DePaul Liberal Arts and Sciences Beyond a Bachelor's Degree

Earning a bachelor's degree is a milestone, but for many professionals in Chicago and across the country, it is only the beginning of a longer academic and career journey. DePaul University, one of the nation's largest Catholic universities, has built a reputation for flexible, values-driven education that serves adult learners, career changers, and working professionals who want to go beyond the undergraduate level. The category known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other Beyond bachelor's degree, delivered in person at DePaul University, captures a distinctive slice of graduate study: interdisciplinary, broad-based, and grounded in critical thinking rather than narrow technical training.

This article explains what that category means, how DePaul structures advanced study in the liberal arts and humanities, who benefits most from these programs, and how to evaluate whether this path fits your career goals. It also covers admissions expectations, cost considerations, and the kinds of outcomes graduates report. If you are weighing a specialized master's degree against a more flexible, interdisciplinary option, the information below will help you make a confident decision.

What Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other Beyond bachelor's degree In-person at DePaul University Actually Means

The phrase sounds bureaucratic, but it describes a real and growing category in higher education. In national data systems such as the Classification of Instructional Programs, there is a catch-all grouping for advanced study in liberal arts, general studies, and humanities that does not fit neatly into a single traditional discipline. Rather than majoring strictly in history or strictly in philosophy, students in this space often design an interdisciplinary course of study that draws from multiple departments. At DePaul University, this category intersects with several established graduate offerings. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences houses master's programs in fields such as English, history, philosophy, writing, and interdisciplinary studies, while other colleges offer related graduate credentials in areas like liberal studies and public service. The common thread is that these programs go beyond the bachelor's degree, are taught in person on DePaul's Chicago campuses, and emphasize analysis, communication, research, and ethical reasoning rather than a single vocational skill. It helps to understand the three overlapping pieces of the label. Liberal arts refers to the tradition of broad education in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. General studies refers to flexible, student-designed programs that allow adults to combine prior credits and new coursework into a coherent degree. Humanities refers to disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, languages, and cultural studies. The word Other simply acknowledges that some advanced programs blend these areas in ways that do not fit a single departmental label. Put together, the category describes graduate-level study that is intentionally broad, interdisciplinary, and human-centered.

Why DePaul University Stands Out for In-Person Graduate Study

DePaul was founded in 1898 and today enrolls tens of thousands of students across multiple Chicago-area campuses, including the Lincoln Park campus and the Loop campus in the heart of the city's business district. Its mission emphasizes access, inclusion, and service, and that mission shapes how it treats adult and returning students. Small class sizes, evening and weekend course options, and faculty who bring real-world experience into the classroom are hallmarks of the DePaul experience.For students in liberal arts, general studies, and humanities fields beyond the bachelor's degree, the in-person format matters more than it might first appear. Seminar-style discussion, close reading of primary texts, and sustained face-to-face debate with classmates and professors are difficult to replicate in a fully online environment. DePaul's Chicago location also provides access to archives, museums, cultural institutions, and professional networks that enrich graduate study in the humanities.

Another distinguishing feature is DePaul's commitment to applied learning. Graduate students in these fields often complete internships, community-based projects, teaching assistantships, or research collaborations with faculty. That practical dimension helps translate abstract skills such as argumentation and interpretation into concrete professional experience. For anyone who wants to pursue advanced study in the liberal arts while building a portfolio of real work, DePaul offers a strong combination of academic rigor and urban opportunity.

Program Formats and Degree Options Beyond the Bachelor's

Students entering this category at DePaul typically choose among master's degrees, graduate certificates, and in some cases doctoral study, depending on the discipline. The most common entry point is a Master of Arts in a humanities or social science field, or a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies for those who want maximum flexibility. Graduate certificates offer a shorter, focused option for professionals who want to deepen their knowledge without committing to a full degree.

Here are the main formats you will encounter:

Master of Arts programs in disciplines such as English, history, philosophy, or writing, usually requiring 30 to 48 credit hours.
Interdisciplinary master's degrees that allow students to combine coursework from two or more departments around a self-defined theme.
Graduate certificates that can often be completed in one year or less and may stack toward a full master's degree.
Doctoral programs in selected humanities fields, designed for students who intend to teach or conduct original research.

Most of these programs are delivered in person, with classes held on weekday evenings or weekends to accommodate working students. Some courses may include hybrid components, but the core experience remains face-to-face. Credit requirements vary, so prospective students should verify details with each department, since program lengths, prerequisites, and capstone expectations differ significantly across fields.

