Liberal Studies, BS
The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies program is built for students with a deep interest in social justice, human rights and cultural awareness. This customizable degree program empowers you with a holistic understanding of the world and your place in it so that you can use your knowledge to effect positive change on a practical level.
We designed the program to give you the freedom to create your own course of study. Seventy percent of the program is elective courses, distributed into three domains:
- Humanities: art history, communications, English, foreign languages, history, music, philosophy, religious studies and theater
- Natural Sciences and Math: biology, chemistry and mathematics
- Social Sciences: economics, human services, political science, psychology and sociology
As you engage with ideas from around the globe, you will learn to improve your reasoning and problem-solving skills, expand your appreciation of cultural diversity, develop a deeper self-understanding through personal reflection and build a portfolio of experiences that will enable you to become an engaged community member.
Why Choose Hilbert for Your Liberal Studies Degree?
At Hilbert College, our graduates are bold enough to amplify goodness in the world. We prioritize a sense of service, compassion and integrity in everything we do, resulting in a tight-knit community of impassioned graduates devoted to using their education and careers to actualize the changes they’ve dreamed of. And we offer students the skills, support and direction to do it.
Nobody makes meaningful, lasting change on their own; they need the support of a community behind them—and they can find it at Hilbert.
What Can You Do With a Liberal Studies Degree?
The interdisciplinary coursework provided by the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies program will equip you with a well-rounded skill set that can apply to almost any field or industry. Our graduates are influencers in health care, education, business, government and more. The program is also an effective springboard for pursuing a graduate degree in the field you’re interested in. Many of our students come into the program open to an eclectic array of knowledge, then graduate having gained a focus-driven sense of purpose and direction in their fields.
Liberal Studies Pathways
Fast Track Your Teaching Career
Embark on an accelerated journey to becoming a certified educator with Hilbert College and Canisius University's 4+1 Master of Science in Education program. Designed for English BA and Liberal Studies BS majors, this unique pathway enables you to seamlessly integrate Canisius University education coursework into your undergraduate studies, starting as early as your freshman or sophomore year. This strategic approach allows you to earn both your bachelor's degree from Hilbert and your master's degree from Canisius, along with New York State teaching certifications in Adolescent Education and Special Education.
Earn Your Law Degree Faster with Hilbert's 3+3 Program with UB
Want to become a lawyer but shave a year off your journey? The Hilbert College & UB Law School 3+3 Program allows you to earn both your bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor (JD) in just six years! Our 3+3 program saves you time and money while launching your legal career faster. Learn more about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
2 Ways to Earn Your Liberal Studies Degree
At Hilbert College, we’re dedicated to providing an educational experience that best suits your unique needs. That’s why our flexible liberal studies degree program options allow you to earn your degree on-campus or online.
Internship Opportunities
To help you focus on your career choice, you’ll be encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities. Students can arrange semester-long internships, either at local organizations and agencies or outside the region in places such as Albany, New York, or Washington, D.C.
These types of internships for college credit supply invaluable real-world experience and networking opportunities with working professionals.
Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies Career Paths
The liberal studies degree will help you determine what’s truly important to you and how you can incorporate those passions into your career. On completion of the degree, you can qualify to compete for a variety of careers such as:
Median annual salary: $61,350
Median annual salary: $62,800
Median annual salary: $62,290
Median annual salary: $74,000
Median annual salary: $122,510
*Salary information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Liberal Studies Degree Job Outlook
Liberal studies majors that can demonstrate problem-solving skills, multicultural competencies and creativity are in high demand among employers. These graduates are prepared for a wide variety of academic and professional paths.
Academic Opportunities
- Graduate studies in any field
Professional Opportunities
- Writing, editing and publishing
- Primary and secondary school instruction and administration
- Political and public policy advocacy
- Community organizing
- Human rights activism
- Human resources
- Law enforcement
What Is the Typical Salary for a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies Graduate?
The median salary for Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies degree holders is around $66,000 per year, according to Payscale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies degree holders are equipped with a well-rounded education to effect change in almost any field. Many graduates work in business, health care, education, government and more.
According to Payscale, the median annual salary for a liberal studies degree holder was $66,000 in 2021.
For a student enrolled full time in our 120-credit hour program, the typical time to complete the degree is four years.
Yes. Learn more about Hilbert’s online liberal studies degree.
Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies Degree Curriculum
Our experienced faculty members deliver a career-focused curriculum while encouraging students to focus on the goal of improving the world around them. With our commitment to a global perspective, Hilbert graduates can feel confident they’ve developed universally applicable skills that can work just about anywhere—and more than 90% of them report positive career outcomes.
Contact Us
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Megan Burke Witzleben
Chair, Division of Arts and LettersProfessor
