Liberal Arts

Our Mission

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s Liberal Arts degree program encourages the study of human beings and societies from the perspectives of both the humanities and the social sciences. As part of the curriculum, you will explore and combine insights into human art and activity that are revealed by psychology, literature, art, history, philosophy, religious studies, music, sociology, economics and anthropology. 

Earning a degree in Liberal Arts from the Mount’s Weekend/Evening & Online College provides a foundation for graduate work in law, public administration and most fields in the humanities and social sciences. You can also combine the Liberal Arts degree program with a minor in Business Administration or Psychology to enhance your professional specialization goals. 

Prepare for your future now with a BA in Liberal Arts from Mount Saint Mary’s Weekend/Evening & Online College! 

Degree requirements 

The following is a complete list of degree requirements for those pursuing a BA in Liberal Arts from the Weekend/Evening & Online College at Mount Saint Mary’s University.  

General studies 

50 units total 

Communication skills (8 units) 

• Written – First-Year English 1A & 1B (6 units) 
• Oral (2 units) 

Critical thinking (3 units) 

• See designated courses in Philosophy or English (3 units) 
• Literature (3 units) 
• History 1A: Western Civilization for English Majors (3 units) 
• Natural Science (3 units) 
• Mathematics (3 units) 
• Social or Behavioral Science (3 units) 
• Economics or Political Science (3 units) 

Foreign language or culture (6 units) 

Philosophy and religious studies (15 units) 

• Must include Ethics (3 units) 
• Religious Studies (6-9 units) 
• Philosophy – including one course in Philosophical Ideas (6-9 units) 

Diversity courses (6 units) 

• See designated courses in Art, Literature, History, Philosophy, Religion (6 units) 

Major requirements 

34-36 units total 

• LIB 101: Introduction to the Liberal Arts (3 units) 
• LIB 110: Senior Seminar (3 units) 

A minimum of 30 units in Liberal Arts offerings, of which 24 must be upper division. 

A minimum of four of the upper-division courses must be in the humanities, representing at least two of the following disciplines: 

• Art 
• Music 
• Language 
• Philosophy 
• Literature 
• Religious Studies 

A minimum of four upper-division courses must be in the social sciences, representing at least two of the following disciplines: 

• Anthropology 
• Political Science 
• Economics 
• Psychology
• History 
• Sociology 

Additional General Studies requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units, including Modern Language requirement of two courses in Modern Language or Cultural Studies. 

Free electives 

44 units total 

• Any courses may be chosen for 44 units of academic credit, of which 18 or 21 units may be applied toward a minor. 

Total units for major: 34-36 units 

Total units for bachelor's degree: 124 units