Liberal Studies is a multidisciplinary degree program administered by the office of the dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Business, and Student Affairs. The B.S. in liberal studies is a major program designed to provide (1) a structured program that encourages students to explore a diversity of academic skills and disciplines, (2) a liberal arts program for students who have not decided upon a specific school or major, and (3) an option for students who have a desire to specialize in a combination of courses for which a dedicated major does not already exist. It is not necessary for students who enter the university undecided about a major to continue in liberal studies through graduation. Many students who begin in the liberal studies program develop interests that lead them to declare a specific major. Conversely, some students who have completed the core of a degree program opt for liberal studies when their career goals change.
Students can not dual degree or dual major with liberal studies.
General Requirements
Admission requirements for the B.S. in liberal studies are the same as those for admission to the university. The degree is based upon the standard eight-semester sequence of courses and requires a minimum of 120 semester hours for graduation.
Academic standards for good standing in the program are the same as the university standards for good standing. To earn the B.S. in liberal studies, the student must complete 48 credits and have a minimum cumulative quality-point average of 2.00 for all course work.
Specific Requirements
Forty-eight credits are general education classes as required by the university constituting courses in specific categories within arts and sciences. In addition to general education classes, liberal studies students complete 24 credits of lower-level (100-200) and 24 credits of upper-level (300 and above) Arts and Sciences courses. An additional 24 credits of elective coursework may be selected from any discipline. Maximum course work in a single discipline is limited to 39 credit hours. All courses must be selected in consultation with an advisor.
Programs Administered Through the
College of Arts and Sciences
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
REQUIREMENTS IN MAJOR (48 credits)
A minimum of 24 credits must be earned in the College of Arts and Sciences; at or above the 300 level. No more than 39 credits may be represented in a single discipline.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN EDUCATION (72 credits)
Required: ED 110, 121 or 122, 225, 327, 329, 417,and SPED 418; a minimum of 51 credits must be earned in the College of Arts and Sciences; a minimum of 30 credits must be at or above the 300 level. Restricted to seniors.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN ENGLISH (72 credits)
Required: One course from ENG 130, 140, 150, 199, 230, 231, 242, 244, 249, 250, or 265; two courses from ENG 221, 222, 225, 226, 227, or 228; two courses from ENG 200, 202, 207, 263, 301, 303, 304, 306, 307, or 356; one course from ENG 227, 228, 230, 231, 331, or 354. The same course may not be used to fulfill two core requirements. English electives: 21 credits at a 300-400 level. Required core courses and upper level English electives must total 39 credits; an additional 33 credits in Arts and Sciences must be earned (18 at the 300-level or above).
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN WRITING (72 credits)
Required: 24 credits in English writing courses; 15 credits in non-writing English courses (literature, drama, movie studies, folklore, linguistics); 33 additional credits in Arts and Sciences courses, excluding English.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S., CONCENTRATION IN
GEOGRAPHY AND SUSTAINABLE PLANNING (72 credits)
Required: GEOG 100, 257, 310, GEOG/ES 385, 400, 470, and ES 150. One course from GEOG 250, 252, or 490; one course from GEOG 260, 265, or 310; one course from GEOG/ES 345, 425, 490; 39 additional credits at the 300-level or above.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES (72 credits)
Required: 21 credits of women and gender studies courses; WGS 100: Survey of Women and Gender Studies; at least twelve other credits at the 300-400 levels. Eighteen credits to be selected from ANTH 216, 315; ART 216; ED/WGS 406; ENG 265, 365; GEOG 315; HIST 230; HPE 370; PHIL 357; PSY 220, 340, 390; CMST 281, 320; SOC 311, 352, 362, 452; WGS 200, 300, 311.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN COMMUNICATION (72 credits)
Required: MMAJ 101, 140; CMST 110; 12 credits in MMAJ 100-499 (at least 9 credits must be 300-level or higher); 30 credits in Colleges of Arts & Sciences coursework numbered 300-level or higher. Remaining 21 credits are elective coursework numbered 100-level or higher.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN THEATRE (72 credits)
Required: THE 161, 253, 254, 359, 360; two courses from THE 155, 201, 204, 301, 310, 311, 321, 352, 361, 368, 369, 370, 461; one course from THE 350 or 351; two courses from THE 251, 262, 271, 362, 363, 366, 367, 371; one course from THE 300-499; two courses from ENG 140, 342, 343, 344, 345, 412, 413; three credits from THE 103 (maximum 2 credits) or 104. Remaining 30 credits from College of Arts and Sciences courses numbered 100-499.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.
CONCENTRATION IN GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING
By providing language proficiency and in-depth knowledge of different regions or disciplines, the Global Understanding concentration expands the horizon of students' educational experience and moreover encourages new or innovative perspective for students' future professional and/or academic growth. Equipped with language, the essential tool of communication, and with a humanistic vision of the world, students are more prepared to immerse with other people and into other societies, and to take up successfully the role of a global citizen. With a credit load that falls between a minor and a major, the concentration can easily accommodate another concentration or multiple minors within the 120-credit four-year degree program.
Course requirements are undergoing review and revision. Updated requirements will be posted as soon as they are available.
