Liberal Arts (BA) | Online
At 天涯海角社区, the Liberal Arts BA degree prepares students with a biblically based perspective on critical thinking, a broad base of interdisciplinary knowledge, and engagement with modern culture.听 This program serves as a solid foundation for students intending to pursue graduate work in the various fields of the liberal arts.
Why Liberal Arts?
The search for truth and the ability to think across disciplines is a major reason to pursue a degree in the liberal arts鈥攎athematics and science, history and literature, philosophy, fine arts, and social sciences鈥攂ecause they provide us with ways to discover truth in the world. Fitted together with theological reflection on God鈥檚 Word, these disciplines enable us to formulate a robust understanding of God, the world, and ourselves. The breadth of study provides knowledge and background which are often left underdeveloped in other programs, helping the liberal arts graduate thrive in a wide variety of fields.
Why the Online BA in Liberal Arts from 天涯海角社区?
Biblical Integration
天涯海角社区 is committed to the centrality of Christ and the Word of God and is reflected in the curriculum and instruction.
Prepared to Serve
The Cairn mission statement begins with education and ends with character, because we believe that education should change not only what you know, but who you are and what you do.
Experienced Faculty
Students don鈥檛 just have professors, they have mentors who invest in them throughout the program and often remain connected long after graduation.
Flexibility
Complete coursework anywhere through our asynchronous course design, reinforced by substantive faculty engagement.
Affordable Education
Cairn Online programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 programs.听
A Christian Community
Community is about more than simply taking classes together. It is more than having a similar experience.
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Get an inside look at our Liberal Arts Program
The BA in Liberal Arts program has been designed with input from our expert faculty in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ensuring you graduate with the in-demand skills and knowledge that the ministry and workplace needs.听 The program requires 60 credits from the University Core, 45 credits from the specialization courses, 15 credits from electives.听
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Required Credits:听120
Core Curriculum Highlights:听
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A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts (or General Studies, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, etc.) is one of the most versatile degrees because it builds transferable skills: critical thinking, research, writing, communication, analysis, adaptability, and cultural awareness. Employers in many fields value these 鈥渟oft skills鈥� highly, even if the degree isn鈥檛 tied to one specific discipline.
Business & Corporate Roles
- Marketing Coordinator / Specialist
- Sales / Account Executive
- Human Resources (HR) Generalist or Recruiter
- Business Analyst
- Project Coordinator / Manager
- Customer Success / Client Relations Manager
- Corporate Communications or Public Relations Specialist
- Content Marketing / Copywriter
- Social Media Manager
- Operations Coordinator
Media, Writing & Creative Fields
- Journalist / Reporter
- Editor (book, magazine, web)
- Technical Writer
- Grant Writer
- Content Creator / Blogger / YouTuber
- Digital Content Strategist
- Copywriter / Advertising Creative
- Podcast Producer
- Museum Curator / Exhibit Coordinator (often with a master鈥檚)
Government & Public Service
- Policy Analyst (local, state, federal)
- Legislative Assistant
- City Planner staff / Community Development
- Foreign Service Officer (with competitive exam)
- Intelligence Analyst (entry-level)
- Nonprofit Program Coordinator / Development (fundraising)
Further Education / Professional Pathways
- Master鈥檚 in Public Administration (MPA)
- Master鈥檚 in Business Administration (MBA)
- Master鈥檚 in Education (M.Ed.)
- Master鈥檚 in Library Science (MLS)
- Law school (JD)
- Master鈥檚/PhD in a specific humanities field (for academia)
All 天涯海角社区 students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University鈥檚 doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in the听Foundational Statements. Below are the admission requirements:
- Application:听Submit the听Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code faithmatters and we will waive the fee.听
- Transcripts: Order official transcripts for all conferred degrees to be sent to 天涯海角社区.
天涯海角社区 is regionally accredited by听 (MSCHE).
天涯海角社区 participates in the听.
Additional Accreditation Information is available from this page.听
You may also be interested in the following programs:听
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An Affordable Education
天涯海角社区 strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by Cairn faculty and not TAs. Cairn Online programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 programs.听
The tuition rate for the 2026-2027 academic year is听$4,900 block rate for 12-18 credits per semester resulting in $272/credit (with 18 credit load) Additional details on fees and part-time status are available on this page.听
天涯海角社区 also partners with many organizations and offers tuition discounts. Tuition discounts are also available for those working in Christian schools.听Please contact us to find out if your organization has a partnership with 天涯海角社区.听
Additional information on scholarships, grants, and loans is available from听this page.听
Featured Faculty
Matthew McAlack, PhD
Professor, School of Divinity
Dr. Matt McAlack teaches Bible, theology, psychology, and youth and family ministry.
