This program is available at the following locations:

• Corvallis
• Ecampus
• OSU-Cascades

A BA or BS degree in Liberal Studies is available for students whose academic and career interests suggest greater curricular breadth and flexibility than is available in other major programs.

The Liberal Studies mission is to facilitate the development and implementation of an interdisciplinary, thematically-based learning program selected by the student. Liberal Studies themes are as varied as your imagination. Some themes, such as "Cultural Studies through Literature" draw on two or three liberal arts disciplines to provide students with a broad-based understanding of how people interact and maintain cultural structures and social institutions. Other themes, such as "event coordination" prepare students for a particular type of work in specific industries. Whether you are looking to broaden your theoretical understanding, to gain career-related skills, or both, narrowing down your focus is the first place to start.

Major Code: 920

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Acquire competency and knowledge in multiple fields, demonstrating interdisciplinary connections between two or more liberal arts areas.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving using evidence-based reasoning to make informed decisions.
• Relate pluralism and cultural legacies to individual experiences, with an appreciation for cultural, historical and social contexts.
• Engage in active collaboration with advisors, faculty, and fellow students to develop an appreciation for differing values and perspectives.
• Articulate and apply written communication skills to a variety of purposes and formats, including students’ individual liberal studies plan, their educational experience, and learned values.
• Prepare for global citizenship by applying and cultivating multiple aspects of self-awareness, social responsibility, and life-long learning.

Candidates for the Liberal Studies major must complete the following:

• Oregon State University Core Education requirements
• College of Liberal Arts Core requirements
• A program consisting of 45 or more credits that are thematic in nature and include at least 27 upper-division credits developed from the course offerings of two or more departments within the College of Liberal Arts. The plan of study and statement of justification must be approved in advance by the head advisor or designee.
• At least one Writing Intensive Course (WIC) with a grade of C or better.
• Maintain a 2.0 or better university GPA.
• Maintain a 2.3 or better major GPA.
• Total 180 credits for graduation.

The typical program is designed to meet the needs and interests of the particular student and is unique in content. In some cases, a pre-structured program may provide a suitable match.

*

Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025

+

Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond

^

Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course

¹

The Core Education categories Beyond OSU, DPOA and WIC are included in the 45 thematic credits required for the major

Major Code: 920