The Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies (AALS) is a flexible degree program that provides the learner with an opportunity to explore and build an academic foundation in liberal arts and general studies and to define their career goals. It provides learners with an initiation into the liberal arts and general studies tradition with a selection of courses from the Humanities, English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. It enables learners to better understand and relate to the world around them from a liberal studies perspective and prepares for entry into a bachelor program at the junior level.
Quick Facts:
- Credits required: 60
- Cost per credit: $425
- Program length: 2 years (full-time status)
- Max transfer credits: 45 credits
Time to degree completion can be accelerated by taking multiple courses in a term and through credits accepted in transfer.
What you’ll learn
Communicate effectively through written, oral, and visual presentations.
Establish productive relationships within a multicultural and diverse environment.
Apply theories from a variety of disciplines to solve problems.
Demonstrate knowledge and application of professional ethics.
Analyze data to identify problems and draw appropriate conclusions.
Evaluate methods of inquiry and evidence-based practice in the behavioral and social sciences.
Career Outcomes
Business Development
Client Services
Communication Specialist
Marketing Coordinator
Project Manager
Researcher
Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| University Success Online | 3 |
| General Education | 21 |
| Elective Courses | 36 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE AALS | 60 |
Courses + Credits
The following courses comprise the curriculum of CalSouthern’s Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies (AALS) degree program. If you have questions regarding any of these courses or about CalSouthern’s AALS program, please contact an Admissions Representative today.
University Success Online
- UNIV 1000 University Success Online — 3 credits
General Education Courses and Credit Distribution
| Category | Credits |
|---|---|
| English (Communication) | 9 |
| Humanities | 9 |
| Mathematics | 6 |
| Natural Sciences | 6 |
| Social Sciences | 6 |
| TOTAL GE CREDITS REQUIRED | 36 |
English (Communication)
- ENG 1101 English Composition I (Required) — 3 credits
- ENG 1102 English Composition II (Required) — 3 credits
- ENG 1200 American Literature — 3 credits
- ENG 1400 Introduction to Public Speaking — 3 credits
- ENG 1406 Professional and Technical Writing — 3 credits
- BUS 3414 Business Communications — 3 credits
- LDR 1490 Nonverbal Communications in Leadership — 3 credits
Humanities
- HU 1104 The Art of Wondering — 3 credits
- HU 1120 Introduction to Humanities I — 3 credits
- HU 1130 Critical Thinking (Required) — 3 credits
- HU 1205 Introduction to Theater — 3 credits
- HU 1410 World Religions — 3 credits
- HU 1421 Introduction to Humanities II — 3 credits
Mathematics
- MATH 1105 Mathematics for Business — 3 credits
- MATH 1110 College Mathematics — 3 credits
- MATH 1115 Pre-Calculus — 3 credits
- MATH 1200 Algebra — 3 credits
- MATH 1215 Calculus — 3 credits
- MATH 1305 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences — 3 credits
- BUS 3413 Business Statistics — 3 credits
Natural Sciences
- NS 1103 Introduction to Geology — 3 credits
- NS 1105 General Biology — 3 credits
- NS 1106 Health and Nutrition — 3 credits
- NS 1107 Environmental Science — 3 credits
- NS 1203 Physical Geography — 3 credits
- NS 1205 Introduction to Oceanography — 3 credits
- NS 1400 Anthropology — 3 credits
Social Sciences
- SS 1102 United States Government — 3 credits
- SS 1103 United States History to 1877 — 3 credits
- SS 1104 United States History 1877 to Present — 3 credits
- SS 1107 African American History to 1877 — 3 credits
- SS 1108 African American History 1877 to Present — 3 credits
- SS 1200 Sociology — 3 credits
- SS 1203 Cultural Geography — 3 credits
- SS 1205 Women’s History in America — 3 credits
- SS 1217 Cultural Anthropology — 3 credits
- SS 1220 Women, Culture and Society: Study of Gender — 3 credits
- PSY 2300 Introduction to Psychology — 3 credits
Download the University Catalog for full course descriptions, prerequisite information, and program details.
At CalSouthern, you are not alone. The University has very competent mentors that are readily available, quite helpful, and very supportive for online learners like us. In the same way, the University’s academic support team is equally available whenever help is needed, and our dean has personally demonstrated to me a commitment to help you succeed.
– Omari Gekombe
Ready to get back to your dreams? We can help!
Contact us to learn more about our online AALS degree program.
Call us at: 1.800.477.2254 | Email: admissions@calsouthern.edu
Accreditation & Approvals
California Southern University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional accreditation is the most highly respected and recognized form of accreditation in the United States, and it provides students with a number of important benefits and opportunities. www.wscuc.org.
Please visit the Accreditation & Licensure page to learn more.