktop in less than 30 minutes and have been doing so for about 12 years now but in this area its just not enough. I wish I could find a degree that would be well rounded but also have some arts classes on the side does that make any sense?

I've attended a few colleges online non of which I really fit with. Baker, and now Limestone. Both of which getting information from them was like pulling teeth. I've been doing searches for reputable schools on the forum because I don't trust google.

 

Not many jobs in art and photography. A few people make it big and a million others don't make it at all. You are in a good place because you have other skills to fall back on if following your dreams does not pan out.

I speak from experience here. I grew up knowing that I could make it as a professional musician and I made a pitiful living at it for many years until my daughter was born. It was at that time that I decided not to put my family through the life of a struggling musician and developed some more lucrative options. I still play a lot of music, but I depend on something else to pay the bills and I'm much happier for it. I'm not telling you to forsake your dreams, but I am happy that you have something to fall back on.

 

What are the major differences between a Liberal Arts degree and Business? I have about 50 credits but most are in Computer Science maybe thats the direction I should stay in...its just such a big decision.

 

I'm not a huge fan of group learning I tend to go out on my own because I just learn and work better that way, dont get me wrong I enjoy working alongside those with similar interest I have just found when it comes to college classes there are always one or two students that don't do any work. I like colleges that allow me to do this but also dont leave everything up to me. Baker and to and extent Limestone was like this, I did every thing right down to basically advise myself and when I called or emailed for help I hardly got a response.