The Office of Liberal Studies houses two undergraduate degree programs: the two-year Associate of Arts program and the four-year Bachelor of Liberal Studies program. 

To qualify for either the Associate of Arts or the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree, a student must earn at Armstrong Atlantic State University at least 30 semester hours of credit applicable toward the degree.  Credit may also be earned through approved CLEP tests, eCore courses, independent study, and transfer courses that have been approved by the Office of the Registrar.



ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (AA)
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree program provides a substantial liberal arts education as a base for upper-division specialization.    Most students who graduate from Armstrong with an Associate of Arts degree eventually go on to pursue a baccalaureate degree.  

The program requirements for the AA degree are essentially those of Areas A through of E of AASU's core curriculum--plus 18 hours of electives (which must include COMM 2280: Speech Communication).   Students planning work toward a baccalaureate degree should select courses that meet listed requirements (in most cases, Area F requirements) of that degree program.

Who majors in the Associate of Arts?
  students who wish to complete the core curriculum at AASU before transferring to another university to pursue a bachelor's degree.
  students who wish to complete the core curriculum before entering a professional degree program (such as nursing or teacher education) at Armstrong.
  students, especially non-traditional students, who attend the university part-time and who value formal recognition of their achievements as they progress toward a baccalaureate degree.
For additional information and advice, please see the Liberal Studies FAQ page.

AASU's Associate of Arts program is also available at the Liberty Center in Hinesville, Georgia.  



BACHELOR OF LIBERAL ARTS (BLS)
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree is a multi-disciplinary program emphasizing breadth of learning in the arts and sciences.  The program has been designed primarily for mature students with clearly defined academic and career goals.

The program requirements for the BLS degree include the 62 semester hours required for the AA degree plus 18 hours of liberal studies courses (one or two from each of four defined fields), 15-18 hours in an area of concentration (essentially, any minor approved by the University System of Georgia), and 24-27 hours of electives.  A minimum of 39 hours must be at the 3000-level or above, no more than 27 hours may be completed in a single discipline, and at least nine of the 18 hours in the liberal studies section must be completed at AASU. 

Students in the BLS program are encouraged to rely on the assistance of two academic advisors: an advisor in the Office of Liberal Studies (for guidance in overall degree planning) and an advisor in the area of concentration (for assistance in selecting appropriate courses in the "minor").  

Who majors in the Bachelor of Liberal Studies?
  mature students who already possess significant work experience and who are seeking a bachelor's degree to advance themselves both personally and professionally.
  mature students with a range of academic interests who intend to pursue graduate work in fields that encourage multi-disciplinary undergraduate study.
For additional information and advice, please see the Liberal Studies FAQ page.

AASU's Bachelor of Liberal Studies is also available at the Liberty Center and at the Brunswick University Center on the campus of the College of Coastal Georgia.  For further information, call Brenda Taylor, Interim Director, at (912) 264 7227.



CHANGING MAJORS

What steps should I take before changing my major to the Associate of Arts or the Bachelor of General Studies?
  Carefully review the information on this web site and in the AASU Catalog.
  If you are uncertain about your career path (and thus uncertain about your major), schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor in AASU's Office of Career Services.
  Schedule an appointment to discuss the AA or the BLS program with Ms. Peggy Williams, the Degree Program Assistant in the Office of Liberal Studies.
If you decide to change your major, follow these steps: (1) Log onto SHIP; (2) click on "Student Services and Financial Aid"; (3) click on "Change Major (Degree Information)" and follow the instructions.