Liberal Studies, A.B.

Mission

The Applied Baccalaureate (AB) in Liberal Studies is a degree completion program for students who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree or other career and technical education (CTE) Associate’s degree. Students complete their 4-year degree by achieving Western Oregon University’s learning outcomes for general education through an innovative curriculum comprised primarily of 300- and 400-level course work that includes multidisciplinary foundations, scientific approaches, humanistic approaches, and creative approaches. The program culminates with an integrative capstone experience. Within the program, students have flexibility to pursue topics of special interest to them across disciplinary fields.

Learning Outcomes

Practice different and varied forms of knowledge, inquiry, and expression that frame academic and applied learning.
Articulate the challenges, responsibilities and privileges of belonging in a complex, diverse, interconnected world.
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information and develop evidence-based conclusions.
Integrate perspectives and strategies across disciplines to answer questions and solve problems.
Demonstrate reflection and self-assessment in completing the self-defined, multidisciplinary program of study that achieves your learning goals.

Core Courses

LS 300 Seminar on Multidisciplinary Learning Credits: 2
LS 499 Capstone Credits: 4
WR 121 College Writing I Credits: 4
WR 122 College Writing II Credits: 4

Choose One

MTH 105 Math in Society Credits: 4
MTH 110 Applied College Mathematics Credits: 4
MTH 111 College Algebra Credits: 4

Scientific Approaches Credits: 15-16

Scientific Approaches courses, pre-approved by the program, including at least 4 credits of laboratory science.

Humanistic Approaches Credits: 15-16

Humanistic Approaches courses, pre-approved by the program.

Creative Approaches Credits: 12

Creative Approaches courses, pre-approved by the program.

Applied Approaches Credits: 15-16

Applied Approaches, drawn from pre-approved upper division offerings in scientific, humanistic and artistic approaches or from applied fields.

Elective Credits: 12-15

Students will work closely with advisors to identify pre-approved courses that satisfy breadth requirements and to plan an academic program that includes sufficient upper division course work to enable the student to complete 62 upper division credits within the 90-credit program.

Total Credits: 90

Note

Scientific approaches courses are drawn from pre-approved courses in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics. Courses from other disciplines that take a scientific approach may also be pre-approved for inclusion in this area.

Humanistic approaches courses are drawn from pre-approved courses in Literature, Linguistics, History, Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Communication Studies, Cultural Geography, Sociology, Languages, Interpreting, and Art History. Courses from other disciplines that take a humanistic approach may also be pre-approved for inclusion in this area.

Creative approaches courses are drawn from pre-approved courses in Art, Theatre, Dance, Music, Creative Writing, Visual Communication Design, Visual Anthropology and New Media Studies. Courses from other disciplines that take a creative approach may also be pre-approved for inclusion in this area.

Applied approaches courses are from pre-approved upper division offerings in scientific, humanistic and artistic approaches (see above) or other applied fields.