American College Dublin

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

The four-year Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Liberal Arts provides an intellectually stimulating and challenging program in the liberal arts, with a wide range of modules. The program is structured around two common years, with an emphasis on research in the third year of study.

In the final year, students are required to choose five modules along with a Research Seminar, Research Methods, and a dissertation. The program broadens student’s knowledge and advances their communication skills in a wide range of intellectual areas, and provides them with an understanding of other cultures, their intrinsic values and historical experiences. As far as it is possible, the program helps students to make ethically and intellectually informed decisions which take account of the complexity and diversity of the world in which we live.

The program is designed to prepare students for a number of future avenues. The degree is particularly useful as a preparation for postgraduate study in the liberal arts, business studies and the law. Vocationally, the degree supports career development in such fields as business, social services, the arts, administration, teaching and research. To be in a position to advance, students will be expected to develop intellectual, practical and transferable skills. When students complete the program, they will command a number of intellectual skills, including the critical abilities of being able to read and analyse a large variety of texts, appreciate visual evidence, and assess valid supporting dialogue. For their future development, they will also have developed a range of practical skills, including effective essay writing and, where appropriate, an element of creative writing.

The four-year program has US accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Students graduating from this program will be awarded two diplomas, one accredited by QQI in Ireland and one accredited in the US.

It serves as preparation for students to participate in a variety of postgraduate programs such as the MFA in Creative Writing and MB in International Business.