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May 09, 2024
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2024-2025 General Catalog
Liberal Arts - BA
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 Return to: Programs by College & Department
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Communication Studies and Philosophy
About This Degree
The liberal arts program helps students gain a basic understanding of the development of civilization, historical and cultural traditions, political institutions and processes, and develop an appreciation of fine arts and literature. Because it covers such a broad base, it develops the student’s rational thought and intellectual capabilities in many areas.
Students graduating with a degree in liberal arts are highly desired by employers in a number of areas. By completing a degree through this program, students show they are trainable, fast learners, motivated, flexible, and willing to take on new ideas and concepts. Because students also study a foreign language, they develop marketable language and communication skills, which are sought after by many employers.
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Minimum University Requirements
Admission Requirements For This Program
- New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
- Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.5 USU cumulative, 2.5 minimum career total
- Students must have completed 45 credits before being admitted to the Liberal Arts major.
Major Requirements
Minimum Grade: C in major courses
Minimum Graduation GPA: 2.5 in major courses, 2.0 USU cumulative
Number of Required Credits: 36 (18 must be in upper-division courses)
Other Major Requirements: Must complete the university’s Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements found on the Undergraduate Academic Credential Requirements page
The focus of study for the Liberal Arts major is to help students gain a basic understanding of the development of civilization, including historical and cultural traditions, political institutions and processes, an appreciation of arts and literature, and expanded capacities for critical thought. Students will work with an academic advisor to develop a program of interdisciplinary courses which will provide this base of knowledge. Although the student’s program should be outlined and approved by the academic advisor, the student will be able to choose from a number of courses and disciplines in defining his or her program of study. The program requirements are as listed:
- Four goals for learning have been identified, and courses are selected to fulfill these goals.
- Students must choose 9 credits of coursework from each goal for a total of 36 credits.
- Students must complete courses from a minimum of two different departments listed under each goal.
- Of the 36 total credits, students must earn 18 credits in courses numbered 3000 or higher.
- All credits counting in the 36-credit minimum must have a letter grade of C or better and cannot be taken pass/fail.
- At least 18 credits used in the goal areas must be completed at USU.
- At least 18 credits used in the goal areas must be no older than 10 years.
Goal One - Historical and Cultural Traditions (9 credits)
Purpose: To acquire an understanding of the historical and cultural traditions of Western and/or other civilizations
(9 credits minimum)
Students must choose courses from at least two of the following areas:
- Any History Courses
- Any Anthropology Courses
- Any Folklore Courses
- Any Religious Studies Courses
- World/Regional Geography Courses
- Upper-division Language Courses dealing with culture or civilization (Does not include grammar or conversation courses.)
- Selected Linguistics Courses dealing with culture or civilization
Goal Two - Social and Legal Institutions (9 credits)
Purpose: To develop an understanding of social and legal institutions
(9 credits minimum)
Students must choose courses from at least two of the following areas:
- Any Sociology Courses
- Any Political Science Courses
- Any Family, Consumer, and Human Development Courses
- Any Economics Courses (except orientation courses)
- Any Psychology Courses (except for study skills or career exploration courses)
- Any Management Courses (except orientation courses or leadership courses)
Goal Three - Arts and Literature (9 credits)
Purpose: To develop and strengthen an appreciation of the arts and literature
(9 credits minimum)
Courses selected must be theory or history based, not skill based.
Students must choose courses from at least two of the following areas:
- Art
- Theatre Arts
- Music
- Literature (English or Upper-division Foreign Language Courses)
- Selected Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Courses
- Selected Interior Design Courses
Goal Four - Critical Thinking, Reasoning, and Ethical Inquiry (9 credits)
Purpose: To promote habits of critical, reasonable, and ethical inquiry, providing logic and intellectual integrity in seeking truths
(9 credits minimum)
Students must choose courses from at least two of the following areas:
- Any Philosophy Courses
- Any departmental Ethics Courses
- Upper-division Speech Courses dealing with persuasion, debate, influence, and argumentation.
- Other courses from other areas may be approved in the goals by consultation with the academic advisor
Methods Course Requirement: A Statistics or methods course must be taken as part of the 9-credit minimum for Goal Four if not taken as a part of the University Studies Quantitative Literacy requirement.
Foreign Language Requirement
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages or American Sign Language. Specifically, the BA requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:
- Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent).
- Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780), and by passing an exit interview.
- Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent).
- Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.
For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:
- Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students.
- TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.
Open Electives
Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.
Suggested Degree Map - Liberal Arts BA
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