Apr 17, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Liberal Studies, B.A. - 100% Online


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Admissions Requirements

Eligibility for admission is based on previous academic experience; an associate’s degree (or courses completed towards) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required. Students that have not completed college-level courses may apply. Students may apply for admission for any academic semester.

  1. Undergraduate application (paper or online, selecting “Liberal Studies” as your major)
  2. Official transcript from each college/university
  3. Re-Admissions Application (former students)
  4. 25 years old or older
  5. 2.0 cumulative GPA

Transfer and Credit Evaluation (Online Program only)

Bethune-Cookman University will accept up to 63 credits from regionally accredited two-year or four-year institutions. Transfer credit is granted for college-level work completed at another accredited institution if the course content is comparable to that offered at Bethune-Cookman University or appropriate for the degree program. Credit will not be granted for D or F courses.

Bachelors Degreee in Liberal Studies


Liberal Studies is an exciting and rigorously challenging interdisciplinary program that provides students with a unique opportunity to study and integrate concepts from the humanities and arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. This is an institution-wide degree leading to a Bachelor of Arts. Options include traditional, transfer (2+2), lifelong learner and 100% online. This major explores the methods, underlying assumptions, and forms of interaction within and between these disciplines. The capacity for critical thinking, comprehensive academic background, and communications skills that our majors develop provide them with the self-confidence that comes from being culturally sensitive, intellectually independent, creative, and well-rounded persons. The Liberal Studies major allows students to create an individualized curriculum composed of courses and experiences which meet their individual career needs. This approach is different from many traditional, discipline-based baccalaureate programs which are designed in part to prepare students for advanced work in a specific academic discipline. The bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies can also be an appropriate preparation for students planning to attend graduate school in certain disciplines and professions. While this degree is open to all qualified students, it has been designed principally to meet the higher education needs of the following two specific groups of students:

  1. Non-traditional students, who are already in the workplace, but need a baccalaureate degree to advance in their current career.
  2. Traditional students with clear academic or career goals who are open to and interested in ways of organizing an undergraduate experience which draws on the multiple resources.

The Liberal Studies major allows students the opportunity to bring together – or integrate – courses from a wide variety of academic areas or disciplines to support their individual career goals. Liberal Studies also integrates on-campus with community-based, experiential methods of learning. Workforce skills today require new competencies such as effective collaboration and teamwork which may not be available through classroom instruction alone; these skills must be learned, developed, and advanced in real work environments.

Student Advisement

All students pursuing the major in Liberal Studies or enrolled in the Professional Studies Program are advised by the School of Professional Studies All student MUST meet with an academic advisor to complete a Liberal Studies degree plan and formally declare the major.

Restriction on previously earned credits

There is a 10-year restriction on accepting previously earned credits. Courses/credits earned at Bethune-Cookman University and from other regionally accredited colleges and universities are evaluated by the appropriate department on an individual basis.

School Requirements


  • A total of at least 120 semester hours
  • Completion of B-CU General Education Requirements
  • Satisfactory completion of senior research paper/project (LS 499 )
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for graduation
  • Students are required to complete at least 25% of course work at Bethune-Cookman University

Major Requirements


  • Prior documentation of (63) semester hours from regionally accredited community colleges or regionally accredited four-year institutions.
  • Students must complete fifteen (15) semester hours in each of the following TWO degree granting academic schools:
  1. School of Arts & Humanities,
  2. School of Business,
  3. School of Education and
  4. School of Social Sciences.
  • At least six (6) semester hours must be in 300-400 level courses in each academic school (24 semester hours total).
  • Completion of a 400 level senior seminar course (LS 499 ).
  • Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or higher in major requirement courses.
  • Transfer students from a regionally accredited community college or regionally accredited four-year institution may transfer up to 63 credits.

Liberal Studies : Total Semester Hours=120


Freshman Year


Total: 16

Second Semester


Total: 14

Sophomore Year


First Semester


Total: 12

Second Semester


  • SM210 Sophmore Seminar: Leadership
  • Education (100-200 level)
  • Social Science (100-200 level)
  • Business (100-200 level)
  • Free Elective (200+ level)
Total: 16

Junior Year


First Semester


  • Arts & Humanities (300-400 level)
  • Education (300-400 level)
  • Social Science (300-400 level)
  • Business (300-400 level)
  • 300-400 Level Course
Total: 15

Second Semester


  • JR 310 - Junior Seminar: Entrepeneurship GE
  • Arts & Humanities (300-400 level)
  • Education (300-400 level)
  • Social Science (300-400 level)
  • Business (300-400 level)
  • 300-400 Level Course
Total: 16

Senior Year


First Semester


  • Free Elective (200+ level)
  • Free Elective (200+ level)
  • 300-400 Level Course
  • 300-400 Level Course
  • 300-400 Level Course
Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 12

Notes:


GE = General Education Courses

* Based on your placement testing scores, these courses may require prerequisites which may extend the number of semesters needed to complete degree requirements. These prerequisites do not count towards the degree for graduation.

**MARCHlNG BAND MEMBERS ONLY, MUST substitute PE Activity with MUB 110 - Marching Band .

**ROTC MEMBERS ONLY, substitute PE Activity with MY 104 - Basic Military Science  and MYL 104L - Basic Military Science Laboratory . (ROTC)

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