Liberal Studies - Bachelor of Arts
Program Overview
Liberal Studies - Bachelor of Arts Degree Map
The Liberal Studies - Bachelor of Arts degree map outlines the requirements for completing a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, students need to average 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits.
Requirements
- General Education Requirements
- Degree Requirements
- Major Requirements
- University Writing Requirements
- Race and Ethnic Studies Requirements
- Credit Requirements and Limits
Degree Maps and Advising
Degree maps show one possible course plan for earning a degree in four years. Students should talk with their advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for them, especially if they have earned transferable academic credit.
Bulletin or Catalog Year
The Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements needed to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit students to follow a different catalog. Typically, the catalog year is the year the student began at PSU, but transfer students may be able to use an earlier catalog.
DARS System
Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report to track their progress through their program. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate.
Course Plans by Year
First Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Inquiry | 5 | First Year Inquiry | 5 | First Year Inquiry | 5 |
| BA Second Language 101 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 102 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 103 | 3-5 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | BA Science/Math | 3-4 |
| Total Fall Credits | 12-14 | Total Winter Credits | 12-14 | Total Spring Credits | 11-14 |
Second Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Second Language 201 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 202 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 203 | 3-5 |
| BA Science/Social Science | 3-4 | BA Fine & Performing Arts | 3-4 | BA Science/Social Science | 3-4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement | 3-4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 |
| Total Fall Credits | 14-17 | Total Winter Credits | 14-17 | Total Spring Credits | 13-17 |
Second Year Milestone: Complete one Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) course.
Third Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR 323 | 4 | General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 |
| Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement | 3-4 | General Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| Total Fall Credits | 15-16 | Total Winter Credits | 16 | Total Spring Credits | 16 |
Third Year Milestone: Complete WR 323 and one Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) course (by the end of Fall term).
Fourth Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 |
| Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective | 4 | General Elective | 1 |
| Total Fall Credits | 16 | Total Winter Credits | 16 | Total Spring Credits | 13 |
Additional Map Notes
- First Year Inquiry: First Year Inquiry is recommended but not required for Liberal Studies majors. Students not taking FRINQ will need to take a course to meet Part 1 of the University Writing Requirement (e.g., WR 121Z) and two additional General Electives.
- Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
- Students may need to add additional general elective credits to their plan to reach 180 total credits.