Liberal Arts & Business Programs

Today’s complex, fast-moving world needs critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and compassionate, principled leaders.

Lesley University’s liberal arts and business programs are designed to a provide strong, subject-specific foundation – particularly if you are pursuing a teaching degree – equipping you with the specialized knowledge you need to succeed. In addition to our career-focused curriculum, we offer opportunities to pursue internships across a wide range of different industries and interests, and resources and support for every stage of their careers.

Whether you aspire to break new ground as a scientist, manager, or entrepreneur, pursue a subject matter area and your teaching degree or seek a broader skill set as you pursue a career in education, mental health, or art and design, a Lesley education prepares you to excel in today’s dynamic economy and workforce.

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A Curriculum that Builds Both Depth and Flexibility

Lesley’s Liberal Arts & Business programs are designed to build strong intellectual foundations while preparing students for diverse, real-world careers. We harness the power of storytelling to explore identities, communities, and the broader world, equipping you to excel in education, mental health, or art and design as well as fields like communications, publishing, sciences, and beyond.

Our business programs are tailored for professionals in education, mental health, and the arts, combining fundamental business skills with flexible specializations in entrepreneurship, management, and marketing—focused on industries that matter to you. The curriculum includes innovative elements like history-based role-playing, active clubs connecting students and alumni, and a distinctive liberal studies component that fosters engagement and practical skills.

All these programs are anchored in Lesley’s unique CommonLynx general education curriculum, designed to develop nine vital core skills. It allows you to select courses across the university that align with your interests and aspirations, ensuring a personalized and comprehensive educational experience.

Beyond their core focus, these programs offer a strong foundation for students pursuing careers in other fields. The versatile skills you gain—such as communication, critical thinking, finance, and management—can be applied across a wide range of industries, including education, mental health and well-being, art, and design.

Undergraduate Programs

We offer bachelor’s degrees in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, and business, enable students to pursue double majors, develop subject matter expertise in a career in education, enhance studies in Lesley’s other core academic areas, and tailor an education to specific interests, career goals, and the ever-evolving needs of the market.

Explore Undergraduate Programs

Master’s Programs

Whether you are looking to develop your managerial and organizational skills or gain knowledge on how to start and run a business, Lesley’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program prepares students to become socially conscious organizational leaders. Our accelerated option allows students to earn their degree in just one year. We also provide a 12-credit (4-course) Graduate Certificate in Business Administration which can be completed alongside your undergraduate students, pursued independently to gain the basics of business careers in education, mental health, the airs, or another field, or used as a steppingstone to accelerate your full MBA program.

Explore Master’s Programs

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Workforce-Ready from Day One

Lesley students apply their skills in real-world settings through internships driven by our Scholar Partner Program. You might choose an internship directly connected to your major, or pursue one that’s in a different discipline or focus area. This flexibility is unique, and it gives you the freedom to explore, broaden your skills, and find interdisciplinary connections.

You’ll graduate with the diverse knowledge, experience, and perspective you need to thrive in a range of different industries.

Explore our Scholar Partner Program, which guarantees internships upon acceptance as well as other types of internships and field placements that uniquely prepare Lesley students for career success.

See Where Lesley Students Work through our Scholar Partner Program

ARTrelief
Buildwave
Cadbury Commons
Cambridge Women’s Center
Child & Family Services
Girls LEAP

JVS
Lilian Prep Early Education Academy
Saturday AM
Victory Programs
Vinfen
Yachad New England

Our students also participate in other types of internships and field placements at organizations including Boston Athletics, Cambridge Basketball Lab, Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation and more.

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A Lifetime of Career Support

A Lesley degree opens doors not just at graduation, but throughout your career. Our alumni network spans industries, connecting graduates to:

Ongoing professional mentorship and networking opportunities
A caring community that supports business and creative professionals alike
Continuing education courses, seminars, and timely, relevant microlearnings.
Priority job matching and curated career fairs

Learn more about how we support professionals working in the field through every stage of their careers.

Take the next step

Ready to begin your journey with Lesley? Share some basic information by filling out one of the forms below so that we can reach out to you with more information about our programs. Or, email admissions@lesley.edu to connect with a member of our admissions team.

Undergraduate Inquiry Form | Graduate Inquiry Form | Threshold Inquiry Form