A Traditional Approach

Liberal Studies is a nontraditional program. To better understand this idea, you might start by considering what is “traditional” in higher education. Traditional degrees are generally designed for students who are passionate about a specific academic discipline. To provide a strong foundation in the discipline, traditional degree programs determine what courses students must take and, in some cases, the order in which they must take them. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but it may mean you end up taking courses you’d rather not take or that you have a hard time getting the courses you need each semester, if you get out of sequence. By the time you complete all the requirements, you may have very little room left to take electives to explore your interests.

A Nontraditional Approach

Our nontraditional approach is for students who are more passionate about ideas than they are about a traditional academic discipline. For example, you may be passionate about environmental issues. For some students, a traditional degree in environmental studies might serve this passion. But, if you are more intrigued by the idea of environmental issues than you are the discipline, you could explore your interest by taking courses in environmental studies, sociology, history, and/or other disciplines.

Points of Pride