Admissions Expectations for Advanced Liberal Arts Study

Admission to graduate study in the liberal arts and humanities is holistic rather than formulaic. DePaul looks at your undergraduate record, but it also weighs your personal statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation, and professional experience. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required, and some programs expect a minimum undergraduate GPA, often around 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though exceptions are common for applicants with strong professional backgrounds.

A well-crafted application usually includes four key elements. First, a statement of purpose that explains why you want to pursue advanced study and how it connects to your goals. Second, a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to construct an argument and engage with sources. Third, two or three letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors who can speak to your readiness. Fourth, official transcripts from every institution you have attended. Some programs also require the GRE, though many have waived it in recent years.What matters most in this category is fit and motivation. Faculty readers want to see that you understand the discipline, that you can write clearly, and that you have a plausible reason for pursuing graduate study at this stage of your life. Career changers and returning adults are common in DePaul's graduate classrooms, and admissions committees generally value the perspective they bring.

Careers and Outcomes: What Graduates Do With These Degrees

One of the most persistent myths about liberal arts and humanities education is that it leads nowhere professionally. The evidence tells a different story. Graduates with advanced training in these fields pursue careers in education, publishing, communications, public policy, nonprofit leadership, law, museum and archival work, user experience research, and management. The skills they develop, including research, writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural understanding, are broadly transferable.

For readers exploring earning potential across humanities fields, resources such as this guide to high paying careers for humanities majors can provide useful salary context. In general, advanced degrees open doors to roles that require independent judgment and clear communication, and many graduates find that their liberal arts training gives them an advantage in fields that value synthesis and persuasion.

Common career paths for graduates of these programs include:

Teaching at the community college or secondary level, often with additional licensure or certification.
Writing, editing, and content strategy roles in publishing, media, or corporate communications.
Public policy, advocacy, and nonprofit program management positions.
Museum, library, and archival careers that require subject expertise and research skills.
Doctoral study and academic research for those who want to pursue scholarship or university teaching.

Outcomes vary by field, location, and individual effort, and no program can guarantee a specific job or salary. What these degrees reliably provide is a foundation of adaptable skills that hold value across economic cycles. For adult learners comparing options, the key question is not whether the degree is practical, but whether the specific program, faculty, and network align with the career you want to build.

Cost, Financial Aid, and Return on Investment

Graduate tuition at DePaul reflects its standing as a private university, and costs vary by college and program. Prospective students should consult current tuition schedules, because rates change annually and differ between part-time and full-time enrollment. Beyond tuition, budget for fees, books, transportation, and possible technology costs. Living expenses in Chicago are a real consideration for anyone relocating for study.

Financial aid for graduate students typically comes in the form of federal loans, institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, and employer tuition benefits. Assistantships in particular can offset a significant portion of tuition while providing teaching or research experience that strengthens your resume. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, so it is worth asking your human resources department whether your goals qualify.

To evaluate return on investment, consider three factors: the total cost of the program, the salary range you can realistically expect in your target role, and the time required to complete the degree. A part-time master's completed over two to three years while you continue working often delivers a better financial outcome than leaving the workforce entirely. For a broader look at accredited online and hybrid degree options that can complement in-person study, resources like DegreesOnline.Education can help you compare formats and costs before you commit.

Is This Path Right for You?

This category tends to attract a particular kind of student: someone who is intellectually curious, comfortable with ambiguity, and interested in questions that do not have simple answers. If you thrive in seminar discussions, enjoy research and writing, and want a degree that develops your thinking rather than just your technical skills, an advanced liberal arts program at DePaul may be an excellent fit.

It may be less suitable if your goal is a narrowly technical credential with a direct pipeline to a specific job title. In that case, a professional master's degree in business, computer science, or a health field might serve you better. The honest answer is that fit depends on your goals, your finances, and your willingness to invest two or more years in sustained intellectual work.

Before applying, take these practical steps:

Attend an information session or contact the department directly to discuss your interests.
Speak with current students and alumni about their experience and outcomes.
Review the curriculum and confirm that the courses match your goals.
Calculate total cost and explore assistantships, scholarships, and employer benefits.
Confirm accreditation and verify that the program fits any licensing or career requirements you face.

Taking these steps before you apply will save time, money, and frustration. It also signals to admissions committees that you are serious and prepared.

A Final Word on Going Beyond the Bachelor's

Advanced study in liberal arts, general studies, and humanities at DePaul University offers a rare combination: intellectual depth, flexible interdisciplinary design, and the energy of a major urban campus. For working adults and career changers who want more than a credential, these programs provide a structured way to think more clearly, write more persuasively, and engage more confidently with complex problems. The decision to pursue graduate study is significant, and it deserves careful research. If you approach it with clear goals and realistic expectations, the investment can pay dividends for decades.