BA Major in Liberal Arts & Sciences
B.A., Major in Liberal Arts and Sciences
The major requires students to take three disciplinary concentrations in the form of minors. The three disciplinary concentrations offer students curricular flexibility and an opportunity to explore a broad background emphasizing interdisciplinary thought and cross disciplinary action. In the case of an academic department in which a minor does not exist, a selection of 18 credit hours of coursework from that academic department can be substituted for a minor, in consultation with the associated Department Head or Chair. Students majoring in liberal arts and sciences will also complete a senior capstone component that will provide an opportunity to integrate their chosen three areas of knowledge in an academically robust independent study experience.
Students majoring in liberal arts and sciences (LAS) must choose a lead advisor from one of the three concentrations being pursued. Together with the assistance and approval of their lead advisor, LAS students will create a B.A. in LAS academic plan that lists the proposed coursework from each of the three selected academic concentrations. This should be done in coordination with the relevant academic departments. The vice president for academic affairs will give final approval to the proposed B.A. in LAS academic plan. A copy of the B.A. in LAS academic plan will be retained by both the main advisor and the vice president for academic affairs. The lead advisor will also be the instructor for PREP 499 for their LAS student.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates in Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.A.) will:
- Outcomes to be determined during the development of the major for approval by VPAA
Major requirements*
Completion of three minors from three different departments. For departments without a minor, a minimum of 18 hours from that department can be selected as an academically cohesive “area of concentration” with approval from the associated Department Head or Chair.
- Students pursuing a liberal arts and sciences major may not count any course taken to satisfy major requirements as a General Education credit.
- A minimum of 2.5 G.P.A. calculated across the 3 different minors or areas of concentration listed in the student’s B.A. in LAS comprehensive plan.
- Under the direction of the major advisor, the student will complete LAS 451 – Liberal Arts and Sciences Capstone. The course can include work and/or internship experience where academically appropriate. The main advisor will submit a formal syllabus for LAS 451, including all required work, to the vice president for academic affairs and the faculty academic affairs committee for approval.
- The capstone course (LAS 451) must contain a summative assignment in the form of a written paper or oral presentation.
- The office of the vice president for academic affairs will retain copies of the B.A. in LAS academic plan, the LAS 451 syllabus and the associated summative assignment.
