Accessible, affordable degree from leading U.S. university can be completed for $22,400*
By Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera
Today, I am pleased to announce the first liberal studies degree on Coursera from Georgetown University, one of the best U.S. universities and our newest partner.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is a bachelor’s completion program that offers an affordable, flexible way for adult learners to finish their degree.
In the U.S. alone, more than 39 million students leave college without a degree. Black, Latino, and Native American students are overrepresented in this population.
SCS’s program is designed to help students of all backgrounds complete their degrees and unlock their earning potential. The degree’s most recent on-campus cohort is composed of 62% students of color and 40% military-connected learners. SCS is introducing this fully online degree to scale this program to learners worldwide.
Because of SCS’s commitment to accessibility and college completion, the SCS bachelor’s program does not require any application fee or deposit. Students can transfer up to 64 college credits, including military training, to their 120-credit degree. Each credit hour is offered at $400, which is 22% more affordable than the average online credit hour from privately-ranked colleges.
“By partnering with Coursera, Georgetown will be better able to serve a critically overlooked population of learners that fall outside the traditional model of 18- to 22-year-old, residential undergraduate students,” says Kelly Otter, Ph.D., dean of the School of Continuing Studies. “We must meet this sizable and growing population where they are by providing access and affordability—on top of the world-class, values-based education that Georgetown already offers. Whether they are career changers, military-connected individuals, or those interested in later advanced degrees, this program empowers more students to finish their bachelor’s degree, but also transform their lives.”
The program combines the best aspects of online learning, such as asynchronous courses taught by renowned Georgetown faculty, with high-touch support services crucial to student success, including academic advising. Students learn skills in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking in core liberal studies courses and can then choose a job-relevant concentration, including business, communications, and international relations.
Nearly all, nine out of 10, employers view the skills taught in liberal studies programs to be important for success in the workforce. Graduates of the on-campus program significantly advance job levels, with 43% progressing to an executive or director level position. Alumni have secured positions at leading institutions in nearly every field, including the World Bank, American Express, the National League for Nursing, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Elaina Cohen, an alumna of the program and immigrant from Jamaica who founded two companies after graduating, said, “Georgetown completely transformed my worldview and my place in it. Its innovative program equipped me with essential skills crucial in today’s business and professional domain.” Said Bilani, who graduated from the program in 2020, said he gained a year of professional growth during each academic year. He went on to earn an M.A. at Georgetown, an M.Ed. at Harvard, and a coveted U.S. State Department fellowship.
We are honored to partner with Georgetown to empower students to complete their education. Earning a high-quality degree is a pivotal milestone that helps graduates advance their careers, better their lives, and transform their communities.
Applications will open in early December 2022, with classes beginning in summer 2023. To learn more, visit https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ba-liberal-studies-georgetown.
*Calculated using 64 transferred credits, priced at $400. (Tuition is subject to change)