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GUIDANCE ON LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

 

This guidance is intended to assist institutions of higher education in New York State in meeting the requirements of the Rules of the Board of Regents, Section 3.47 (c), Requirements for Earned Degrees, Undergraduate degrees:

 

“Undergraduate degrees shall be distinguished, as follows, by the minimum amount of liberal arts content required for each degree.  The required liberal arts core shall not be directed toward specific occupational or professional objectives.”

 

Degree

Minimum Proportion

     of Content

Minimum Number

      of Credits

 

 

 

Associate in Arts (AA)

3/4

45

Associate in Science (AS)

1/2

30

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

1/3

20

 

 

 

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

3/4

90

Bachelor of Science (BS)

1/2

60

 

 

 

All other undergraduate baccalaureate degrees (BBA, BE, BFA, BPS, BTech, etc.)

1/4

30

 

 

The liberal arts and sciences comprise the disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. 

 

A.  Examples of course types that are generally considered within the liberal arts and sciences:

 

1. Humanities:

 

English—composition, creative writing, history of language, journalism, linguistics, literature, literature in translation, playwriting

 

Fine arts—art appreciation, history or theory

 

Foreign languages—composition, conversation, grammar, history of the language, literature of the language, reading, translation studies

 

Music—music appreciation, history or theory

 

Philosophy—comparative philosophy, history of philosophy, logic, schools of philosophy

 

Religion—comparative religion, history of religion

Theater—dramatic interpretation, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, history of drama, playwriting

 

2. Natural sciences and mathematics:

Natural sciences—anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics, zoology

Mathematics—calculus, mathematical theory, statistics

 

Computer Science—broad survey/theory courses

 

3. Social sciences:

Anthropology, cultural studies, economics, geography, government, history, political science, psychology, sociology

 

Criminal justice—introductory and broad survey courses

 

Communications—interpersonal communication, mass communication, public speaking, speech and rhetoric

 

B.  Examples of course types that are generally not considered within the liberal arts and sciences:

 

  • Agriculture
  • Business—administration, finance, human resources, management, marketing, production
  • Computer applications (e.g., word processing, database, spreadsheet), programming (e.g., specific languages) 
  • Health and physical education 
  • Home economics 
  • Education and teaching methods 
  • Library science 
  • Music—studio, performance, practice courses—voice, instrument, direction, conducting 
  • Office technologies and practice 
  • Performing and related arts—acting, costume design, dance, direction, lighting, production, scene construction, sound production 
  • Specialized professional courses in such fields as accounting, architecture, dental hygiene, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine 
  • Studio art—drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture 
  • Technology/technician fields—construction, data processing, electrical, electronics, graphic arts, mechanical, medical, refrigeration repair 
  • Television and radio production 
  • Theology—pastoral counseling, ministry

 

 

 

Revised 2/11/2009

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