Marshall University

What you'll study

The B.A. curriculum emphasises a strong foundation in writing, research and critical thinking alongside in-depth study in a chosen major within the humanities or social sciences. Core study typically includes courses in composition and communication, introductory and advanced seminars in the major, quantitative or research-methods training where appropriate, and foreign-language or cultural studies.

• Core and general education: academic writing, reasoning/critical thinking, and a selection of humanities, social science and natural science courses.
• Major coursework: discipline-specific modules such as literature, history, philosophy, sociology, political science, psychology, languages or other arts and humanities subjects; upper-level seminars and capstone projects are common.
• Research and methods: research methods or statistics relevant to the major, designed to develop analytical and empirical skills.
• Experiential learning: internship placements, community-engaged projects, study abroad or undergraduate research tailored to students' career and academic goals.
• Electives and minors: opportunities to combine the major with minors, certificates or elective sequences in areas such as communication, business foundations, digital literacy or secondary education preparation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised high school diploma or equivalent. Typical admissions considerations include academic transcript, strength of secondary-school coursework (including any advanced or college-preparatory classes), and personal statement. Marshall University also considers extracurricular involvement, letters of recommendation and any relevant portfolios or audition materials for arts-based majors.

Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended; credit is awarded according to Marshall's transfer policy and program-specific residency requirements. Standardised test submission policies may vary, so applicants should check the university's admissions guidance for current practice.

Career prospects

A B.A. from Marshall prepares graduates for a wide range of roles where communication, problem-solving and cultural literacy are valued. Graduates commonly move into fields such as:

• Education and training (including further study or teacher preparation programmes)
• Public service, non-profit and community organisations
• Communications, media, publishing and marketing
• Human resources, administrative and management support roles
• Business roles that value critical thinking and interpersonal skills, or progression to professional programmes (law, public administration, social work)

Many students also continue into graduate study—master’s programmes in the arts and sciences, professional degrees, or specialised certification—using the B.A. as preparation for advanced academic or professional pathways.

Why study at Marshall University

Marshall University offers a student-centred liberal arts education with small class sizes and accessible faculty who emphasise undergraduate teaching and mentorship. The university promotes experiential learning through internships and partnerships across the Huntington region, enabling students to gain workplace experience alongside their studies.

• Faculty access: opportunities for close supervision, undergraduate research and personalised advising.
• Experiential opportunities: internships, community projects and study-abroad options that connect classroom learning to real-world practice.
• Support services: academic advising, career services and writing centres designed to support student retention and career readiness.
• Flexible pathways: the B.A. structure allows interdisciplinary study and pairing of majors with minors or certificates to match personal and career objectives.