Liberal Studies

The Bachelor of Science in liberal studies is a program for unique individuals – students with a deep interest in such principles as justice, freedom, well-being, and human rights who want to use their knowledge to affect positive change in the lives of people and their communities.

Liberal studies is an approach to learning that began with the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is focused upon gaining a holistic understanding of the world and our place within it so that we might become active contributors to our communities. By exhibiting curiosity and challenging assumptions, these thinkers engaged in “the examined life,” a journey of intellectual discovery that they believed liberated us from ignorance and enabled us to become informed citizens of the world.

The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies is a program for those who share the passion for learning that defined Greek and Roman culture. Students who join this major are interested in developing a deeper understanding of such principles as justice, freedom, well-being, and human rights and who seek to apply this knowledge to make a positive impact on society.

The Liberal Studies major is specifically designed to give you the freedom to create your own course of study. Seventy percent of the courses for this degree are electives, distributed throughout the college’s curriculum in three domains of learning:

• Humanities: art history, communications, English, foreign languages, history, music, philosophy, religious studies, and theater.
• Natural Sciences and Math: biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Social Sciences: economics, human services, political science, psychology, and sociology.

This interdisciplinary coursework will expose you to the multiple ways that human civilizations have created and organized knowledge and articulated ethical systems that shape social and cultural values. It will also encourage you to determine which ideas are important to you and how you can incorporate them into your life. As you engage ideas from around the globe, you should expect to improve your reasoning and problem-solving skills, expand your appreciation of cultural diversity, develop a mature understanding of the self through personal reflection, and build a portfolio of experiences that will enable you to become an engaged member of your communities.

Degree Options

Our flexible program options means you can earn your degree on-campus or online.

Curriculum & Courses

The Liberal Studies major offers students the opportunity to fashion an individualized and interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on the development of critical skills necessary for analyzing complex information from multiple sources. Students are required to complete 120 credits, distributed in the following manner: the Hilbert Blueprint sequence; Public Speaking; two courses in English; one course in Religious Studies, five major courses, six General Education courses, and twenty-two electives from the major, Liberal Arts, and general electives.

View Curriculum & Courses  View Printable Curriculum (PDF)

Internship Opportunities

To help you determine and pursue your career choice, you’ll be encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities. Students may arrange semester-long internships, either at local organizations and agencies or outside the region in places such as Albany or Washington, D.C.

Internships, for which you receive college credit, provide invaluable real-world experience and networking opportunities with working professionals. 
 

Career Opportunity Outlook

Liberal Studies majors can demonstrate problem-solving skills, multicultural competencies, and creativity are in high demand among employers. These graduates are prepared for a wide variety of academic and professional paths.

• Academic Opportunities: graduate studies in any field of study.
• Professional Opportunities: writing, editing, and publishing; primary and secondary school instruction and administration; political advocacy; community organizing; public policy advocacy; human rights activism; human resources; law enforcement.