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Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

371 Varner Hall
Varner Hall Room 217
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
(248) 370-2154

Advising
Dr. Joe Shively
Interim Director, BALS Program
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
shively@oakland.edu

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

371 Varner Hall
Varner Hall Room 217
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
(248) 370-2154

Advising
Dr. Joe Shively
Interim Director, BALS Program
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
shively@oakland.edu

Program Requirements

Interdisciplinary Core

The Liberal Studies major is unique in that the courses making up the core content of the major are selected by the student.

How is this accomplished? In one of two ways:

  1. Students choose an interdisciplinary concentration from the College of Arts and Sciences and take the courses required for that concentration as the core content of their Liberal Studies major. 
    1. For example, student interested in becoming a forensic scientist could choose to take the courses that are required for the criminal justice concentration as the core courses of their Liberal Studies major.
    2. A student interested in becoming a lawyer could take the courses required for the pre-law studies concentration as the core courses of their Liberal Studies major.
    3. Students choosing the interdisciplinary concentration as their Liberal Studies core must be sure the concentration they choose is: (a) offered in the College of Arts and Sciences and (b) requires at least 28 credit hours, of which 20 credits must be 300-level or above
  2. Students choose two minors within the College of Arts and Sciences and take the courses required for each of those minors as the core content of their Liberal Studies major.
    1. For example, a student interested in Art therapy could choose to take the courses that a required for the minor in psychology as well as the courses that are required for the minor in studio art as the core courses in their Liberal Studies major.
    2. A student interested in a career in advertising could choose to take courses that are required for the minor in graphic design as well as the courses that are required for the minor in advertising as the core courses in their Liberal Studies major.
    3. Students choosing the minor-minor option as their Liberal Studies core must be sure their that the minors chosen: (a) are from two intellectually distinct areas, (b) together the minors must have at least 20 credits at the 300-level or above, (c) each minor must require at least 8 credit hours at the 300-level, and (d) both minors must be in the College of Arts and Sciences (unless an exception request is approved).
Pre-Approved Minor - Minor Combinations

Several minor-minor combinations have already been approved by the Liberal Studies executive committee for use as the core content courses for the Liberal Studies major.  Minor-Minor combinations can be chosen for several interdisciplinary careers and professions for which Oakland University does not currently have majors or minors including: