Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
Jump-Start Your College Education and Earn a Valuable Credential
100% Online Coursework
Transfer Prior Credits
CLEP Scores Accepted
Small Classes
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about Adelphi’s programs. An enrollment counselor will reach out to you to discuss coursework, financial aid and more.
- Duration 1-2 years
- Cost per Credit $505
- Credit Hours 30-64*
Program Benefits
- Choose a flexible degree made for working professionals
- Study part time or full time
- Save time and money through Credit for Prior Learning
- Prepare for a bachelor’s degree at Adelphi
Expand Your Knowledge and Gain Career-Ready Skills
Gain broad knowledge and transferable skills for nearly any career with an online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Adelphi University. You’ll benefit from a well-rounded education in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences as you sharpen your writing, thinking, research and communication skills.
Ultimately, you can enter or advance in your ideal career and transfer your credits to an Adelphi University bachelor’s degree.
Explore Our Well-Rounded Associate of Liberal Arts Curriculum
30-64 Credits*
7.5-Week Courses
Required Courses
This course prepares students for college writing and in particular to meet the practical demands of contemporary professional communications, including research and presentation of written analytical reports and project proposals, visual design of written material, and oral presentations. Practice in clear writing for focused audiences will be emphasized.
One of the following: ANS 131, or, a Lab Science:
Knowledge of the workings, strengths and limitations of science is a necessity for good citizenship and healthy living. This course, discusses these matters with reference to the theory of evolution, threats to our environment, and aids to public and individual health. Intended to help non-science think critically about scientific arguments.
One of the following: ASO 205, or, transfer credit for two social science courses:
Issues in this course are examined from the perspectives of the social sciences, using core constructs of each as frameworks for understanding the complex forces that shape our social and individual world. Principles of inquiry are used in the course to support students’ abilities to apply knowledge to daily problems.
Choose one of the following courses, or, transfer credit for two college-level mathematics courses:
This course attempts to provide a sampler: graphs, operators, probability, statistics and more. It deals with some logical and psychological issues that stand in the way of effective problem solving. This course gives students an understanding of mathematical developments that create changes in the modern world.
Learn some basic concepts of probability theory, especially random variables, in particular the binomial and normal random variables. Understand the meaning of the Central Limit Theorem. Be able to determine confidence intervals and perform hypothesis tests for means and proportions. Learn how to do chi-squared tests. Offered: Fall, Spring
Develops tools for making decisions when faced with data. Learn techniques for analyzing and displaying data, and performing statistical tests, using illustrative examples drawn from the sciences. Make extensive use of statistical software in integrated labs and lectures as an aid to reason. Offered: Fall, Spring
Complete 24 elective credit hours:
- Art Courses: 2 courses
- Humanities Courses: 2 courses
- Social Science Courses: 2 courses
- Total: 24 elective credit hours
Associate of Liberal Arts Degree Admission Requirements
Transfer up to 34 Credits
CLEP Scores Accepted
We’ve made it easy to apply to Adelphi University’s Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all prior institutions showing a GPA of 2.0 or higher; conditional admission may be granted to applicants with GPAs that do not meet the minimum requirement. |
| Other Requirements | Required – Statement of purpose or essay Optional – Letter of recommendation and/or a resume Transfer credits may require additional documentation |
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
International Students
Adelphi University welcomes international students. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
| Degree | Graduation from a four-year secondary school |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all prior institutions in both English and the original language showing a GPA of 2.0 or higher |
| Other Requirements | Required – SAT/ACT or English proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS or DET) scores and a personal statement or essay – Students with international coursework must also submit a course-by-course evaluation of their academic work prepared by a NACES member organization. Optional – Letter of recommendation and/or a resume |
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
Transfer Credits
The Associate in Arts of Liberal Arts program allows a maximum of 34 transfer credits and credits for prior learning hours, subject to approval. A minimum of 30 must be taken at Adelphi. Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning.
When to Apply
Apply now to earn your Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree from Adelphi University. With three start dates per year, it’s never been a better time to take the next step. Call 855.476.7985 to learn more.
Discover an Affordable Associate of Liberal Arts Degree
$15,150 to $32,320** Total Tuition
$505** Per Credit Hour
The online liberal arts degree program offers a cost-effective way to expand your knowledge and advance your career. We have a team that’s dedicated to answering your financial questions and they’ll be there to assist you with financial aid, scholarship opportunities, loans and military benefits.
| Cost per credit hour | $505 |
| Total number of credit hours | 26 – 60 depending on transfer credits |
| Total estimated cost, minus fees | $15,150 – $32,320** |
| Additional fees, if applicable | $50 application fee |
Military Students
Your education is an investment, and at Adelphi University we’re proud to make it as affordable as possible. We now offer tuition for Veterans & Active Military (including eligible spouses and dependent children) at a discounted rate of just $250 per credit hour for undergraduate programs.
Additionally, an application fee waiver is available to all military personnel and veterans. To learn more about this and other benefits for servicemembers please visit our veterans and military resource page here.
Financial Aid Opportunities
When you apply to Adelphi University, we suggest you fill out the FAFSA® as soon as possible. Adelphi’s FAFSA® number is 002666.
In addition to FAFSA® and any financial aid Adelphi University can offer, we encourage you to search for tuition assistance from your employer, grants or scholarships. You can also speak with an Adelphi enrollment counselor at any time to explore your options by calling 855.476.7985. Find out more about financial aid.
Build on Your Education and Pursue Multiple Career Paths
The knowledge and skills you gain in Adelphi’s Associate of Liberal Arts degree will help you enter or advance in your ideal career because your education shows that you’re dedicated to learning and self-improvement. If you’re figuring out your path, the program can help you discover your interests and strengths.
A liberal arts degree can apply to nearly any career because the subjects you’ll study apply to a broad range of fields. Whether you’re interested in business, health sciences, social sciences, social work, criminal justice and more, you’ll be able to take your next step and boost your career prospects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with an associate degree earn about $169 more per week than those with a high school diploma, and have a 1.4% lower unemployment rate .1
Robust Career Services
As an online student, you will have access to comprehensive support through our Center for Career and Professional Development. Our team of career educators can prepare you for professional success through services like Handshake, recruitment programs and job fairs.
Top Recognition for Adelphi University
Adelphi has been transforming lives with our unique approach to learning for more than 125 years. By welcoming students from around the globe, we’ve expanded our academic offerings and geographic reach, celebrating significant milestones and successful outcomes.
Adelphi University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and our degree programs have received considerable recognition from numerous national publications and organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Colleges of Distinction, Military Friendly and more:
Program Outcomes and Skills Acquired
In the Associate of Liberal Arts program, you’ll explore topics and fields that will help you excel in a wide variety of careers. The program will also help you understand how to apply these principles and what they mean in the larger context of the world.
What You’ll Learn
The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree serves as a strong foundational credential, offering a stepping-stone toward a bachelor’s degree. Designed for busy adult learners, this flexible program prepares you for complex problem-solving through a broad survey of general education courses in the humanities, social sciences and the arts.
Skills You’ll Gain
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Cultural awareness
- Networking
- Problem solving
- Research
- Study skills
- Time management
Get Support From Experienced Faculty
Our faculty members are expert practitioners in their fields and are dedicated to supporting our students and helping them grow as learners. Through the course of your study at Adelphi, they’ll be here to give you guidance and help you with your questions, so you’ll always feel supported.
Online Study at Adelphi University
By enrolling in Adelphi University’s online programs, you’re gaining access to a team of supportive faculty and top-notch student services. Online study at Adelphi includes:
Answers to Common Questions
Explore our FAQs to learn more about the online Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. Reach out to us for more information if your question is not included here.
You can apply to the program anytime and take advantage of one of five start dates per year.
This is a versatile program that touches on a variety of practical skills over a wide range of topics. Graduates of this program go on to pursue careers in a number of exciting fields like education, counseling, business, emergency services and more.
The program includes 64 total credits, although your transfer credits will vary the number of credits you’ll need to complete.
You can complete the degree program in 1-2 years depending on the number of transfer credits you have. You can also study par time or full time, which might affect your time to completion.
Total tuition for the degree program ranges from $15,150 to $32,320 depending on the number of transfer credits you have. A maximum of 34 transfer credit hours may be accepted, subject to approval, which will affect the final number of credit hours needed to graduate, total tuition cost, and time to degree completion. This figure does not include any fees or other expenses you may incur and is subject to change.
You’ll learn from scholars, practitioners, adjunct faculty and tenured faculty who bring their expertise, scholarship and industry knowledge to their course instruction. Our faculty have worked with non-traditional and adult students and are sensitive to their backgrounds.
Sources and Disclaimers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Career Outlook. “Education pays, 2024.” May 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2025/data-on-display/education-pays.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Police and Detectives.” Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Property, Real Estate and Community Association Managers.” Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/property-real-estate-and-community-association-managers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Paralegals and Legal Assistants.”Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Library Technicians and Assistants.” Retrieved July 25, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/library-technicians-and-assistants.htm.
*A maximum of 34 transfer credit hours may be accepted, subject to approval, which will affect the final number of credit hours needed to graduate and time to degree completion. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned at Adelphi.
**$505 cost per credit and total tuition apply to students enrolling for the Fall 2025 term and beyond.