FORT BENNING, Ga. - Columbus State University will offer a new Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts degree beginning in January.

The degree is one of two undergraduate courses of study at CSU, including the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, available completely online, said Tina Butcher, CSU associate provost for Undergraduate Education. Students may choose to complete some of their coursework in a traditional classroom setting on campus.

"Because the degree is online, it is portable," Butcher said. "Individuals in the military and their family members can remain CSU students even though their geographic location changes. As long as they have Internet access ... they can continue in the program."

Such flexibility is good for service members who may PCS to a new installation, go TDY to a military school or deploy, said Grey Edwards, chief of the Army Continuing Education System Division on post. ACES centers are Armywide, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. A Soldier can continue a program while deployed.

The liberal arts field is also more accessible for many Soldiers, he said, because it features many different courses. Liberal arts include communication, foreign languages, art, sociology, economics, theater and education.

Two classes offered in the 123-credit degree program are "Effective Leadership Skills for the 21st Century" and "Seven Revolutions in Global Change," Butcher said.

"The liberal arts degree gives students a broad, interdisciplinary background. They can look at things through English, history, philosophy - a variety of subject areas," Butcher said.
Students are encouraged to select a minor as part of the liberal arts degree program.

"In addition to the leadership skills they develop in this program, they'll have the ability to specialize in an area that is of interest to them," Butcher said. "The program gives students the best of both worlds: the breadth of a liberal arts curriculum and the opportunity to delve more deeply in a particular field of study through the completion of a minor."

Pursuing an associate's, master's or bachelor's degree at any of the universities in the area is a great opportunity, Edwards said.

"We believe in education and the concept of lifelong learning," he said. "Education allows one to be more marketable. (It) allows them to pursue areas of interest in addition to the training they get for their particular MOS."

Whether a Soldier is looking to advance or change to a different MOS, academic counselors offer guidance, Edwards said. The service is available to service members, retirees and family members. To schedule an appointment, call 706-545-7397 or 706-545-7677. Appointments are available weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

To learn more about admission to the liberal arts program or another field of study at CSU, call 706-507-8800 or visit www.colstate.edu. Registration for the spring semester is open through Tuesday, but new students will have a second opportunity to register in January.