Reconnect Program
B.A. in Liberal Arts Online Degree Completion

Academic Experience

About Liberal Arts

Through an innovative, online program of interactive and project-based learning, students gain a depth of knowledge and make connections across disciplines. They learn to draw on rich and varied liberal arts to address current challenges in careers, local communities, and the world. Graduates leave with leadership skills fundamental to successful, resilient careers. The major also prepares students for graduate study in a range of fields.

When asked what skills they need more of, in several different surveys, businesses have specified communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity. In particular, writing skills are highly marketable in many different jobs. In fact, a Liberal Arts degree is helpful because students learn to connect the knowledge and skills from different disciplines in ways that give them a leg-up on those who approach problems from one disciplinary direction.

In short, businesses want students with Liberal Arts skills: communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

This program includes topical coursework relevant for careers in the Central Valley including practical communications and critical thinking courses, writing, public, and business speaking, logic and problem-solving.  We incorporate a regional focus relevant to local employers and include in the curriculum global connections.

It is not uncommon for students to be working in careers where a 4-year college degree in any field is necessary for them to advance, particularly into management-level positions. Without a degree they are stuck, but they do not have the luxury of quitting their jobs to return to a traditional degree program. Many were planning to stay with their current employers—but are likely to garner better positions and higher salaries with the degree.

Program Pedagogy

The B.A. in Liberal Arts Online Degree Completion Program is envisioned as a uniquely place-based online program that equips students to effectively and ethically engage challenges in their careers and local communities to effect positive, creative outcomes both regionally and internationally.

Coursework supports an interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to issues of particular significance to residents of the Central Valley region. Critical thinking, communication, creativity, and problem-solving based courses place regional questions in a global context and bridge liberal arts learning with career development and civic engagement.

Core courses “bookend” and focus on the student learning experience. An introductory, writing-intensive course ensures students are prepared to succeed in online and Liberal Arts learning environments. A culminating seminar provides an opportunity for students to integrate their learning in advanced scholarly, creative, or professional projects.

Through exposure to and focused study within an array of disciplines, liberal arts graduates develop the knowledge and skill base to engage in effective problem-solving in a variety of occupational and civic contexts. Degree objectives place emphasis on the cultivation of specific knowledge and skillsets. Students with a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts earned through this Online Degree Completion Program from Fresno State will:

1. Think Critically—Students evaluate and synthesize a wide variety of information sources, perspectives, and methods to creatively address complex human problems.
2. Communicate Effectively—Students demonstrate advanced skills in written, oral, and digital forms of communication.
3. Interpret and Appreciate Creativity—Students interpret creative works of art and literature from a diversity of cultures and explore the significance of aesthetic dimensions of human experience.
4. Value Diversity—Students demonstrate nuanced cross-cultural awareness, communication, and collaboration skills, and appreciate the value of diversity in communities and workplaces.
5. Lead Ethically—Students apply a sophisticated understanding of professional ethics, social responsibility, and civic leadership.

Our Online Philosophy

The Reconnect Program facilitates access to undergraduate degree completion for students with a previous history of Fresno State academic success, but have “stopped out” of the university for at least three years. Research in online learning suggests that students who have already been successful in face-to-face courses are far more likely to be successful in online courses – they are proven, college learners! Additionally, adult learners – most returning students – experience more success in online learning than traditional-age students. This program's fully online delivery mode provides affordable, public university access for former Fresno State students who just aren't able to complete a degree through a traditional state-supported face-to-face program.

Our courses are taught by experienced, long-term university instructors who are experts in their fields – the same instructors who teach in Fresno State traditional programs. Every instructor is online-certified, with training and experience in online education. The courses are based in active learning strategies – discussion, projects, problem-based learning, and group learning. Instructors use a variety of online tools to make courses engaging: video, audio, discussion forums, interactive media software.

Program Fees

There are no required student fees to maintain enrollment in this program, other than the per-unit fee. Textbooks/materials may be required in some classes.

Financial Aid

For information on how to apply for Federal Financial Aid, visit: the Fresno State Financial Aid website. 

To make sure that Fresno State receives your FAFSA, make sure you add our school code: 001147

While you can complete the FAFSA throughout the academic year, priority deadline is March 2nd, before the beginning of fall semester. The FAFSA is based on income and federal tax information from two years prior. You’ll need other personal and income information as well.

Requirements for Admission

Students who meet the following academic qualifications will be admitted to this program:

• have not been enrolled at Fresno State for a minimum of 3 successive years prior to enrollment in the program and have not earned a baccalaureate degree
• have earned a minimum of 70 units overall, with a minimum of 12 units completed in the previous residency at Fresno State
• stopped out in good academic standing at Fresno State (minimum 2.0 overall campus GPA and major GPA), and have satisfied all lower-division General Education requirements.
• have academic roadmap generated by the College of Arts and Humanities advisors (see below)

Roadmap

Prior to admission to the program, all students must have an academic road map generated by the College of Arts and Humanities Advising and Support Center. To schedule an appointment, call 559.278.4597.

Once you have your academic road map, you will be contacted by the Division of Continuing Education with instructions on how to apply to the University.

Road map commonalties:

• Students take 1-2 courses/8-week term; 1-3 weeks between terms
• All students must take ENGL 160W their first 8-week session (required regardless of whether they already completed W requirement)
• All students take at least one course from each of the 3 course groups: 1) Foundations, 2) Regional Focus, 3) National and Global Contexts
• All students take capstone class AH 116 their final 8-week session
• All students take at least 25 units in major program
• All students must complete the same GE requirements as any undergraduate (provision is made in program courses to offer at least one course in each upper division GE area)
• If students previously successfully completed any of the major coursework, those units count towards their 25 units degree coursework

Program Major Graduation Requirements

• All GE requirements satisfactorily completed
• 2 required courses: ENGL 160W; AH 116
• At least one course from each of the 3-course groups: 1) Foundations, 2) Regional Focus, 3) National and Global Contexts
• 25 units in the major program of Liberal Arts
• 120 units
• Major GPA of 2.0

Yes! I want to Apply

If you have a question about the program or want to apply, send an email with your full name and previous student number, if known, to reconnect@mail.fresnostate.edu OR call 559.278.0486.

What if I want to complete my original major?

Students interested in finishing their degree in a traditional face-to-face program, such as the one they originally declared when previously enrolled, are encouraged to contact the University Advising Center for assistance with readmission. Students wishing to return to Fresno State and complete their original major should also contact their College/School Advising Center and discuss their particular degree deficiencies.