Liberal Studies B.A., Individualized Concentration

The Liberal Studies Individualized Concentration is available by admission only.  Since students wishing to pursue this cross-disciplinary major are seeking freedom from the requirements normally set by disciplinary majors, they must demonstrate their academic maturity by meeting the following admission requirements:

1. The student must have completed a minimum of 30 (overall) semester hours.
2. The student must have a minimum cumulative academic grade point average of 3.3.
3. The student must identify one or more advisors (referred to as Program Advisors) drawn from the disciplines included in the Program of study, who will provide them with guidance required to complete their Program of Study.)
4. The student must submit and have accepted a prospectus formed in three parts:
   1. A list of a minimum of 2 disciplines to be used in the major
   2. A list of courses and time-line for taking the courses, developed in consultation with the program advisor(s) and approved by the department chair of the disciplines represented in the student's major of study
   3. A typed essay of 500-750 words in length describing why the student has chosen this program of study, how (s)he plans to coordinate the disciplines and why. 

The prospectus must be approved by the Coordinator before the student can be admitted to the major.  Any change of disciplines or courses listed must be approved by the program advisors and registered with the Liberal Studies coordinator. 

Courses used in the major program may not be used to fulfill the requirements of a minor in the same discipline.

Degree Requirements - Individualized Concentration

Areas A- E (see Core section of this Catalog) (42 semester hours)

Area F

Interdisciplinary Methods

Choose any one of the following:

IDST 2000	Interdisciplinary Exploration	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Humanities

Take any 1000-2000 level course(s) in ARTS, DANC, ENGL, FREN, GRMN, ITAL, JAPN, LING, MFLG, MSCM, MUED, MUSC, PHIL, RELI, RHET, SPAN, THEA.

Social Sciences

Take any 1000-2000 level course(s) in AFST, ANTH, BLST, CRJU, ECON, GEOG, HIST, INST, POLS, PSYC, SOCI, WMST.

Natural Sciences and Math

Take any 1000-2000 level course(s) in: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, ENSC, GEOG, GEOl, MATH, PHYS.

Note: When selecting from the natural sciences (ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ENSC, GEOG, GEOL, PHYS), both the lecture and the companion laboratory course (when it exists) must be successfully completed to apply the credits from either course to this degree requirement.

(Any transfer student, who has not completed in the courses in Area F, or their equivalents, must take the courses at GCSU.)

Major Requirements

Major Areas

Upper-level hours to be taken in 2 or more distinct disciplines, determined in consultation with the program advisor(s) and the department chairs of the disciplines represented, and approved by the Liberal Studies coordinator.  A minimum of 15 semester hours are required in 1 discipline and a minimum of 9 semester hours in another discipline.

Capstone

An appropriate 4000-level course to be chosen in consultation with the program advisor(s) that will additionally include a senior research paper/project that shows the convergence between the disciplines included in the student's program of study.

Language Requirements

Students must demonstrate minimum proficiency at the level of the fourth university course (2002). Students may use up to 9 hours of foreign language coursework in Area F (Humanities).

Electives (2-6 semester hours)

Electives will vary by student because of the various credits needed for foreign language requirement.

Other Requirements for Liberal Studies B.A. (all concentrations)

• Completion of the First-Year Academic Seminar with a passing grade. Students who transfer to GC after the first term are exempt from the requirement.
• Liberal Studies majors must earn a C or better in all courses that count toward their major.
• A minimum of 120 semester credit hours and all requirements met. 
• A minimum of 39 semester hours overall must be at the 3000-4000 level.
• Fulfillment of University-wide Senior Capstone Experience requirement, as explained above.