Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
- Accounting Degree Program
- Early Childhood Education Degree Program
- Education Transfer Program
- General Studies Degree
- Liberal Arts Degree
- Business Management Degree
- Associate Degree In Nursing Program
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Paralegal Degree Program
Certificate Programs
- Bereavement Studies
- Gerontology
- Paralegal Certificate Program
- LPN Certificate Program
- Teaching Assistant
More Information
Liberal Arts Degree
Contact Information
Anne Devlin, MA – Chairperson
Phone: (518) 438-3111, ext. 243
Email: anned@mariacollege.edu
Download: Liberal Arts/General Studies Student Handbook
Download: Liberal Arts Fact Sheet
Liberal Arts Degree Program – Options for Your Future!
Maria College’s Liberal Arts degree program provides you the opportunity to pursue a well-rounded education designed to prepare you for employment, further education and life. Explore courses in a wide range of areas, where you will discover…
How to think for yourself…
- Exercise your mind and develop thinking habits
- Make your mind stronger by concentrating and grasping ideas
- Develop, examine, evaluate and support arguments with critical thinking
- Develop your own opinions, attitudes, values and beliefs
How to learn…
- Exercise the mind to develop the skills of learning itself
- Learn how to organize and understand new material
- Develop the ability to learn through research
- Expand understanding of the familiar to understanding of something new
How to see the world as a whole…
- Connect the dots between ideas and areas of study
- Learn how one thing is dependent on another
- See what is associated with or caused by something else
- Explore the cultures that make up our planet
- Learn valuable lessons about the nature of the human experience
How to enjoy life…
- Open your mind to material that can make you smarter
- Discover the happiness that education can provide
- Feel confident about your opinions and ideas
How to be prepared for your future occupation…
- Learn problem-solving skills and written and verbal communication
- Learn to conceptualize, coordinate, and analyze information
- Develop a broad knowledge base of information
Did you know?
The term liberal arts really means studies that provide general knowledge and intellectual skills rather than more specialized occupational or professional skills. You can become a well-rounded person who can fit in anywhere!
Facts that may surprise you…
Who has degrees in the liberal arts? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, comedian Robin Williams, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have all received college degrees in the liberal arts.
Where can Maria’s degree in Liberal Arts or General Studies take you?
To a bachelor’s degree and beyond! Financially speaking, a four-year degree is a costly endeavor. Earning an associate degree in Liberal Arts or General Studies is a cost-effective route to a bachelor’s degree, as many of the course credits can be transferred to four-year institutions. Maria graduates have completed four-year degrees locally at the University at Albany, The College of Saint Rose, Sage College of Albany and Siena College, to name a few.
To the workforce with marketable skills!
With the skills you develop in your courses, you will be able to write and communicate, plan and execute research, and organize ideas and solutions. You will also cultivate an open mind to new ideas and approaches, as well as disciplined work habits, and a critical eye and ear.
“The teachers and staff made college a very positive experience.”
– 2009 LA Graduate “I love Maria College…the extra support is excellent.”
– 2008 LA Graduate
Day and Evening Divisions, and Weekend College
The Liberal Arts student must successfully complete 64 credits as follows:
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
12 credits in each of three of the following four areas, to total 36 credits:- Religious Studies/Philosophy
- Social Science (Sociology, Psychology, Economics, etc.)
- Natural Science (Mathematics, Science, etc.)
- Humanities (English, Nonstudio Art and Music, etc.)
12 additional credits in any liberal arts course offerings
- 16 credits, not necessarily in liberal arts areas, which must be approved by an academic advisor
To find out more about course options and what courses are all about, you can access our Maria College Academic Catolog for all the details!
What is special about Maria’s Liberal Arts course concentrations?
If you have a unique area that you want to experience, one of Maria’s three concentrations may just be for you. The Liberal Arts faculty is talented, dedicated, and passionate about the opportunity to work with you in class, as well as act as your advisors. They want you to try out many of the course areas in the concentrations, guide you as you plan coursework and explore interests, and help you to think about your options and work toward your goals. What concentrations are available?
