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.

Foreign Language Requirement

In addition to completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages. 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) OR
Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (course) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (course), and by passing an exit interview OR
Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level or higher in one language and the 2010 course level or higher in the second language (or its equivalent) OR
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 non-native English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students OR
TOEFL, IELTS, other USU approved exam, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the university admission criteria.

Liberal Arts - BA

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Program Requirements

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Program Learning Outcomes

Total Credits Required In Program Coursework

Total Credits Required To Earn This Credential