The Rufus L. and Janice M. Wilson College of Liberal Arts

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission:

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts is to provide excellent instruction within our interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and in our graduate degree programs in leadership and administration. The College of Liberal Arts is the core of the university, providing the foundation that supports the general educational goals of each of the schools and colleges within the university as a whole. The Liberal Arts degree programs cultivate creative and critical thinking skills, confidence in communication skills, and the ability to access and analyze information and ideas in a multiculturally diverse and technologically sophisticated world. Our students are, therefore, prepared to enter the job market, to enter graduate and professional schools, and to serve as astute leaders in a wide array of professions within ever-changing local and global environments.

Vision:

The College of Liberal Arts will offer courses and programs that will prepare students to value the significance of continuous learning. Such preparation will allow our students to keep foremost the critical importance of serving our local and global communities through civic engagement in a socially responsible and morally sound manner.

Program Overview

The College of Liberal Arts provides students with the latest technologies and the most up to date creative, intellectual, and research experiences which prepare them to compete on a global level for career success and for success in rigorous graduate and professional schools. Guided by an outstanding faculty, students gain knowledge, values, and skills that encourage personal and professional growth.

The College of Liberal Arts also provides service and support courses for the requirements of the General Education Program in the fulfillment of English, African American History, Humanities, Languages, Religion and Philosophy, and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of Bethune-Cookman University as described in the Admission section of this catalog and then any listed requirements in the specific department. 

Education Outcomes

Program Objectives:

The College of Liberal Arts focuses on a student-centered learning environment. Within this setting, students and faculty can explore the many dimensions of the human experience as conveyed in artistic and musical expressions, in historical, legal, political, and sociological perspectives, and in various languages and forms of communications in both community and global environments.

The courses, programs, activities, and events within the College of Liberal Arts provide opportunities for students to enhance:

1. Critical thinking, communication, and research skills
2. Team-building and leadership skills
3. Creativity
4. Information literacy
5. Ethical and spiritual development
6. Social responsibility
7. Respect for diversity
8. Global citizenship

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Graduates will apply critical thinking skills to reflect, analyze, and evaluate information and experiences using an integration of disciplines’ theories, terminology, and paradigms as measured in exit exams, senior papers, projects, and/or portfolios at an acceptable level on a rubric.
2. Graduates will demonstrate practical knowledge and competency in interdisciplinary studies comprised of combinations of the following disciplines: Criminal Justice; Language Arts and Cultures; History; International Studies; Political Science; and Sociology as measured through exit exams, senior papers, projects and/or portfolios at an acceptable level on a rubric.
3. Graduates will communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in written and spoken English in order to write and orally present an academic paper or project using appropriate investigative and research strategies and use computer and audio-visual technology.
4. Graduates will articulate value-centered positions on global issues that evidence awareness of commonalities and differences across diverse cultures through papers/presentations at an acceptable level on a rubric.
5. Graduates will demonstrate civic engagement, productive teamwork, and personal responsibility as measured through field experiences at an acceptable level on a rubric.
6. Graduates will demonstrate a passion for lifelong learning and growth by entrance into a wide range of careers, graduate programs, or professional schools to be shown by job entries and graduate school admissions.

Graduation Requirements

The requirements and objectives, which are discussed in this section, apply to the College of Liberal Arts as a whole. Departmental requirements are given with the major area offerings.  Note: All students are encouraged to earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for all courses required to complete their program. However, for course credit toward graduation in a major area, students must earn at least a “C” grade. Before graduation, each student must pass an exit examination covering the major subject areas of their major and complete a senior level research paper. A minor shall consist of 18 Semester Hours, and the grade “C” (2.0) or better for all classes taken toward the minor must be earned. A student must complete a minimum of six credits of coursework exclusive to the minor

Computer Technology:

Students in the following majors are required to satisfy competency in computer technology, which can be met by enrolling in SS 150, SS 240 or CS 132 - Computer Applications:

• History, International Studies, Political Science, and Sociology.

Liberal Arts Professional Seminar:

The College of Liberal Arts majors are required to register for the Liberal Arts Professional Seminar of their department every semester. The college seminar meets once a month on the fourth Friday of every month that the university is in session. Department seminar meetings will convene every week on Fridays to provide students with the opportunity to become better acquainted with their chosen field. A letter grade is assigned for participation in the seminar, and the grade appears on every student’s transcript, even though no hour credit is earned.

• LA 180 - Liberal Arts Professional Seminar
  • Freshmen should register for this seminar.
• LA 280 - Liberal Arts Professional Seminar
  • Sophomores should register for this seminar.
• LA 380 - Liberal Arts Professional Seminar
  • Juniors should register for this seminar.
• LA 480 - Liberal Arts Professional Seminar
  • Seniors should register for this seminar.