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LIBERAL STUDIES

Liberal Studies (B.A.)
Elementary Education (PK-6) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Liberal Studies)
Gender and Society (Minor)


Liberal Studies (B.A.)

The Liberal Studies program is especially desirable for students who have more than one specialized interest. It provides a broad general education and the opportunity to gain knowledge in two major fields, designated as concentrations. Concentration options are Biology/Physical Sciences, Business and related fields, Communication, English, Fine and Applied Arts, Gender and Society, Graphic Design, History, Humanities, Information Technology, Mathematics, Philosophy/Religious Studies/Theology, Politics, and Psychology/Sociology/Criminal Justice.

This program is especially appropriate for nontraditional students with full-time work experience and previously earned college credits, who desire an efficient way to use these credits to complete a bachelor’s degree. This program also offers an opportunity to earn licensure for those students who are interested in teaching at the elementary level (grades PK-6).

The Liberal Studies program consists of three components: the Liberal Arts Core, the two concentrations, and the Liberal Studies Triad (LS 300, LS 400, and LS 420). The requirements differ for those enrolled in the Elementary Education (PK-6) teaching licensure program.

Upon completion of the program, a student is expected to have achieved the following:

The student must complete two concentrations for a total of 42 credits of coursework in these fields. A minimum of 15 credits is required in each field; a minimum of 6 credits in each field must be in courses numbered 300 or above. The student must complete a combined total of 18 credits in courses numbered 300 or above and a total of 42 credits in the two concentrations combined.

Many students who intend to continue in Marymount’s Master of Education program often choose Liberal Studies for their undergraduate major. They are advised to select concentrations from Biology/Physical Sciences, English, Fine and Applied Arts, History, Mathematics, Politics, or Psychology. Such students are permitted at the discretion of the program advisor to substitute undergraduate courses in Education for LS 400 Liberal Studies Internship, since these students must complete a student-teaching experience at the graduate level.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • EN 101 Composition I*
    ECO/POL/PSY/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
    Health elective*
    Mathematics elective*
    Elective
    SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • EN 102 Composition II*
    Science elective*
    Humanities (History) elective*
    Humanities elective*
    Humanities (Religious Studies/Theology) elective*

Year Two

Fall

  • Two (2) first Concentration electives§ **
    Second Concentration elective§ **
    Social Sciences elective*
    Humanities (English Literature) elective*

Spring

  • First Concentration
    elective§ **
    Two (2) second Concentration
    electives§ **
    Social Sciences elective*
    Humanities (Philosophy) elective*

Year Three

Fall

  • LS 300 Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development§
    Two (2) first Concentration electives§ **
    Humanities elective*
    Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

Spring

  • Two (2) first Concentration 300/400-level electives§ **
    Two (2) second Concentration 300/400-level electives§ **
    Writing elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • LS 400 Liberal Studies Internship§
    Humanities elective*
    Two (2) second Concentration 300/400-level electives§ **

Spring

  • LS 420 Senior Seminar§
    Four (4) electives*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Concentration electives are chosen from the options noted in the introduction of this major. Students will choose two different Concentrations.

Gender and Society Concentration

Concentration Requirements

15-21 credits

Humanities Concentration

Concentration Requirements

15-21 credits


Elementary Education (PK-6) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Liberal Studies)

This program allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies and also be licensed to teach grades PK-6. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See Education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses specified in the degree plan to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. See an Education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further information.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • EN 101 Composition I*
    POL/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
    MA 121 Introduction to Problem Solving*
    HPR 100 Concepts of Lifetime Fitness*
    Communication elective§
    SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • EN 102 Composition II*
    HI 203 European History, HI 210 History of the U.S. to 1877, or HI 211 History of the U.S. since 1877§ *
    MA 127 Geometry§
    PSY 210 Human Growth and Development*
    BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science*

Year Two

Fall

  • EN 201-206 English literature course§
    ECO 199 Principles of Macroeconomics*
    ED 245E Exploring Teaching**
    MA 124 History of Elementary Mathematics§
    Science (Biology) elective§

Spring

  • HI 203 European History, HI 210 History of the U.S. to 1877, or HI 211 History of the U.S. since 1877§ *
    One (1) from the following: FA 121-122 Music History I or II, FA 201-202 History of Art I or II§
    GEO 201 Introduction to Geography§
    ED 301 Foundation of Literacy Development**
    EN 211 Principles of Language§

Year Three

Fall

  • ED 310 Reading and the Language Arts (Grades PK-2) **
    ED 410 Teaching History and Social Studies§ **
    PSC 103 Introduction to the Physical Sciences§
    History or English Literature 300-level elective§
    HI 203 European History, HI 210 History of the U.S. to 1877, or HI 211 History of the U.S. since 1877§ *

Spring

  • EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice*
    ED 400 Teaching Mathematics and Science**
    EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence*
    PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities*
    Humanities (History or English Literature) 300-level elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • ED 311 Reading and the Language Arts (Grades 3-6) **
    History or English Literature 300+-level elective§
    Humanities (Philosophy) elective*
    LS 420 Senior Seminar§
    POL 204 American Government§

Spring

  • ED 460 Student Teaching§ **
    ED 320 Assessing and Guiding Students in Early Childhood Settings§ **
    Humanities (Theology/Religious Studies) elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**All Education courses must be taken in concentration noted.


Gender and Society (Minor)

Minor Requirements