
Liberal arts professor Erik Nielson, an expert on the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials, is quoted.
Be well-rounded and adaptable in a changing professional landscape.
Many employers seek individuals with a broad educational background that focuses on writing, analyzing, evaluating and reasoning. These skills are integral to the coursework in the liberal arts program.
Our liberal arts degrees are designed for those who want an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree. Students will be exposed to some of the best thinking from around the world through a broadly based educational experience.
Our students have the opportunity to develop their ability to write well, communicate effectively, work with groups, engage in problem solving, and think critically — timeless skills that are applicable to every part of life.
Liberal Arts
School-Wide
Review the options for studying Liberal Arts at the University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies
LA Major Program of Study
The undergraduate major in liberal arts is available for the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA).
Total: 30 semester hours
Required Core
12 semester hours. Select four 300-level courses that meet the following requirements:
One 3-hour course from each of the following groupings (12 semester hours)
Selected topics (numbered 398U) are eligible
Independent studies (numbered 399U) may be eligible (requires chair approval)
Social Sciences
Anthropology (ANTH)
Economics (ECON)
Education (EDUC)
Geography (GEOG)
History (HIST)
International Studies (ISTY)
Journalism (JOUR)
Philosophy (PHIL)
Political Science (PLSC)
Psychology (PSYC)
Sociology (SOC)
Sciences
Biology (BIOL)
Geology (GEOL)
General Science (GSCI)
Mathematics (MATH)
Humanities
Art (ART)
Studio Art (ARTS)
English (ENGL)
Foreign Languages
Humanities (HUM)
Music (MUS)
Religious Studies (RELG)
Theatre (THTR)
Professional Studies
Human Resource Management (HRM)
Communications (SPCH)
Nonprofit Studies (NPS)
Paralegal Studies (LA/LAW)
Information Systems (ISYS)
Education (EDUC)
Liberal Arts Elective
18 semester hours from across the humanities, sciences and social sciences. 12 semester hours must be taken at or above the 300U level. 100U- and 200U-level courses may be taken prior to or concurrent with the Knowledge Management sequence (ADED301U and ADED302U).
Online Interdisciplinary Studies
The undergraduate major in interdisciplinary studies in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (BALA) is only available online.
Total: 60 semester hours
Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
60 semester hours
ADED300U Knowledge Management - Methods of Learning and Thinking
IDST306U Understanding Culture and Language
HIST345U The History of Ideas
HUM346U The History of Human Expression
PLSC301U The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
GSCI301U The Role of Science and Technology in Shaping the Modern Era
MGMT345U Business Literacy
LDSP310U Leadership and Ethical Decision Making
IDST310U The Examined Life
IDST495U Capstone Course: Senior Seminar
Total: 30 semester hours
CORE
12 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses.
MLA500U Research Methods
ENGL502U Business and Professional Communication
MLA506U Technology and the Humanities
MLA599U Seminar in Liberal Arts
CONCENTRATION
12 semester hours. All students must declare a concentration from the following: Data Analytics, Organizational Leadership or Interdisciplinary Studies.
Interdisciplinary Studies - Select four (4) courses from at least two (2) categories listed below. With departmental approval, one or more of these courses can be replaced via substitution.
Social Sciences: Graduate courses from Anthropology (ANTH), Economics (ECON), Education (EDUC), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Journalism (JOUR), Philosophy (PHIL), Political Science (PLSC), Psychology (PSYC) Sociology (SOC)
Sciences: Graduate courses from Biology (BIOL), Geology (GEOL), General Science (GSCI)
Humanities: Graduate courses from Art (ART), Studio Art (ARTS), English (ENGL), Humanities (HUM), Music (MUS), Religious Studies (RELG), Speech Communications (SPCH), Theatre (THTR)
Professional Studies: Graduate courses from Human Resource Management (HRM), Nonprofit Studies (NPS), Information Systems (ISYS)
Data Analytics - Select the following courses. With departmental approval, one or more of these courses can be replaced via substitution.
ISYS504U Introduction to Analytics
ISYS506U Descriptive Analytics
ISYS508U Predictive Analytics
ISYS510U Data Visualization
Organizational Leadership - Select any four (4) courses from the following. With departmental approval, one or more of these courses can be replaced via substitution.
EDUC601U Foundations of Educational Leadership Studies
HRM531U Human Resource Management
HRM644U Diversity in Organizations
MLA580U Leading Collaborative Teams
MLA581U High Performance Leadership
MLA582U Leadership in Sport
PSYC530U Organizational Psychology
ELECTIVES
6 semester hours. Selected from among MLA-eligible courses as identified each semester on the course schedule. Includes courses listed above not already taken to fulfill core or concentration requirements.