Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog Archived Catalog

Liberal Arts, B.A.


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Liberal Arts


The Liberal Arts major is one of the University’s most flexible academic programs. The major has been developed for those students who wish to examine an area of the Liberal Arts in depth and, at the same time, self-design a baccalaureate program of study which prepares them for either graduate study or a variety of career options requiring a broad understanding of the humanities, social/behavioral sciences, and the fine arts.

While students in this major select their courses from a wide range of disciplines, each individual program should have coherence and a convincing rationale for its structure. To achieve this goal, each student, upon acceptance into the major, works with an academic advisor to design a program plan for completing the major within specified parameters. As part of that program plan, the completion of an academic minor, chosen from available options within the Division of Arts and Sciences, is required. The student is also encouraged to meet regularly with the career development staff to explore career options, design a portfolio, and develop appropriate credentials for future job searches.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Liberal Arts and will:

  • Communicate clearly and persuasively, using a wide variety of examples.
  • Read, write, speak, and listen with discrimination and logical judgment.
  • Analyze, problem solve, and evaluate in a thoughtful manner.
  • Apply the insights of great writers and thinkers from a broad sampling of academic areas.

Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the Liberal Arts major are required to:

  • Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the time of application to the major.
  • Make formal application to the major in the Fall semester of the sophomore year.

Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements

Progression in the Liberal Arts major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires students to:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
  • Receive a minimum grade of “C” in every major course requirement.
  • Complete a minimum of 122 credits.

Cooperative Education

Students in the major are encouraged to complete a minimum of three (3) credits of Cooperative Education in settings related to Liberal Arts. See HUM 394-396  and HUM 494-496  for specific details pertaining to this experience.

Course Requirements


Major Requirements: 63 Credits


  • 3 Credits
  • Any Arts and Sciences courses at the 200-level and above 12 Credits
  • Any 400-level Seminar within the Division of Arts and Sciences 3 Credits
  • Self-Designed portion of the program 45 Credits *

Note:


* All courses in the Self-Designed portion of the Liberal Arts major, unless specified in one of the minors listed below, must be taken from within the Division of Arts and Sciences. An academic minor, chosen from the following available options that are offered by the Division of Arts and Sciences, must be incorporated into this section of the major: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication and Media Arts, Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, Foreign Language, Franciscan Studies, History, Intelligence Studies, Journalism, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Musical Theater, Natural Science, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Theater Arts, Theology, Writing, or Youth Ministry.

General Electives: 12 Credits


Suggested Four-Year Curriculum: 122 Credits


Freshman Year: Fall Semester (16 Credits)


Freshman Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)


Sophomore Year: Fall Semester (15-16 Credits)


  • Arts and Sciences Requirement 3 Credits
  • General Elective 3 Credits
  • SCIENCE CORE/Lab 4 Credits
  • or

  • 3 Credits
  •  

  • Self-Designed Portion 6 Credtis

Sophomore Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)


  • Arts and Sciences Requirement 3 Credits
  •  

  • SCIENCE CORE/Lab 4 Credits
  • or

  • 3 Credits
  •  

  • Self-Designed Portion 9 Credits

Junior Year: Fall Semester (15 Credits)


Junior Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)


  • Arts and Sciences Requirement 3 Credits
  • General Elective 3 Credits
  • Self-Designed Portion 6 Credits

 

  • THEO (200 level or higher) 3 Credits

or

  • PHIL (200 level or higher) 3 Credits

Senior Year: Fall Semester (15 Credits)


  • Arts and Sciences Requirement 3 Credits
    or
  • Arts and Sciences Seminar 3 Credits
     
  • General Elective 3 Credits
  • Self-Designed Portion 9 Credits

Senior Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)


  • Arts and Sciences Requirement 3 Credits
    or
  • Arts and Sciences Seminar 3 Credits
     
  • General Elective 3 Credits
  • Self-Designed Portion 9 Credits

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