The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts emphasizes the Catholic intellectual tradition and offers a fully online program designed for catechists, parents, aspiring Catholic school teachers, those seeking careers in the Catholic Church, or anyone pursuing higher education in the liberal arts. Credits earned can be applied toward a BA in Theology or degrees at partner institutions, including Mount Saint Mary’s University, Belmont Abbey College, and others, enabling students to complete a bachelor’s degree in various fields at a significantly reduced cost. This two-year program introduces students to the Western intellectual tradition through a rigorous and integrated curriculum that inspires a love of learning and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Graduates will appreciate the unity of truth across the sciences and humanities, understand the relationship between faith and reason, demonstrate knowledge of the Old and New Testaments through Catholic teaching, and engage with the great sources of the Western tradition, applying their insights to today’s world.
Mathematics/Computer Science | Choose One (3 Credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
MATH 105 | General Mathematics for Liberal Studies | 3 credit hours |
COSCI 101 | Computer Essentials | 3 credit hours |
Natural Sciences | Choose One (3 Credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
BIO 101 | General Biology | 3 credit hours |
BIO 150 | Nutrition | 3 credit hours |
Literature and Composition | Choose Two (6 Credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
ENG 105 | Introduction to Composition | 3 credit hours |
ENG 111 | Introduction to Literature | 3 credit hours |
ENG 310 | Literary Apologetics for Theology | 3 credit hours |
Foreign Languages | Choose Two | Must be the Same Language (6 credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
GREEK 101 | Biblical Greek I | 3 credit hours |
GREEK 201 | Biblical Greek II | 3 credit hours |
GREEK 301 | Advanced Biblical Greek | 3 credit hours |
LATIN 101 | Latin I | 3 credit hours |
LATIN 201 | Latin II | 3 credit hours |
SPAN 101 | Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture for Ministry | 3 credit hours |
SPAN 201 | Conversational Spanish for Ministry II | 3 credit hours |
Humanities/Social Sciences | Choose Four (12 Credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
LIB 200 | Principles of Liberal Learning | 3 credit hours |
SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 credit hours |
ECON 101 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 credit hours |
ANTH 101 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 credit hours |
GEO 101 | World Geography | 3 credit hours |
CHIST 214 | Church History I: Early Christians to Middle Ages | 3 credit hours |
CHIST 224 | Church History II: Renaissance to Modern Church | 3 credit hours |
CHIST 244 | History of the Catholic Church in America | 3 credit hours |
HIST 201 | Ancient Civilization | 3 credit hours |
HIST 211 | Christian Civilization | 3 credit hours |
HIST 221 | A Global Civilization | 3 credit hours |
HUM 228 | Introduction to Comparative Religions: Judaism and Islam | 3 credit hours |
HUM 260 | Theology of Sacred Architecture | 3 credit hours |
Philosophy | Choose Three (9 credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
PHIL 205 | Introduction to Philosophy with Plato and Aristotle | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 235 | Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Person | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 260/THEO 280 | Catholic Bioethics | 3 credit hours |
PHIL 311 | Ethics | 3 credit hours |
Theology/Scripture | Choose Three (9 credits)
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SCRPT 103 | Survey of the Old Testament | 3 credit hours |
SCRPT 106 | Survey of the New Testament | 3 credit hours |
THEO 103 | The Moral Life: Living the Virtues | 3 credit hours |
THEO 204 | Foundations of Catholicism | 3 credit hours |
THEO 213 | God, Man and the Universe | 3 credit hours |
General Electives (12 credits)
The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts provides students with a strong academic foundation, rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, that prepares them for continued higher education and meaningful service in the world. Through coursework rooted in the classical arts, students develop essential skills in communication, analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary learning. The program encourages students to engage deeply with history, philosophy, theology, literature, and the social sciences while learning how faith and reason work together in the pursuit of truth.
Because the degree is fully online, students can balance coursework alongside professional responsibilities, ministry involvement, or family life. The curriculum is designed to cultivate lifelong learners who can thoughtfully engage modern cultural challenges while remaining grounded in timeless principles and Catholic values. Students also gain a broad educational background that can smoothly transfer into bachelor’s degree programs in liberal arts, theology, education, communications, business, and related fields.
Career Paths with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
An AA in Liberal Arts can serve as both a career-launching credential and a stepping stone toward advanced education. Graduates may pursue entry-level roles in areas such as:
Catholic International University Provides:
Students strengthen skills in writing, communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, research, and problem-solving. These transferable skills are valuable across many industries and future academic pathways.
Yes. The program establishes a strong academic foundation that can support future undergraduate and graduate studies in theology, philosophy, education, law, communications, and related disciplines.
Absolutely. The flexible online structure is designed to support working professionals, parents, ministry leaders, and students balancing multiple responsibilities.
Courses encourage students to examine important questions about truth, morality, culture, and human dignity through the lens of Catholic teaching while engaging classical and modern thinkers.
