The Newark College of Arts and Sciences seeks to foster the broad intellectual and personal development of its students. The spirit of this philosophy is reflected in the liberal arts curriculum, which requires that all candidates for the baccalaureate degree complete courses in a variety of fields of learning. In addition, each student must select a field of knowledge for intensive study in order to gain some mastery of a particular discipline. This combination of broad-ranging inquiry and concentrated investigation of a specific area of learning prepares the student for effective and intelligent participation in the modern world.

The college offers courses in liberal arts and sciences leading to either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science degree. The curricula of the college are as follows: liberal arts and sciences leading to the degree of bachelor of arts; combined liberal arts and business administration (graduate) leading to the degrees of bachelor of arts and master of business administration; combined liberal arts and criminal justice (graduate) leading to the degrees of bachelor of arts and master of arts; combined liberal arts and engineering leading to the degrees of bachelor of arts and bachelor of science; and clinical laboratory sciences leading to the degree of bachelor of science, conferred jointly by Rutgers and the School of Health Related Professions of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark.

To be certified for graduation, candidates for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree must satisfy all college requirements. Students are subject to the curriculum requirements in effect when they entered Newark College of Arts and Sciences or, in the case of absence for two or more terms, those requirements in effect when they return.