The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is an individualized degree for students who have interests that extend across multiple academic departments. Students may creatively shape an interdisciplinary degree in consultation with faculty advisors to address a broad theme, problem, region, or professional goal. The Liberal Arts degree may also be useful in expanding the topic of a minor into an interdisciplinary degree. Examples of the Liberal Arts degree include Mathematics and Visual Arts. Further information and applications for the degree are available in the office of the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
A student who is interested in proposing a Liberal Arts degree should consult with two faculty advisors (one of whom will serve as the primary advisor) from different departments to work out a program of study: standard courses and, possibly, Independent Studies and internships. Every program must have a minimum of 48 credits, distributed as follows:
- One foundation course from each of two disciplines.
- The courses are intended to introduce the characteristic approaches and/or content in the two principal disciplines; the course will be selected with the guidance from each of the two main advisors.
- An Integrative course (normally an Independent Study). The study states in detail the purpose of the research; frames questions or issues across disciplines that need some resolution (most concretely in the capstone course); and proposes the relevant methodology or approach.
- One capstone course, an Independent Study that serves as a reflection piece and research report on the program of study. It will synthesize the disciplinary strands of the research project and, ideally, the student will provide a critical analysis of the research process. The substantial paper may very well point the way to further investigation anticipated in a graduate program or professional position.
- Elective credits totaling 32 to be developed with the two advisors. The suggestion is for a minimum of 12 credits in each of the two main departments (including the courses described above). The electives must contribute to a coherent program of study and may of course include courses from more than the two main departments. Further considerations:
- The primary faculty advisor will make proposals with regard to transfer courses that may be applied to the program of study. Consultation with the other advisor may be helpful.
- Changes to the program in mid-stream will be accepted with the written approval of the primary faculty advisor and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
- Students must apply for the program before completing 90 credits, but would do well to apply much earlier.
- Students must fulfill the College’s Liberal Education Curriculum requirements and complete 120 credits for the degree. The Liberal Arts degree must have at least 90 credits of liberal arts courses.
The Liberal Arts application, prepared in consultation with the two faculty advisors must be approved by the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences to insure conformity with requirements for the degree. With the approval of the Assistant Dean, the student will be accepted as a Liberal Arts major. It will be important for the student to consult regularly with the primary advisor— at least two times each semester--who will monitor and discuss progress with the student. The primary advisor will review the student’s application for graduation. The student will meet at least once each semester with the secondary advisor. 24 credits (out of the 48 program credits) must be at the upper-division level. A minimum grade of C is required in any course used to fulfill the degree requirements.