Office of the Registrar

Liberal Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2024-25 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps & Advising

Degree maps show just one possible course plan for how to earn a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

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Bulletin or Catalog Year

This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

DARS System  

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

How to Run a DARS about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry5First Year Inquiry5First Year Inquiry5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
General Elective4General Elective4BA Science/Math3-4
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits11-14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
BA Science/Social Science3-4BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4BA Science/Social Science3-4
General Elective4General Elective4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
General Elective3-44General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits14-17Total Spring Credits13-17

Second Year Milestone: Complete one Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) course. 

Second Year Note: Work with your Advisor to be certain your general electives are preparing you for your upper division major courses.

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
WR 3234General Elective4General Elective4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4General Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
General Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestone: Complete WR 323 and one Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) course (by the end of Fall term).

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4
Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4Upper Division Liberal Studies Elective4General Elective1
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits13

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • First Year Inquiry: First Year Inquiry is recommended but not required for Liberal Studies majors. Students not taking FRINQ will need to take a course to meet Part 1 of the University Writing Requirement (eg WR 121Z) and two additional General Electives.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Liberal Studies

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