Liberal Arts

If you're looking for flexibility, soft skills that employers seek, or the opportunity to explore your interests while being rewarded for incremental steps toward a degree, studying Liberal Arts at the U of R can do all of this and more.

The Liberal Arts Certificate and Diploma are stand-alone U of R credentials you can complete with 10 or 20 courses respectively. Finish the certificate, add it to your resumé and showcase your broad base of knowledge along with with your ability to think creatively, problem solve and write with clarity and conviction. With the certificate courses, you are already halfway to the Liberal Arts Diploma. With your certificate and diploma, you can then apply the courses to the requirements of many degree programs. It's the little steps that make your biggest goals seem more achievable.

Liberal Arts students come from a variety of educational backgrounds:

• Have you taken a few university courses in the past but didn't finish your program? You might just need a few more courses to finish the Certificate.
• Do you want to start small, test the waters and decide later on if you want to commit to a degree program? Commit to the shorter, 10-course Liberal Arts Certificate, get the credential, then decide if you want to pursue the next step with further study.
• Do you want to keep your options open but still work toward a credential that can then take you in many directions? Apply the courses to further study in a number of different career paths like social work, science, kinesiology, performing arts or business administration.

Not only can the Liberal Arts Certificate and Diploma keep your career and educational doors open, they can be taken 100% online, freeing you to work or take care of whatever life throws at you.

A liberal arts education is for those who are curious and want to explore a wide variety of interests while building career-ready skills and keeping options open.

What is Liberal Arts?

Liberal arts, or the study of broad subject areas like language, history, writing, social science, art, math and more, can build foundational career-relevant skills and general knowledge, preparing you for a range of professions or further study.

Through this program, you acquire a wide knowledge base and gain the confidence and flexibility to continually learn new skills and apply them in an ever-changing workplace. Studying liberal arts can be an effective way to develop and showcase your transferable skills. For example, learn how to research, write, collaborate, be creative, think critically and communicate effectively.

A graduating average of at least 70 per cent from a four-year baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) is required for admission to all programs except for English, History, Mathematics and Statistics and the Master of Public Administration where the required average is 75 per cent.

Applicants with a marginally lower four-year average may be accepted if their performance in the last two complete years is significantly higher (75 per cent or more).

Applicants must have the academic background required to undertake graduate studies in their chosen field. Applicants who fail to meet this requirement but who otherwise meet the criteria may be admitted; however, background deficiencies must be addressed by taking appropriate courses either prior to or in parallel with graduate work.