Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies program allows adults — whose jobs, family or community obligations may have prevented regular college attendance — to earn a degree while completing coursework at their own pace. Liberal Studies students integrate their wealth of knowledge and real-world experiences with formal learning to meet their personal learning goals and gain the rewards of academic achievement.

Liberal Studies students work through our competency-based education (CBE) track. This format allows you to learn at your own pace: once you’ve mastered a topic, you can advance immediately to the next topic. For students who are eager to complete their program as quickly as possible, the CBE track can represent a meaningful savings in time and resources.

UToledo’s Liberal Studies program includes topical seminars in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences that provide the foundation of the program. These examine a wide variety of studies including anthropology, art, drama, geography, history, literature, music, philosophy, political science and sociology. Students benefit from taking a wide scope of subjects; attending seminar-formatted, student-driven classes that focus on a specific topic; and exploring events and attitudes through critical thinking and interaction with other adult students.

Students also pick a concentration related to an area that meets their professional or personal goals. Students take an active role in determining the direction and content of their learning. The capstone requirement of the program is the Senior Capstone, which builds upon the concentration selected by the student. 

This Liberal Studies program is a popular degree completion option for those with existing college credit. Additionally, you may be able to apply transfer credits, military credits and prior-learning credits — relevant academic, work, volunteer and life experiences — toward your bachelor's degree.

This degree can be completed on campus or 100% online. Some required courses in the major are offered only online; electives and general education classes may be taken either online or on campus.

Minimum computer skills are advised for online distance learning courses, such as Internet navigation, email and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office. Students who need assistance with basic computer skills should consult with their advisor for information.