Since 1996, Dr. McAlack has also directed JAM (Junior High Adventures in Ministry), a ministry and evangelism training event for middle schoolers at 天涯海角社区.
In addition to serving at Cairn, Dr. McAlack has also served as a youth pastor and pastor of English ministry, as well as a speaker at conferences and retreats. Currently, he and his wife Michele lead the Youth Ministry and Outreach at Calvary Baptist Church in Bristol Pennsylvania.
Victoria Bradley Aquilone, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dr. Aquilone has always loved learning. She started attending Cairn for her undergraduate degrees in social studies education and Bible while she was a senior in high school. Her studies took her to graduate school where she has spent two degrees鈥攁 master鈥檚 degree in liberal studies from Villanova University and the better part of a PhD in English from the University of Delaware鈥攕tudying human relationships with the natural environment in the context of contemporary American literature.
At the forefront of Tori鈥檚 academic work is the God of the Bible, whose general revelation of Himself in creation, namely His 鈥渋nvisible attributes鈥� of 鈥渆ternal power and divine nature鈥� (Romans 1:20), drives her desire to learn about and care for that very creation, as well as study literary works that celebrate it. In particular, Tori鈥檚 work engages sustainable agriculture, tree community, and plant-thinking. Even with such rich scholarly studies, Tori鈥檚 heart is in the classroom and thoroughly enjoys teaching English Composition, Literature and Arts in Historical Context I & II, and other literature courses.
Cairn Online Frequently Asked Questions鈥�
Currently there are over 6 million online learners in the United States, and those numbers are growing every day. Online degrees that have regional accreditation are held to the same standards as traditional universities, ensuring that students earn a valuable degree that will prepare them with the skills and credentials for their career. Do research to find an online degree that is听accredited听and reputable, such as those offered at 天涯海角社区.
Our program is intentionally grounded in God鈥檚 Word. Courses are thoughtfully designed by Cairn faculty to promote deep learning and active engagement through instructor-led instruction, research-driven activities, active learning, and meaningful interactions with peers and faculty.听At Cairn, the students鈥� education and experience is designed to shape听Christian character, cultivate wisdom, and prepare them to think, live, and serve biblically in an ever-changing world.
All courses, except the research courses, are structured in seven units and delivered in accelerated 7-week terms.
Each unit contains 5鈥�7 modular activities, including:
- Assigned readings and reading reflections
- Instructional videos from Cairn faculty
- Active learning activities
- Weekly application projects
- A component of the ongoing course research project
Faculty also schedule a few optional Zoom sessions throughout the term to connect with students and address questions.
Faculty are actively involved throughout the week鈥攇uiding learning activities, leading asynchronous discussions, grading work, and delivering personalized feedback. Online students also receive priority technical support and have access to valuable resources from the Masland Library and the Writing Lab.
The course transfer depends on where you are transferring from, and what program you are transferring to. If you are coming to Cairn Online from another institution, it is very likely you will have some credits that will transfer. Because there are so many options, we encourage you to talk to an enrollment counselor. If you are transferring out, Cairn is a regionally accredited听school and some credits should transfer with relative ease. Each college sets their own transfer criteria, so be sure to check their policies for specifics.
Cairn is approved to offer financial aid because of its regional accreditation. There are many options available and typically students qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Many students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degree even more affordable. Cairn offers a variety of scholarships and discounts in addition to options for loans and grants. Please refer to this page for details.听
天涯海角社区 delivers an intentionally biblical and Christ-centered education that upholds the authority of Scripture, the importance of truth, and the faithful following of Christ. Faculty and staff teach and serve biblically, personally invest in students, and cultivate an authentic Christian community marked by faithfulness, discipleship, and love. At Cairn, the students鈥� education, experience, and relationships shape Christian character, cultivate wisdom, and prepare them to think, live, and serve biblically in an ever-changing world.
天涯海角社区 Ranks #2 in Glanzer鈥檚 Guide to Christian Colleges and Universities. At 天涯海角社区, we work hard to ensure that everything we do inside and outside the classroom aligns with our commitment to Christian education, clearly articulated in our University mission statement.
All undergraduate programs integrate 30 credits of Bible and theology as part of the core curriculum. Except for those pursuing a BS in Bible, anyone who earns a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Cairn has a听听listed on their transcript.