Liberal Studies - Southern Connecticut State University

Liberal Studies from Southern Connecticut State University is a Campus Bachelor Liberal Arts and Science degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. Southern offers a B.A. degree in liberal studies for students whose objectives are not met by the university's established liberal arts majors. This approach is especially attractive to part-time students, older students, returning students, and full-time students who want to combine minors in different areas of study to create individual programs that suit their own personal or career needs. The difference between this program and the traditional B.A. in liberal arts is that it does not restrict students to a single major, but rather allows them to broaden their studies by selecting two minors of 18 credits each. The minors may be existing ones, or a planned arrangement of an 18-credit interdisciplinary minor. The interdisciplinary minor must be approved by the Liberal Studies Panel prior to the completion of 60 credits (75 credits for students who have transferred to Southern Connecticut State University), and before the completion of more than 9 credits in the interdisciplinary minor. Students who have earned more than 60 credits are welcome to file a written appeal, detailing the reasons which would warrant an exception to the policy, with the Liberal Studies Panel for waiver of this requirement. However, students who apply with more than 60 credits are advised that more than 122 credits may be required to complete the degree. Students in this program may take more than the minimum 18 credits required for a minor. In a discipline with an established minor, however, the university will count towards the 122 credits needed to graduate no more than 24 credits, not including those taken as University Requirements. Students who want to take more than 24 credits in any single area should major in that area. In the case of interdisciplinary minors, the Liberal Studies Panel will determine what courses will be accepted. Like all students at the university, liberal studies students must also satisfy the University Requirements for the B.A. degree , which consist of 41-53 credits. Further, they must elect an additional 33-45 credits to complete the 122 credits required for a bachelor's degree. At least 36 of these 122 credits must be in courses at the 300-level or higher. A minimum 2.0 QPR is required for acceptance into the liberal studies program. A 2.0 QPR is also required in each minor in order to graduate from the program. The Liberal Studies Panel meets regularly in the fall and spring semesters to review applications to the program. Students who wish to be admitted to the program must file a formal application at least two months in advance of the date they seek admission to liberal studies . Students majoring in elementary education may choose liberal studies as a subject matter major. Those interested should apply to the liberal studies program first by making an appointment with the liberal studies coordinator in the School of Arts and Sciences . Once eligibility for the liberal studies program is determined, applicants may then seek advisement for the elementary education program through Professor Elizabeth Foye in the elementary education department. Elementary education students who choose liberal studies as their second major are assigned an adviser from the elementary education department. Through the Molecular Biology-Biochemistry and Environmental Studies options in the liberal studies program, students are offered an interdisciplinary approach to the study of science. Students enroll in an equal number of courses in chemistry, biology, and environmental science as well as in physics, mathematics, computer science, and earth science. The academic background provided in these specializations enables students to pursue graduate study in biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, forensics, environmental studies , environmental law, or medical, dental, veterinary, or chiropractic schools. Industrial opportunities are made available in pharmaceuticals, university research, cosmetics, hospitals, medical technology, environmental management, and other fields. Depending on an individual student's program, opportunities exist for internship and/or a cooperative education experience. Students are encouraged to ask their advisers whether this type of credit may be applied the their program. View more details on Southern Connecticut State University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Liberal Arts and Science courses.