Liberal Arts BA

A Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts takes a broad view, exposing you to courses in various subjects including philosophy, mathematics, religious studies, literature, arts, sciences, languages, and more. Upholding both our mission and the Sisters of Mercy, a BA at Maria adds another key component to your education –  providing caring and compassionate service to others.

With a Maria Liberal Arts BA, you’ll gain a unique perspective of the world around you and your role as a global citizen. In this program, you will explore the ideas and beliefs that have guided human beings and shaped civilizations—giving you a strong and resourceful educational foundation.

Choose from two concentrations

Communication Studies.

Develop sought after communication skills ranging from organizational, strategic, technical, and professional communication. This will prepare students for careers in virtually any industry, but specifically marketing, public relationships, journalism, advertising, and more.

Government Studies.

Lay the foundation for a career in federal, state, or local government. With classes on composition, the American political system, international relations, and constitutional law, students are prepared to further their education. From here, students can go on to study pre-law, public policy, and political science.

Regardless of which concentration you choose, both provide practical experience to prepare you for the career of your choice or continued study at the graduate level. Rounding out the program, you will complete an internship in your chosen concentration to gain real-world experience and give you a competitive edge in the job market..

Contact our admissions office today to find out more about the courses we offer.

College Factual logo - Top ranked Liberal arts Bachelors - 2022
College Factual has ranked Maria College in the top 15% nationally for 2022 Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools. The ranking score is based on a total of 306 colleges and universities; Maria’s ranking is #46 on the list.
  • Program Learning Outcomes
    • Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in multiple academic disciplines with more in-depth and more advanced knowledge in communication studies or government studies.
    • Apply analysis and critical thinking to a variety of written materials.
    • Effectively communicate using a variety of techniques, including writing and technology, for various discourse groups.
    • Access a variety of information resources (e.g. internet, library, databases), evaluate the quality of the information, and effectively use the information.
    • Solve problems and make decisions by analyzing various types of evidence and by using scientific and ethical reasoning.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of the human experience through historical, psychological, sociological, and religious/philosophical perspectives.
    • Recognize, understand and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
    • Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
    • Pursue realistic ideas about how to implement their knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings that meet personal goals and societal needs.
  • Course Overview

    Liberal Arts Core (66 credits)

    Arts/Humanities (9 credits): ENG 200, ART or MUS elective, HUM elective
    Communications/English (9 credits): ENG 103 or ENG elective, ENG 111, ENG 211
    Cultural Studies (6 credits): CUL 310, CUL 410
    History (6 credits): HIS elective
    Languages (9 credits): SPA 101, 102, 201 or ENG 209; or other foreign language
    Philosophy (6 credits): PHI 101, PHI elective
    Religious Studies (6 credits): RES 201, RES elective
    Science/Math (6 credits): MAT 106 or MAT 200or MAT 101; BIO/CHM/PHY/SCI elective
    Social Sciences (9 credits): PSY 100, SOC 101, ECO 100 or ECO 101

    Concentration (select one, 24 credits)

    Communication Studies

    Course

     

    Credits

    ENG 310 

    Professional Writing

    3

    ENG 410 

    Technical and Professional Communication

    3

    COM 100

    Foundations of Communication

    3

    COM 300

    Strategic Communication

    3

    COM 320

    Social Media: Theory and Practice

    3

    COM 400

    Internship in Communication Studies

    6

    COM 450

    Capstone in Communication Studies

    3

    Government Studies

    ENG 300 

    Advanced Composition

    3

    POL 101 

    The American Political System

    3

    POL 310

    International Relations

    3

    POL 320

    Constitutional Law

    3

    PSY 350

    Research Methods (MAT 200 prerequisite)

    3

    POL 400

    Internship in Government Studies

    6

    POL 450

    Capstone in Government Studies

    3

    Free Electives (30 credits)

      

    18 credits at any level

      

    12 credits at the 300/400 level

  • Course Sequence

    First Year: First Semester

    Course

     

    Credits

    ENG 111

    Composition I

    3

    HUM 101

    or 102

    Intro to Humanities I

    Intro to Humanities II

    3

    PHI 101           

    Intro to Philosophy

    3

    SPA 101

    Spanish I or other language

    3

    RES

    Religious Studies Elective

    3

      

    15

    First Year: Second Semester

    ENG 211

    Critical Inquiry and Writing

    3

    PSY 100

    General Psychology

    3

    SOC 101

    Intro to Social Change

    3

    SPA 102

    Spanish II or other language

    3

    ART/MUS

    Art or Music Elective

    3

      

    15

    Second Year: Second Semester                   

    COM 100

    or POL 101

    Foundations of Comm. or The American Political System

    3

    ENG  103

    Speech and Oral Comm. or ENG elec.

    3

    SPA 201

    Intermediate Spanish or
    other language or ENG 209 Shakespeare

    3

    HIS

    History Elective

    3

     

    Free Elective

    3

      

    15

    Second Year: Second Semester

    MAT 106

    or MAT 200

    or MAT 101

    Intro to Algebra or

    Statistics or

    Found. of Math. I

    3

    RES 201  

    Foundations in Social Justice

    3

    PHI

    Philosophy Elective

    3

    HIS

    History Elective

    3

     

    Free Elective

    6

      

    18

    Third Year: First Semester                   

    COM 300

    or POL 310

    Strategic Communication or International Relations

    3

    CUL 310

    Cultural Studies I

    3

    ECO 100

    or ECO 101

    Macroeconomics or Microeconomics

    3

    ENG 300

    or ENG 310

    Advanced Composition or Professional Writing

    3

     

    Free Elective

    3

      

    15

    Third Year: Second Semester

    COM 320

    or POL 320

    Social Media: Theory and Practice or Constitutional Law

    3

    CUL 410

    Cultural Studies II

    3

    ENG 200

    Exploring Literature

    3

     

    Free Elective, 300/400 level

    3

     

    Free Elective

    3

      

    15

    Fourth Year: First Semester                   

    ENG 410

    or PSY 350

    Technical and Professional or Communications Research Methods I       

    3

     

    BIO/CHM/PHY/SCI Elective

    3

     

    Free Elective 300/400 level

     

     

    English Elective, 300/400 level

    3

     

    Free Elective

    3

      

    15

    Fourth Year: Second Semester                   

    COM 400

    or POL 400

    Internship in Communication Studies or Government Studies

    6

    COM 450

    or POL 450

    Capstone in Communication Studies or Government Studies

    3

     

    Free Elective, 300/400 level

    3

      

    12

  • Articulation Agreement
    • Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with AS in Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies to BA in Liberal Arts at Maria College
  • Internship Sites

    Examples of internship sites attended by current and former students:

    • St. Mary’s Church
    • Shenendehowa School–Kindergarten classroom
    • Maria College–Marketing, Teaching Assistant
    • New York State Legislature–Environmental lobbying
    • Relentless Awareness (public relations firm)
    • Writing Partnership, Inc. 
    • Jewish Community Center–After School Program
    • Blessed Sacrament Church
Maria Stories
Jennifer Mullet

Jenni Mullet, Liberal Arts student at Maria College, credits the program for strengthening her critical thinking skills to help her make a difference in the world.