B.A./M.A. in American Studies/Liberal Studies

Degree Type
5-Year Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts
Department

A flexible solution for students interested in beginning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree during their final term as an undergraduate

Highly qualified candidates will complete the program in five years by accelerating undergraduate coursework, and moving on to graduate study in their fourth year.

The program brings together the B.A. in American Studies, known for its development of critical thinking, debate and clear expository writing skills of its students, with the M.A. in Liberal Studies, where your graduate study that is tailored to meet specific areas of need and interest;

Both programs emphasize the diversity of American Society and the experiences of ordinary life as they prepare graduates for careers in education, media, law, government, social work and more.

Admissions Requirements

Candidates must apply for the program by the end of their Junior year.

  • 12 credits of residency at SUNY Old Westbury
  • Grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.25 in courses required for the American Studies B.A. degree
  • Transfer students’ GPA must meet Old Westbury’s GPA requirements and transfer courses must be calculated along with Old Westbury grades for admission to this program.
  • A completed admissions application that includes:
    • An essay
    • Two letters of reference from faculty
    • All college transcripts

Once admitted to the program, candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.25 (overall, in the AS major; and 3.0 once they enter the MALS program) in each semester of study.

During the undergraduate portion of the degree, candidates must meet the requirements of an American Studies major. Those whose GPA falls below 3.25 will be placed on probation and will have one semester to bring up their grades.

Candidates who fail to complete the five-year program will be administratively transferred into the American Studies major, and will graduate with the B.A. degree when they satisfy its requirements.

 

Curriculum

Sample Curriculum 

First Year

Fall Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 2112 American People I

4

EL 1000 Composition I

4

MA xxxx Math Proficiency Course

4

FY1000 “Ethics of Engagement”

4

Term credit totals:

16

Spring Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 1/2xxx L/D AS Elective

4

EL 22xx Composition II

4

VA xxxx Visual Arts Course

4

Social Science course

4

CL2000 Community Engagement

2

Term credit totals:

18

second year

Fall Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 2122 American People II

4

AS 1/2xxx Elective

4

Other World Civilization course

4

Natural Sciences course

4

Term credit totals:

16

Spring Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 3100 AS Seminar

4

GER Western Civilization

4

GER Foreign Language

4

Elective course

4

Term credit totals:

16

third year

Fall Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 4xxx U/D History/Analysis

4

AS 5xxx Capping course I

4

AS 3xxx U/D Elective

4

AS4202 Internship (part 1)

2

Elective course

4

Term credit totals:

18

Spring Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

AS 4xxx U/D History/Analysis

4

AS 5xxx Capping course II

4

AS4202 Internship (part 2)

2

Elective course

4

Elective course

4

Term credit totals:

18

fourth year

Fall Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

LI6000 Intro to Interdisciplinary Study (MALS course)

3

MALS Elective (MALS course)

3

Elective course

4

Elective course

4

Elective course

4

Term credit totals:

18

Spring Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

MALS Elective or Concentration course

3

MALS Elective or Concentration course

3

MALS Elective or Concentration course

3

Term credit total:

9

fifth year

Year 5 – Fall Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

LI7510 Thesis Research (for students doing Thesis option)

OR

MALS Elective (for students doing Internship Option)

3

MALS Elective or Concentration course

3

MALS Elective or Concentration course

3

Term credit total:

9

Spring Semester

Course Number & Title

Credits

LI6300 Internship or Field Placement  OR  LI7520 Thesis Workshop

3

MALS Elective course

3

Term credit total:

6