What is liberal arts?

Liberal arts is an educational approach that emphasizes broad, transferable knowledge and skills across subjects such as the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It values the development of critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities, preparing graduates for success in a variety of careers and industries.

What is liberal arts degree and does UMass Global offer one?

A liberal arts degree typically refers to any course of study centered on arts, humanities, communication, and social sciences, rather than technical or professional fields. While UMass Global does not explicitly offer a degree named "Liberal Arts," several of our flexible degrees provide a robust liberal arts education, equipping students with versatile skills applicable to many fields. Refer to the program pages on this page for more information on available degrees.

What is the value of a liberal arts education?

A liberal arts education builds a foundation of knowledge across multiple disciplines and develops in-demand skills such as communication, collaboration, analysis, and adaptability. Graduates become well-equipped to pursue careers in a variety of sectors, including business, education, media, public service, and more.

What careers can a liberal arts degree lead to?

Graduates with a liberal arts-focused degree find opportunities in education, communications, public relations, management, social services, and other fields that value adaptable thinkers and skilled communicators. The versatility of a liberal arts background helps graduates navigate a rapidly changing job market.

How do UMass Global's program help me finish my degree faster?

UMass Global's degrees in areas like Applied Studies and General Education are designed with flexibility in mind. Students can receive credit for prior learning, select courses most relevant to their goals, and work with advisors to create efficient education plans — often allowing them to complete their degree in less time than traditional programs.

Can I customize my liberal arts studies at UMass Global?

Yes. Programs such as the BA in Applied Studies allow students to choose concentrations (like Applied Communication, Applied Humanities, or Leadership) and select courses that best fit their personal interests and professional objectives, providing a personalized liberal arts experience.

Understanding Students At Risk of Dropping Out

Overview

This course will teach you some early warning indicators of student drop-outs, some potential root causes of those factors, and recommended strategies to help support all the students in your class. Your ability to recognize early warning indicators that a student may be at risk of dropping out and then build strategies to support those students in your classroom is critical for your student's success. You will analyze and learn about this topic through videos, articles, studies, and other resources. You will also design a comprehensive implementation plan for the classroom and an original resource that can be used to support implementation.

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At a Glance

Extended Education

Approximately 15 hours

Access Time: 365 days

1 PDU

Graduate Level Professional Development Credit

$210

No additional materials required

Program Benefits

100% Online

All coursework delivered fully online, so you can balance work, life, and study.

Graduate-Level PD Credits

Earn graduate-level professional development credits to support salary advancement and professional growth. Check with your school or district for approval before enrolling.

Fast, Flexible, and Ready When You Are

Enjoy instant access, self-paced study, and an easy-to-follow, template-based course format.

Course Objectives

Define dropout and those students that are at risk
Analyze early warning signs of students at risk of dropping out
Evaluate strategies to support students and address the root issues of early warning signs
Critique, analyze, and summarize specific articles, resources, and studies related to students at risk of dropping out and potential solutions to support them
Plan and build a Classroom Implementation Plan for immediate classroom use focused on strategies designed to address root issues these students struggle with
Build and describe the use of a resource aligned with the classroom implementation plan that supports a strategy you plan to use in your upcoming lesson

Course Syllabus

View Course Syllabus

View All Professional Development for Educator Courses

Program Partner

This course is offered through University of Massachusetts Global’s School of Extended Education in partnership with Model Teaching.

What are Graduate-level Professional Development Credits?

Graduate-level professional development credits are not part of a degree program but instead are primarily used for professional advancement such as salary increment steps and recertification. Students should seek approval from appropriate district officials before enrolling in these courses.

Understanding Students At Risk of Dropping Out