Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts

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Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

Concentrations Offered

African American Studies, Environmental Justice, Gender Studies, International Studies, Linguistics, Political Communication, Customized Pathway

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Design an Interdisciplinary Major: Integrate two or more disciplines into one cohesive, purpose-driven degree.

02

Choose Flexibility or Structure: Create a fully individualized combination of emphasis areas or follow a thoughtfully designed concentration pathway.

03

Stand Out with a Distinctive Perspective: Graduate with a cross-disciplinary background that sets you apart in competitive career fields.

04

Build a Strategic Academic Plan: Develop a well-rounded, intentional plan of study aligned with your long-term goals.

05

Earn a Respected, Personalized Degree: Complete a rigorous, customizable program tailored to your interests, strengths, and timeline.

Core
Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Discipline Expertise
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Research and Presentation Skills
  • Logical Analysis

Sample
Jobs

  • Intelligence Officer
  • Campaign Manager
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • Policy Advisor
  • Minister

Successful Career Outcomes

100% of Liberal Arts graduates are employed or pursuing graduate degrees within 6 months of graduation. According to the 2024-2025 First Destination Survey

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Public Affairs
  • Intelligence Agencies
  • Non-Profits
  • Ministry
  • Education

Brag
Points

  • Intentionally align coursework with specific professional goals rather than being limited by traditional major boundaries.
  • Academic breadth and upper-level depth develops critical thinking, communication skills, and interdisciplinary problem-solving - highly valued in today’s workforce.

Spotlight

"The Liberal Arts degree was incredibly beneficial in providing an engaging educational foundation that will adequately prepare me for my future career in law or politics. Not only were the courses beneficial, but the faculty and staff were incredibly personable and supportive. The Political Communication concentration allowed me to integrate two areas of focus that are not only beneficial to my future career but that I deeply enjoy. Additionally as a student pursuing a pre-law minor, combining the political science and communication emphasis areas made it easier to finish my degree requirements." 
-Anna Black, May 2025 Liberal Arts-Political Communication Graduate

Liberal Arts

2025-2026 Major Map

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Start with core courses that sharpen your writing, communication, scientific reasoning, and global awareness. You’ll begin exploring interests while building the academic skills needed for long-term success.

2nd Year

Dive deeper into humanities and social sciences while beginning coursework in your chosen emphasis areas. In IDS 2111, you’ll design a personalized plan of study aligned with your career goals.

3rd Year

Focus on upper-division coursework across your emphasis areas. This is where your interdisciplinary degree takes shape and your unique academic perspective begins to stand out.

4th Year

Complete advanced coursework and finish with a senior capstone project presented publicly. You’ll graduate with a customized, rigorous degree—and a signature project that demonstrates what you can do.

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

Get involved early through class projects, labs, service-learning, and student organizations. Start discovering what kinds of real-world experiences excite you.

2nd Year

Seek research assistant roles, faculty-led projects, or part-time positions related to your emphasis areas. Begin connecting classroom concepts to practical experience.

3rd Year

Pursue internships, advanced research, leadership roles, or field-based coursework. Your interdisciplinary focus allows you to apply knowledge in creative, cross-disciplinary ways.

4th Year

Complete a senior capstone project that demonstrates hands-on research, analysis, or applied work—presenting your results publicly at the Undergraduate Research Symposium as a professional-level achievement.

Connect with Community

1st Year

Join student organizations, attend campus events, and start building relationships with peers and professors.

2nd Year

Participate in service-learning, volunteer work, or community-based class projects tied to your emphasis areas.

3rd Year

Take on leadership roles in organizations, mentor younger students, or collaborate with community partners on meaningful initiatives.

4th Year

Present research publicly, contribute to campus-wide events, and leave a lasting mark through your capstone and community engagement.

Explore the World

1st Year

Begin foreign language study and take courses that expand your understanding of cultures, histories and global issues.

2nd Year

Explore national student exchange experiences that allow you to study intriguing courses at various renowned U.S. institutions. 

3rd Year

Participate in study abroad, global internships, research travel or faculty-led international experiences that align with your interests.

4th Year

Integrate global perspectives into your senior project and articulate how your international experiences prepare you for a global workforce.

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Explore career paths connected to your interdisciplinary interests and begin building foundational professional skills.

2nd Year

Utilize the Career Center to develop your professional portfolio, including your resume, cover letter, interview skills and more. 

3rd Year

Secure internships, research roles, shadowing opportunities or part-time work in your fields of interest. 

4th Year

Graduate with a customized degree, advanced coursework, and a senior project that serves as a tangible example of your skills—ready for employment or graduate study.

Alumni
Success

Anna Black, Spring 2025 graduate of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Political Communication, was admitted to the University of Mississippi School of Law in Fall 2025.

Learn More

BA in Liberal Arts degree requirements *contact advisor for concentration requirements Apply to MSU