Online Bachelor's in Liberal Studies
Open doors by unlocking your potential.
The Liberal Studies program offers students an educational experience that emphasizes broad academic inquiry and purposeful interdisciplinarity. The online program is a good fit for students whose interests fall outside a discipline-specific major, transfer students, and returning students. The Liberal Studies program helps students contextualize their learning through the lens of liberal education and personal and social responsibility, acquire skills in writing, research, and communication, gain breadth of knowledge in arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and pursue specialization in a minor or focus area.
Why UW-Whitewater Online?
- Learn at your own pace, when it’s convenient for you
- Build connections through online assignments and discussion boards
- Strong alumni network
#44 Best Online Bachelor's Program
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2022.
Fully Online
No requirements to come to campus.
Specialized
enhance your knowledge base or expand your career options.
Online Bachelor's in Liberal Studies
The Online Bachelor's in Liberal Studies requirements have been designed to prepare you for success as a student in the program and your subsequent career.
Curriculum
Requirement Area A: Context
- A1: Seminar in Liberal Studies
- A2: Personal & Social Responsibility
- A3: Capstone in Liberal Studies
Requirement Area B: Skills
- B1: Writing Skills
- B2: Intellectual & Practical Skills (Analytical, Research, or Computer)
- B3: Expression Skills (Creative Expression, Oral Communication, or Foreign Language)
Requirement Area C: Content
- C1: North American & European Cultural Heritages (focus on humanities & arts)
- C2: Society and Identity (focus on social sciences)
- C3: Global Studies (outside North America & Europe)
- C4: Physical and Natural World (focus on natural sciences)
Requirement Area D: Experience
- D1: Internship
- D2: Travel Study
Requirement Area E: Focus Area or Minor
Learning Outcomes
By the end of their Liberal Studies program, students will be able to:
- Think critically, integrate and synthesize knowledge from diverse perspectives and evaluate complex information
- Make informed ethical and value judgments
- Understand and explain the value of a liberal education
- Apply the concepts and methodologies of the liberal arts to understand issues in society and in one’s own life
- Communicate effectively in written form
- Effectively utilize intellectual and practical skills-- including analytical skills, research methods, and/or computer skills
- Effectively utilize expression skills-- including communicating creatively, orally, or in a language other than English
- Demonstrate a base of knowledge from various disciplines-- including arts & humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences
- Demonstrate a base of knowledge about cultures within North America & Europe
- Demonstrate a base of knowledge about cultures outside North America & Europe
There are several application paths an online bachelor's student might take including as transfer, reentry, freshman, or second-degree seeking applicants. For more information on each path, click on the links below.
If you aren’t sure which application path to follow or need help completing the UW-System E-Application, complete the Request Information form and a program representative will get in touch with you.
Transfer applicants
Transfer applicants are students that have attended another college or university (including having earned an associate degree) but have never attended UW-Whitewater. You will find detailed application and transfer information at University Admissions.
Reentry applicants
Reentry applicants are students that have previously attended UW-Whitewater. Application information can be found at University Admissions.
Freshman applicants
Freshman applicants are students that have never attended a college or university. If you have never attended a college or university, regardless of age, you would be considered a freshman applicant. You can find application information for freshman applicants at University Admissions.
Second-Degree seeking applicants
Second-Degree seeking applicants are students who have already earned a bachelor's degree and would like to pursue another. If you would like to earn another bachelor’s degree, you can apply to UW-Whitewater’s online bachelor's program as a special student with full credentials. To complete your degree, you would only need to fulfill the College of Letters and Sciences BA or BS requirements and the requirements for the major you choose.
Unofficial Transcript Review
Transfer, Reentry, and Second-Degree Seeking students, can request an unofficial transcript review. An unofficial review will give you an idea of which of your credits might transfer and how those transfer credits might apply to the online bachelor's program. To request a review, complete a request more information form and a program adviser will get in touch with you.
The online bachelor’s program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $409 USD per credit for Wisconsin resident and $829.86 USD per credit as a non-resident for the 2024-25 academic year. Visit the Tuition and Fees webpage for complete information.
Course materials
Textbook rental is included in the cost of tuition for many courses through the University Bookstore's Textbook Rental program.
Financial aid
Students completing a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. To find out, or if you have other financial aid questions, contact the financial aid staff person assigned to you or try uwwfao@uww.edu or 262-472-1130.
