Distance learning offers students the opportunity to work from home toward a degree. There are programs that offer associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and non-degree certificates. Liberal arts is a popular area of study for distance learning. Distance learning is a good option for parents, people who work full-time and anyone who does not live near a college or university that offers the degree they want. Most work takes place on the computer, and students have the opportunity, often, to connect with each other through forum discussions.
Many accredited private schools offer degrees in liberal arts that allow students to take classes online. These schools do not have a residential option and exclusively accommodate students who want to learn from home around their work or family schedules. Many of these schools offer financial aid and allow students to use regular federal grants and student loans to pay your tuition. Some offer accelerated programs that allow you to get your degree more quickly. Kaplan University offers a bachelor's degree in liberal studies. DeVry University's College of Liberal Arts offers tracks in justice administration and liberal studies.
Some schools, including state colleges and universities, offer programs that allow students to obtain their degrees in liberal arts partially or entirely online. If you live near a school that offers this option, you have the benefit of being able to access the campus as well as work from home. Students taking distance learning courses have library privileges, access to the resources of the campus and the option to take an in-person course if they want to. Colorado State University offers a fully online bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Washington State University offers a liberal arts bachelor's degree in humanities.
Low-residency programs offer students the ability to work from home on their liberal arts degrees combined with the experience of an intensive 10-day to two-week live-in residency once per semester. This is a popular choice for people working toward a Master's degree in liberal arts. The residency allows students to connect with each other and have one-on-one time with their instructors or advisers but still complete the bulk of their work at home. Goddard College, based in Vermont, offers an individualized low-residency liberal arts program. The Art Institute of Boston offers a low-residency liberal arts Master's degree with a focus on fine arts.