Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies Coordinator: Elizabeth Norris, Assistant Professor

Primary Area Advisors:
Computer Science - James Bozeman, Professor
English - Richard Moye, Professor
Fine and Performing Arts - Elizabeth Norris, Assistant Professor
Mathematics - James Bozeman, Professor
Meteorology - Nolan Atkins, Associate Professor
Natural Science - Alison Lathrop, Associate Professor
Philosophy - David Johnston, Assistant Professor
Psychology - Margaret Sherrer, Assistant Professor
Social Science - Paul Searls, Assistant Professor

Program Mission Statement

This degree program recognizes the creative possibilities of the traditional liberal arts and sciences. Its purpose is to assist a student of vision to arrange a course of study designed to illuminate a theme or concept. In this way, a student may self-design a major that fits the student’s future career goals.

The program consists of a total of 50 - 51 credits with 32 - 33 credits from two areas in the liberal arts and sciences and 18 credit-hours of selected electives from either the primary or secondary areas or the General Education courses. There must be a minimum of 20-21 credits within the Liberal Studies major at the 3000/4000 level.

Program Goals

to provide students the opportunity to design a broadbased program that focuses on more than one of the traditional Liberal Arts and Sciences;
to serve Education students by providing a Liberal Arts and Sciences background.

In the Primary and Secondary Areas, courses must show a logical developmental sequence. The Primary and Secondary areas must be chosen from two different disciplines. Some departments have established guidelines for fulfilling these requirements, subject to general regulations above. These sequences are listed in this section.

Program Assessment

Since the Liberal Studies major is shared by many different departments, assessment will occur within the student’s Primary area. In addition, students will be expected to successfully complete all of the Vermont State College Graduation Standards. These standards will be embedded in selected courses within the student’s Primary area. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to complete these standards.

General Guidelines

The Primary Area must consist of 20 - 21 credits total, with at least 8 credits at the 3000 - 4000 level.
The Secondary Area must consist of 12 credits total, with at least 6 credits at the 3000 - 4000 level.
The Elective Area must consist of 18 credits total, with at least 6 credits at the 3000 - 4000 level.
Some departments have specific course requirements. Check departmental guidelines for more information.

Implementation Guidelines

The student must make contact with the Liberal Studies Coordinator to choose a Primary and a Secondary area of study, and to begin the advising process.
The student must seek an advisor in the student’s Primary area of study who will assist in structuring the Liberal Studies plan.
The Liberal Studies plan will be approved by the Liberal Studies Coordinator and the student’s Primary area advisor and filed with the Registrar’s Office between the second and the fourth semester of residence at Lyndon.
A student may change or alter the Liberal Studies plan once it has been submitted to the Registrar. Alterations to the Liberal Studies plan may be proposed by the student and must be approved by the Liberal Studies Coordinator and the student’s Primary area advisor. The altered plan of study is then filed with the Registrar’s Office.

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