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I don't work in a traditional field that you can get a degree in, so I needed to find something that was, more rounded, more broad. The letters, arts and sciences degree fit that need.

Micelle Emery
Emergency Responder

Industry Highlights

Through 2018, employment is projected to increase by:

  • 13% for advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers
  • 8% for writers and editors
  • 12% for administrative services managers
  • 7% for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents
  • 10% for teacher's assistants

Employment opportunity information from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Letters, Arts, and Sciences (Bachelor of Arts)

Summary

Credits Required 120
Tuition per Credit $495/$532

Be Exceptional

A Highly Versatile Online Liberal Arts Degree

Create opportunity — The skills and knowledge you gain by earning a degree in letters, arts, and sciences can open doors in whatever field you choose. You can sharpen your communication and analytical skills, hone your leadership abilities, and gain an understanding of the ethical and diversity issues facing our world today.

Increase your career options — Whether you choose the creative arts, public relations, or marketing, a bachelor’s degree in letters, arts, and sciences can help you gain the leadership and organizational skills you need to succeed.

Why a Letters, Arts, and Sciences Degree Online at Penn State

You can customize your degree –- Penn State’s letters, arts, and sciences program is a multidisciplinary, student-designed major that allows you to select 3 credits from each of the following areas:

Ethics: Discover the major aspects of ethics — the nature of ethical reasoning, the major ethical traditions and their similarities and contrasts, as well as enduring ethical issues.

Global Perspectives: Review general theories of international behavior as applied to international politics, and examine a number of important topics in international politics.

Leadership: Explore organizational behavior theories, concepts, and skills as they relate to leading and motivating individuals and groups; this focus area also includes behavior principles in management and supervision.

Diversity: Discover the issues related to race, gender, age, and ethnicity in American society; examine the methods, data, and theories used to study the varieties of human thought, behavior, and social life in their associated physical and social environments.

You can gain immediate results — While earning your bachelor’s degree online, you can enhance your résumé by acquiring a professional certificate or an associate degree. For example, both the certificate in organizational communication and the associate degree in letters, arts, and sciences include many of the courses required for the Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences. You can gain credits toward a bachelor’s degree while also accomplishing these notable milestones along the way.

Who Should Apply

The bachelor’s degree in letters, arts, and sciences could be a good choice if:

  • you have faced challenges starting or completing college because of life's circumstances or geographical constraints
  • you are currently in a managerial or leadership position and need a degree to advance in your career
  • you want to broaden your educational horizons in the liberal arts
  • you aspire to attend graduate school

If you are looking for a high-quality academic program that focuses on issues of leadership and organizational dynamics, yet do not want to limit yourself to a narrow, single-discipline approach, this degree program may be for you.

The goal of the bachelor's degree in letters, arts, and sciences is to provide a broad education that introduces methods of analysis used in the liberal arts disciplines. However, it can also prepare you for the complex social, cultural, and organizational issues that you may face in most leadership positions. The degree is an excellent choice for anyone, but is particularly suitable if you can bring real-world experience to your studies.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

With your letters, arts, and sciences degree you can work in a broad range of industries, including:

  • advertising, marketing, and public relations
  • banking and financial management
  • profit and nonprofit management
  • government
  • arts and entertainment industry
  • writing, editing, and publishing

Online Education at Penn State

Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more than a decade of experience in online learning. We strive to create an online learning environment that brings you as close to the face-to-face experience as possible. Learn more about Penn State World Campus