Have you been thinking about finishing your degree, but life got in the way? Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) has designed a degree completion program just for you! The Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Letters offers a flexible, online format that allows students to complete their degree and further their interests or career aspirations while juggling family, work, and other aspects of life.

Why Choose the Arts & Letters Degree Completion Program?

The Arts & Letters degree completion program is designed for individuals seeking a bachelor’s degree that will complement a variety of career pathways, merging different disciplines to critically explore creativity and humanity from multiple perspectives. If your academic background or intellectual interests include visual art, communication studies, design, world languages, history, music, philosophy, theater, and/or dance, then consider pursuing this unique online degree.  

The program’s benefits include: 

• Flexible online format designed for working adults and nontraditional students
• Intellectually stimulating curriculum relevant to current social ideas
• The degree offers a ladder to career development and promotion  
• Opportunity to finish your degree in as few as two semesters!  

The Arts & Letters major contains 36 units, including the four core courses (12 units offered online) and additional major requirements (24 units). Core courses are cohort-based for incoming students and are offered in pairings of two courses per semester.

Students work closely with program advisors to ensure satisfactory completion of all university-wide general education and graduation requirements. At least 120 units are required for graduation, with 30 units in residence at Sacramento State.

Who is Eligible for CCE’s Arts & Letters Program?

This program is designed for adults who want to return to school and graduate, specifically: Former university students (from Sacramento State or other four-year universities) who left with at least 70 units completed, including all lower-division general education requirements, or individuals who have not been enrolled in a university for over a year.

This program is not open to current Sacramento State students.

An ethnomusicologist, hip-hop scholar, and educator, Dr. Sarah Lappas brings a unique perspective to the program. Her research explores gender, race, power, and place in hip-hop music and its global influences. Dr. Lappas has conducted fieldwork in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and New Orleans. She teaches courses such as MUSC 118D (Hip Hop in Urban America) and ALS 101 (Texts Over Time). Her innovative work has been supported by prestigious organizations, including the California Arts Council and the Compton Foundation.

Dr. Lappas reflects on her experience with the program: “The students in the A&L Degree Completion program are truly inspiring. Many have been away from higher education for years, and it’s exciting to watch them grow in confidence and realize they absolutely belong here. I’m proud to be part of a program that makes degree completion accessible for so many amazing students.”

As Associate Dean for Student and Personnel Success, Dr. Wilson Ramey has championed numerous student success initiatives in the College of Arts & Letter, including those supporting CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 with the development of the college’s student success center and other programs. A dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she led initial strategies for implementing the university’s “Antiracism & Inclusive Campus Plan” while serving as the Interim Vice President for Inclusive Excellence. She also served on Sacramento’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission.

Dr. Wilson Ramey emphasizes the program’s flexibility: “This program was created for people who have completed significant academic work but need to graduate. It’s geared around core courses that can be approached from any disciplinary perspective. If you’re seeking knowledge in an academic setting and need a program that fits your life, this is the one for you.”

Ready to Complete Your Degree?

Sacramento State’s Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Letters program offers an accessible and efficient pathway to achieve your academic goals. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or career advancement, this program can help you realize your potential and secure your future.

For more information and to start your journey, visit Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education website today.