Online BA in Liberal Studies
Tailor This Customizable Liberal Studies Degree to Your Future
Online
1 – 4 Years
120 Credit Hours
Cost per Credit Varies
Request More Information
Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Join a Top-Ranked, Supportive HBCU Community – 100% Online
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Boost your credibility and expand your career pathways when you earn the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from DSU Online. This interdisciplinary program teaches you the practical skills and knowledge that employers seek, whether you enroll with DSU to start or complete your bachelor’s degree. Transfer up to 90 credit hours to graduate faster and select a focus area that aligns with your personal and professional interests: psychology, management, public health, social work or leadership.
Program Details
- Ideal for first-year, returning and transfer students
- Choose courses that match your interests
- Experiential curriculum with opportunities to apply new skills
- Ranked #2 among HBCUs with online degrees by Forbes1
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Build a Degree Plan Aligned to Your Goals
Up to 90 Transfer Credits
8-Week Courses
The DSU Online liberal studies degree is a customizable program designed to meet you exactly where you are. You will work with an advisor to select courses that set you up for success and choose a career-ready focus area to further hone an elevated skillset.
If you have previously earned credits, you can transfer up to 90 credit hours from four-year institutions and 60 credit hours from community colleges. You may also be eligible for Credits for Prior Learning (PLA) through relevant work experience, military service, professional training or certifications.
Take a Look at What the Online Liberal Studies Degree Offers
Become a Part of the DSU Online Family
With us, you’ll gain a committed team of faculty and staff who know you by name, help you stay on track and support you through graduation.
Delaware State is an R2 Research University
We are recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education for our ongoing dedication to research and scholarly growth.2
Learn From a Top-Ranked HBCU Known for Quality
Diversity, cultural heritage and equity are embedded in who we are — that’s why we’re the U.S. News & World Report’s #10 HBCU in the nation.3
Admission Requirements
Review DSU’s Accessible Admission Requirements
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
We’ve streamlined our processes, so applying to the Delaware State online liberal studies program has never been easier. Submit your transcripts from all previously attended high schools and/or higher education institutions to get started.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts |
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| Transfer Credits | You may apply up to 90 applicable credits to your bachelor’s degree program |
| Official Test Scores | No test scores required |
International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Adjust Your DSU Online Tuition To Fit Your Budget
At DSU Online, we understand that affordable tuition is important to your undergraduate experience and career advancement. To help, we offer tuition that adjusts depending on the number of courses you take.
| Cost per Credit Hour |
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| Total Number of Credit Hours | 120 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | Varies |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Prepare for a Wide Range of Rewarding Careers
This online liberal studies program teaches you key communication, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that make a real impact in the workplace. Equipped with this interdisciplinary degree, you will have the power to determine your next career step in rewarding fields such as K-12 education, public administration and counseling.
Plus, you’ll benefit from our strong reputation as a nationally acclaimed HBCU. We are Delaware’s #1 supplier of nurses, social workers, teachers and accountants of color.4
Explore Possible Career Pathways and Their Salaries
Social and Community Service Manager $78,240 per year5
Human Resources Specialist $72,910 per year6
“I wholeheartedly believe this is the perfect undergraduate degree program. It set me up for success in my future endeavors.”
–Jordan Lane, Liberal Studies, Class of 2024
What You’ll Learn
In this liberal studies degree, you will gain the strong foundations and advanced soft skills needed to thrive in today’s complex, rapidly evolving workforce. Designed for learners at every stage, this flexible program lets you tailor your academic path to your goals, building career-ready expertise in key areas like these:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Professional writing and communication
- Leadership and teamwork
- Ethical reasoning and civic engagement
- Interdisciplinary research and analysis
- Experiential and capstone learning
- Career-focused planning and development
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of knowledge and methods from disciplines the humanities, arts, sciences and social sciences
- Articulate how a liberal studies educational experience relates to an individual career choice and daily life
- Describe and evaluate the connections among different academic disciplines
- Analyze, think critically, apply problem-solving skills, write clearly and write persuasively in their chosen discipline
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Turhan L. Potter, Sr.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Turhan L. Potter, Sr.
Dr. Potter is an accomplished educator and scholar with more than two decades of experience spanning higher education, K-12 education and leadership development. He currently holds an EdD in Higher Education from Wilmington University and is finishing his PhD in Leadership Studies at the University of the Cumberlands.
Sources
- Forbes. “Best HBCUs With Online Degrees of 2026.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/best-hbcu/.
- U.S. Department of Education. “2025 HBCU Carnegie Classifications.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/2025-hbcu-carnegie-classifications/.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Delaware State University Rankings.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428.
- State of Delaware. Office of Management and Budget, Budget Development and Planning. “FY27 Governor’s Recommended Operating Budget – Higher Education.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://budget.delaware.gov/budget/fy2027/documents/operating/higher-ed.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social and Community Service Managers.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Human Resource Specialists.” Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm.