Liberal Studies Major is now offering a Pre-Designed Theme in Social Science

Check out the Pre-Designed Theme Website for detailed curriculum on all themes at OSU-Cascades Campus. 

Students may choose either a pre-designed theme or to create their own theme for the Liberal Studies major course requirements.  Read below for more info on the major.

Introducing the OSU Cascades Major in American Studies

American Studies Website OSU-Cascades has more information on a new major in the College of Liberal Arts.

Questions - Contact Dr. Neil Browne, neil.browne@osucascades.edu

Tools for Liberal Studies Majors

• plan of study
• application essay
• OSU-Cascades on-campus LS courses
• Liberal Studies Checklist/Advising Guide

Description of Liberal Studies Major

The OSU-Cascades Liberal Studies program allows students to select from a set of three pre-designed themes established by departments within the OSU-Cascades College of Liberal Arts (CLA) or design their own theme of their choice. These themes, offered as focused areas of concentration utilizing Cascades faculty expertise, can be completed on-site by taking courses from the following departments: Art, Anthropology, English, Political Science, Spanish, Speech Communication, Psychology, Sociology and Women Studies .

Students work in close consultation with a Liberal Studies advisor to mix and match courses from any combination of all 13 departments in the OSU College of Liberal Arts (CLA) to design their own major organized around a theme.

Students in Liberal Studies (LS) receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for a variety of experiences and careers. Liberal Studies introduces students to diverse subject matter. In addition to this breadth of new knowledge, students will develop communication skills and the ability to think critically, a combination in demand everywhere in today's job market. The Cascades Liberal Studies program encourages students to seek opportunities beyond their degree requirements to further facilitate their ability to think critically and communicate competently in contexts outside the university.

Cascades Liberal Studies Degree Requirements

1. The Liberal Studies (LS) program consists of a minimum of 45 credits organized around a theme articulated in a plan of study and an application essay. Students should develop their Plan of Study with their Cascades faculty advisor. This plan includes at least 27 upper-division credits and is developed from the course offerings of two or more departments within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). Students often include some sort of practical experience through an internship or project as part of their major.

• This plan of study and application essay must be approved by the OSU Head Advisor for Liberal Studies. Students should submit their plan of study for approval--to their Cascades academic advisor--no later than the end of their second term at OSU-Cascades.
  
• All courses included in plan of study must be offered by a department within the OSU CLA.

2. Students must satisfy the University Baccalaureate Core, College of Liberal Arts Core Requirements, and LS major requirements.

3. Student must earn a 2.3 or better cumulative GPA in LS courses.

4. At least one Writing Intensive Course (WIC), offered by one of the CLA departments selected for your major theme, must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Liberal Studies Advising

Website - OSU-Cascades Liberal Studies Advising

Detailed advising information can be accessed by visiting the OSU-Cascades Liberal Studies Advising page. New students, including transfer students, begin their advising process by registering to attend a required new student orientation session at which time they will meet with a professional, peer, or faculty advisor. Once students complete the new student orientation they will work with a professional or peer advisor in completing their BACC Core and College of Liberal Arts requirements. Students meet with faculty advisors regarding their Liberal Studies major requirements. Faculty advising is limited to Cascades Advising Week.

Liberal Studies and Teaching:

If you are interested in pursuing Education/Teaching within Liberal Studies, you can chose the Pre-ed Option in Liberal Studies.  Students will complete a revised version of the University Baccalaureate Core and the College of Liberal Arts Core Requirements. See the Pre-Education website for additional information.

Many students complete the general Liberal Studies major (without the Pre-Ed option) while simultaneously preparing for entrance into the MAT program.  Check out the Pre-education website for more information.