2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Liberal Studies, BS


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The mission of the BS in Liberal Studies program is to help students use interdisciplinary study to demonstrate an understanding for and appreciation of continued, life-long learning – an essential component in being a successful professional.  This major provides a path for a Bachelor’s degree for students who will pursue licensure in Special Education PK-12 at the graduate level or who have decided not to pursue elementary or elementary/middle licensure.

In addition to the multi-disciplinary Civitae Core requirements, Liberal Studies students take advanced courses in English, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science.  The Liberal Studies program has two available concentrations, depending on the type of student background and intended pursuit: Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure or Multidisciplinary. 

Students in the Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration intend to seek teacher licensure as part of the Master in Education program, concentration in Special Education: General Curriculum 5th Year K-12.  Licensure occurs after completion of the Master’s degree. Students who choose not to complete the fifth year of the program will not be licensed to teach. At the undergraduate level, the concentration includes a professional component comprised of an array of methods classes, Practicum, Partnership and Student Teaching.

Students must apply and be accepted into the Multidisciplinary concentration of the Liberal Studies program. Students must design a multidisciplinary coursework plan of at least 42 credits, with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 21 credits from any one discipline. Students must have completed at least: 1) 30 credit hours of college coursework after high school and 2) one semester as a full-time student at Longwood prior to application.  The application will include a title for the proposed plan, a rationale that provides the basis for the plan, a list of at least three desired learning outcomes that map to the rationale, and a list of all the courses that comprise the plan.  Each course should align with at least one learning outcome. The complete plan should provide a coherent and connected set of courses and experiences that both adequately addresses all the learning outcomes and is consistent with the overall rationale for the plan.  The student will also need to explain how achieving these learning outcomes cannot be accomplished through an existing Longwood major/concentration. A Cormier Honors student must additionally have a GPA of at least 3.25 prior to application.  The Program Coordinator for this concentration must approve the design of the program plan prior to acceptance into this concentration.  The plan must also be accepted by the Associate Dean of Cook-Cole College or, in the case of a Cormier Honors student, that college’s dean. If approved, the plan will become the set of requirements inside of this concentration.  Any changes to the plan must be approved by Program Coordinator and appropriate College administrator.

Civitae Core Requirements (39-40 credits)


Liberal Studies majors in the Multidisciplinary concentration do not have specific Civitae requirements within their major requirements. They may fulfill the Civitae requirements with any of the choices listed in the Civitae Core options.

Liberal Studies majors in the Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration must take the following courses to satisfy the Civitae Core requirements listed below. If a Civitae Core requirement is not listed below, majors can satisfy those with any of the choices listed in the Civitae Core options.

Pillar Courses:

Historical and Contemporary Insights - HIST 222  

Human Behavior and Social Institutions - EDUC 245  

Global Citizenship - ASL 110  

Aesthetic Expression - ENGL 280  

Scientific Reasoning - BIOL 114  

Perspectives Courses:

World Languages - ASL 210  

Aesthetic Expression - ART 389  OR MUSC 389  OR THEA 389  

Human Behavior and Social Institutions - SOCL 320  

Scientific Reasoning - EASC 300  

Additional Degree Requirement (3 credits)


Students in the Multidisciplinary Concentration must take any additional course in Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences.

Students in the Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration must take:

Major Requirements (55-70 credits total)


All Liberal Studies majors must complete three credits of English, three credits of Mathematics, four credits of Natural Science, and three credits of Social Science.

Students in the Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration must specifically take the following core courses:

Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration requirements (57 credits)


In addition to the English, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science courses listed above, students in the Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration must also take the following:

Mathematics (3 credits)


Natural Science (6 credits in Civitae)


Social Science (6 credits + 6 credits in Civitae)


Fine Arts (3 credits in Civitae)


Select one course from the following:

Professional Requirements for SPED PK-12 pre-Licensure


Students must be admitted to the Teacher Preparation program before they will be permitted to enroll in SPED 327  or SPED/EDUC courses above this level. Please visit the Office of Teacher Preparation website for more information.

Prior to Teacher Prep. Admission (6 credits + 3 credits in Civitae)


Student Teaching Semester (12 credits)


Note: Passing score on Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) are required prior to beginning student teaching.

Multidisciplinary concentration requirements (42 credits)


In addition to the requirements for all Liberal Studies majors, students in this concentration must complete their approved coursework plan as outlined in the program description above. The plan must include:

  • a capstone or culminating experience of at least three credits that includes a reflective essay by the student indicating how the learning outcomes listed in the approved plan were met;
  • a minimum of 12 credits in at least one discipline;
  • a maximum of 21 credits from any one discipline; a minimum of 18 credits numbered at the 300 level or higher; and
  • a maximum of 12 credits of internship.

The plan may include the completion of a minor.

Electives


Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure concentration: 7 credits

Multidisciplinary concentration: 22-23 credits

Total Credits: 120


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