Programs Administered Through the
College of Education and Human Services
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S., 48 credits)
The B.S. in liberal studies with a concentration in library science prepares students to work as paraprofessionals and provisional librarians in a variety of settings, including public libraries in Pennsylvania. It introduces students to the exciting worlds of information management and information transfer, in both traditional and emerging venues. The B.S. in liberal studies with a concentration in library science serves as an excellent preparation for studying toward a master's degree in library setting (such as Clarion's American Library Association-accredited MSLS degree), which is the recognized professional credential for the practice of librarianship.
Required: LS 255, 257, 258, 357, 361, and 385. A minimum of 15 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT (72 credits)
Required: HPE 370, 380, 430, 440, MGMT 320, 430, and COOP 447. One course from ECON 175, 211, or 212. A minimum of 39 credits must be at the 300-level or above. Students enrolled in this concentration are not eligible to receive the Sport Management minor.
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S.,
CONCENTRATION IN ATHLETIC COACHING (72 credits)
Required: HPE 333, 334, 406, 407, 408, 409, 440, and COOP 444. Two courses from HPE 351, 352, or 354. A minimum of 39 credits must be at the 300-level or above.
Library Science
Liberal arts students, regardless of their major, may qualify as provisional librarians under the Pennsylvania Library Code by successfully completing at least 12 library science credits (semester hours).
Programs Administered Through Student Affairs
LIBERAL STUDIES, B.S., CONCENTRATION IN
ATHLETIC TRAINING (76 credits)
In collaboration with California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University offers an array of courses applicable toward a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. The program provides general education credits through Clarion and course work in sports medicine and athletic training by means of distance learning from California's campus. In addition, students are required to complete practicums and labs taught by the sports medicine staff at Clarion University. The Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training requires the completion of 120 credits for graduation with the degree being awarded by California University. These credits are in the athletic training concentration and general education. Twenty-five of the athletic training credits are earned through courses taught at Clarion by California through distance education and the remaining credits in athletic training are taught by Clarion University's sports medicine and athletic training staff.
Admission to Athletic Program
Admission to the Athletic Training Education Program is extremely competitive and approximately six students are selected each year. Applications for the Athletic Training curriculum are accepted during the second semester of the freshman year and screened by the California University Admissions and Academic Standards Committee (AASC). During this semester, the student submits a letter of application to the AASC, which screens, interviews, and selects the students to be admitted. Criteria for selection are: a minimum 3.00 QPA in athletic training courses, a minimum of 100 documented observation hours, an interview with a department faculty member, and the ability to meet the program's technical standards (www.cup.edu/education/hsss).
Athletic Training Requirements
General Education
Students must satisfy the general education credits of California University (see www.cup.edu/ugcatalog/generaleducation).
Professional Education
Professional Education courses for the Athletic Training Program include a collection of Liberal Knowledge and Health and Physical Education courses and foundation courses in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. The following courses are required for the program:
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 258: Anatomy & Physiology I, 3 credits
ENG 111: Writing II, 3
SC 113: Public Speaking, 3
PSY 211: General Psychology, 3
Mathematics requirement, 3
TOTAL 15
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 259: Anatomy & Physiology II, 3 credits
ATE 150: Introduction to Athletic Training, 3
HPE 111: Health Education, 2
HPE: Personal Performance, 1
ENG 130: Literary Experience, or
ENG 200: Composition and Literature, or
ENG 307: Business Writing, 3
CIS 110: Intro to Computer Information Systems, or
CIS 217: Applications of Microcomputers, 3
TOTAL 15
THIRD SEMESTER
ATE 204: Athletic Training Clinical Ed. I, 2 credits
ATE 225: Evaluative Techniques I, 4
HSC 275: Functional Kinesiology, 3
HSC 300: Emergency Medical Technician, 4
General Education elective, 3
TOTAL 16
FOURTH SEMESTER
ATE 204: Athletic Training Clinical Ed. I, 2 credits
ATE 265: Evaluative Techniques II, 4
HSC 290: Therapeutic Modality and Lab, 4
SOC 211: Principles of Sociology, 3
General Education elective, 3
TOTAL 16
FIFTH SEMESTER
ATE 305: Athletic Training Clinical Ed. II, 2 credits
ATE 330: Therapeutic Exercise and Lab, 4
Humanities elective, 3
Science elective, 3
Social/Behavioral Science elective, 3
TOTAL 14
SIXTH SEMESTER
ATE 305: Athletic Training Clinical Education II, 2 credits
ATE 315: General Medical Assessment, 3
HSC 325: Physiology of Exercise, 3
HPE 334: Food, Fitness, and Weight Management, 3
FIT 400: Int. Sport Performance Training, 3
TOTAL 14
SEVENTH SEMESTER
ATE 400: Ortho Evaluations in Sports Medicine, 1 credits
ATE 405: Athletic Training Clinical Education III, 2
ATE 440: Pharmacology, 2
ATE 460: Sports Medicine Research, 3
Humanities elective, 3
Arts & Sciences elective, 3
TOTAL 14
EIGHTH SEMESTER
ATE 400: Ortho Evaluations in Sports Medicine, 1 credits
ATE 405: Athletic Training Clinical Education III, 2
ATE 425: Administrative Strategies in Athletic Training, 2
Arts & Sciences electives, 10
TOTAL 15
