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Academic Programs

The Bard Global Degree creates and sustains academic spaces where students and faculty engage in ambitious college coursework, challenge one another intellectually, and build supportive community.

Across five partner campuses and programs, the Global Degree extends the breadth and depth of the Bard College liberal arts curriculum. Students participate in a common core curriculum while also exploring individual academic interests. The synchronous online program empowers students to learn from global perspectives and grow into thoughtful and engaged citizens and community leaders, demonstrating that students can succeed anywhere and that a rigorous liberal arts and sciences education is possible everywhere.

Degree Programs

The Bard Global Degree is a seminar-based, academically rigorous degree program with courses of study drawn from across the Bard undergraduate curriculum. Classes are held synchronously online, with a strong emphasis on student-centered, interactive learning.

Associate in Arts (AA)

Global Degree students pursuing an associate in arts (AA) degree in liberal arts and sciences move through Bard’s foundational course sequence, including Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science. To complete the degree, students take courses spanning all four academic divisions of the college and choose electives according to their interests. Satisfaction of these requirements will result in an accredited Bard AA degree, and qualified students can continue toward a Bachelor’s degree in the Bard Global Degree program or, where possible, transfer into a BA program at one of Bard’s partner institutions.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students enrolled in the bachelor of arts (BA) program select and pursue a major concentration of study and have access to the full selection of Global Degree courses offered by faculty across the Bard international network. Students choose specific majors, participate in advanced seminars, and complete a Senior Project. In addition to disciplinary requirements for their major, students take additional elective courses for a total of 124 credits. Satisfaction of these requirements will result in an accredited Bard BA degree, with options for fields of study available across the undergraduate disciplines.

Certificate Programs

In addition to AA and BA degrees, students can earn an Academic Certificate, which is a concentration of cross-disciplinary study on a globally relevant theme. Current certificates include Civic Engagement and Human Rights. New certificates will be available in 2026, including Global Humanities, Global Studies, and Sustainability and Climate Solutions.

Learn More About Academic Certificates →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bard Global Degree a recognized, accredited degree?

Yes. The Bard Global Degree is an initiative of Bard College, a leading college of the liberal arts and sciences with a global reach and a long tradition of academic excellence. Bard is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Who is eligible to enroll in the Bard Global Degree?
Qualified students from Bard’s Global Degree partner programs are eligible to enroll. Admission is granted by Bard College in consultation with the partner programs’ faculty and staff.
What credentials are offered through the Bard Global Degree?

The Bard Global Degree offers the Bard associate in arts (AA) and bachelor of arts (BA) degrees, alongside the following academic certificates: Civic Engagement and Human Rights. New certificates in Global Humanities, Global Studies, and Sustainability and Climate Solutions will be available in 2026.
Can credits earned outside of Bard be transferred toward completion of the Bard Global Degree?

Bard Global Degree students can transfer up to 12 credits towards the Bard AA and up to 24 credits towards the Bard BA. Courses must be relevant to the Bard curriculum with a grade of C (or its equivalent) or higher. Transcripts should be submitted to the Bard Global Degree coordinator at their home program or campus for review and approval. Transfer credits may not be applied toward core course requirements (Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, distribution requirements).