-
English Concentration
Has reading always brought you pleasure? Are you known for always having a book that you are in the middle of and just can’t put down, or do you enjoy finding out more about things that interest you and writing about them? The Liberal Arts degree, with an English concentration, allows the student to focus on an interest in writing and literature by taking a variety of English courses. These will provide an in-depth study of language through composition classes and various classes in literature, such as the short story and drama. Upon completion of the degree, a student will have a strong background to transfer to a four-year college to study English, leading to possible careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, public relations and law, just to name a few. Additionally, employers today consistently note that the top skill they seek in hiring employees is communication, especially in writing.
The Liberal Arts—English concentration student must successfully complete 64 credits as follows:
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
12 credits in each of three of the following four areas, to total 36 credits:- Religious Studies/Philosophy
- Social Science (Sociology, Psychology, Economics, etc.)
- Natural Science (Mathematics, Science, etc.)
- Humanities (English, Nonstudio Art and Music, etc.)
12 additional credits in any liberal arts course offerings
- 16 credits, not necessarily in liberal arts areas, which must be approved by an academic advisor
To find out more about course options and what courses are all about, you can access our Maria College Catalog for all the details!
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
-
Psychology Concentration
Do you wonder what makes a person tick, or about what might be making someone you know behave in a certain way? Do you want to understand emotional and behavioral problems in people because you think you may want to pursue an occupation where you could be the one to help them? The Liberal Arts degree, with a Psychology concentration, explores the science of behavior and mental processes. The goal of the program is to produce graduates with critical thinking skills based on their knowledge of the principles and methodology in psychology. The concentration features a core curriculum that emphasizes the scientific and empirical bases of psychology, and will provide the background necessary to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related social or behavioral science, and eventually seek employment in the mental health, counseling or personnel fields.
The Liberal Arts—Psychology concentration student must successfully complete 64 credits as follows:
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
12 credits in each of three of the following four areas, to total 36 credits:- Religious Studies/Philosophy
- Social Science (Sociology, Psychology, Economics, etc.)
- Natural Science (Mathematics, Science, etc.)
- Humanities (English, Nonstudio Art and Music, etc.)
12 additional credits in any liberal arts course offerings
- 16 credits, not necessarily in liberal arts areas, which must be approved by an academic advisor
To find out more about course options and what courses are all about, you can access our Maria College Catalog for all the details!
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
-
Religious Studies/Philosophy Concentration
Do you see religion as a way to help you to understand the meaning of life, wondering about religions other than your own and why they believe things differently than you do? Could there be some fundamental ethics that belong to people of all religions? Might you want to seek a meaningful position in the religious field? The Liberal Arts degree, with a Religious Studies/Philosophy concentration, engages students in the study of life’s most fundamental ethical questions and the quest for ultimate meaning. Students will investigate varieties of religious experiences and philosophical perspectives, and demonstrate competency in the skills of problem solving, organizing information logically, critical thinking, researching, writing and gaining aesthetic awareness. Recommended for students seeking further study in Religious Studies, Philosophy and/or Theology.
The Liberal Arts—Religious Studies/Philosophy concentration student must successfully complete 64 credits as follows:
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
12 credits in each of three of the following four areas, to total 36 credits:- Religious Studies/Philosophy
- Social Science (Sociology, Psychology, Economics, etc.)
- Natural Science (Mathematics, Science, etc.)
- Humanities (English, Nonstudio Art and Music, etc.)
12 additional credits in any liberal arts course offerings
- 16 credits, not necessarily in liberal arts areas, which must be approved by an academic advisor
To find out more about course options and what courses are all about, you can access our Maria College Catalog for all the details!
- 48 credits of liberal arts (including the College requirements of three credits in Religious Studies and an additional three credits in Religious Studies or Philosophy, plus six credits in English, including English 111) distributed as follows:
-
Helpful Links
What can I do with my liberal arts degree? (PDF)
From Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Winter 2007-08)Getting Hired: What Can I Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?
From Career Builder.com (October 2009)
