Liberal Studies

Our Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies is designed to provide you with a flexible liberal education emphasizing the humanities and social sciences. This coursework provides a foundation for understanding the ideas shaping our society.  In addition, the program is founded on a general education core, with an emphasis on advanced work in two areas of liberal study with options in the humanities and social sciences.

Mission Statement

The MSU-Northern Liberal Studies BA is committed to the discovery of knowledge about social, historical, ethical, cultural, and aesthetic issues that shaped the past and influence students’ future academic, personal, and professional lives.

Learning Outcomes for Liberal Studies, BA

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of knowledge and methods from disciplines in humanities, social sciences and fine arts.
  • Give a compelling, focused, well-organized and well-delivered argument on a research topic that demonstrates the ability to engage in perspective-taking.
  • Consider multiple perspectives; discuss critical assumptions, findings and alternative interpretations; and draw well-founded and cautious conclusions, integrating knowledge and modes of thinking from two or more disciplines.
  • Understand the significant ideas, concepts, structures, and values within and across disciplines, including theoretical, ethical, and practical implications, demonstrating interdisciplinary connections between two or more liberal arts areas.  
     

Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies-Minor Required

General Education Core33
Required Courses
LSH 201Intro to Humanities The Art of (Meets CAT VI Requirement)3
Choose one
PHIL 200
PHIL 210Ethics3
LIT 300Literary Criticism3
Additional Foreign Language or cultural diversity course3
Select (6) six credits (100-200 level)6
ARTZ, ARTH, CRWR, GDSN, LIT, MUSI, PHIL, THTR, NASX 120, NASX 121, NASX 235 *
Select (6) six credits (100-200 level)6
CMLD, COMX, EDU, PSCI, PSYX, SOCI, CJUS 215, CJUS 228, CJUS 236, NASX 105, NASX 232, HSTA, HSTR *
Select (15) fifteen credits from two of the following major areas at the 300-400 level. 30
ARTH, ARTZ,GDSN, MUSI, NASX, THTR
LIT, CRWR, WRIT, LING, FNASX 340, NASX 360
CMLD, COMX, EDU 311, EDU 315, EDU 337, EDU 340, EDU 382, EDU 481, EDU 497, EDUC 355, SOCI, SW, PSYX, HSTR, HSTA, PSCI, CJUS 325, CJUS 335, CJUS 356, CJUS 427, CJUS 440, NASX 304, NASX 310, NASX 376, NASX 450
LSH 494Senior Capstone
Total minimum credits required for degree/minor120
*

If a course counts in more than one area, additional courses will be required to reach the 120 credits required to graduate.

**

May impact how many additional electives students need