Liberal Arts: B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Liberal Arts at SUNY Empire is a 124-credit program perfect for students who are relentlessly inquisitive about the world, for students who thrive on understanding how things work, and for leaders who want to learn from the great thinkers, artists, and scientists of the past in order to create the future worthy of this greatness.
While the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Liberal Arts does not have a set of specific required courses, it does require students to take courses in five different subject areas, as well as taking 16 advanced level credits in one of 13 designated subject areas. Students must also take 8 additional advanced level credits in any course designated as Liberal Arts and Sciences in the college course catalog. Details about the degree requirements can be found on the “Program Details” tab. Students will work with a faculty mentor to develop a degree plan that matches their goals and meets all program requirements. Students should speak with their mentor to see if any credit earned through individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) or Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) might fulfill these course requirements. Courses are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach.
The Liberal Arts program is a flexible choice. It can be:
- A ”completion” degree. Are you a student with most of your coursework already completed and just want to get your degree? SUNY Empire’s student-friendly transfer policies and expertise with evaluating prior learning make the Liberal Arts degree an attractive option for students who are returning to school after taking a break.
- An issue-driven program. Are there issues you really care about? Do you want to know how your education can make a difference? Choose courses, residencies, and faculty closely connected to issues that are important to you.
- A “Great Books” program. Do you want to understand the world around you in a deeper way? Work with your faculty mentor to identify classics in philosophy, history, cultural studies, art, literature, and politics from around the globe.
- An employment readiness program. Are you interested in acquiring the skills employers are looking for? A solid liberal arts education at SUNY Empire provides students with the skills needed to become lifelong learners and adapt with the times or as you change careers.
A. Students must demonstrate learning in social responsibility.
Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 2020 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| POLI 3080 | Modern Political Theory | 4 |
| ENSC 2000 | Principles of Environmental Sustainability | 4 |
Other SUNY Empire courses, transfer courses, or prior learning may be applied towards this requirement. Students wishing to use credits other than those from these courses are advised to consult with their academic mentors and to provide in their program portfolio rationale essay an explanation of how this degree requirement is being met.
B. Students must demonstrate learning in communication.
Any course carrying a Basic Communication SUNY General Education designation can be used to satisfy this requirement.
C. Students must demonstrate learning in critical thinking and problem solving.
Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CUST 2030 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 2 |
| PHIL 2005 | Introduction to Philosophy | 4 |
Other SUNY Empire courses, transfer courses, or prior learning may be applied towards this requirement. Students wishing to use credits other than those from these courses are advised to consult with their academic mentors and to provide in their program portfolio rationale essay an explanation of how this degree requirement is being met.
D. Students must demonstrate learning in quantitative literacy.
Any course carrying a Mathematics SUNY General Education designation can be used to satisfy this requirement.
E. Students must demonstrate learning in information and digital literacy.
Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDST 1122 | Introduction to Digital Literacy | 4 |
Other SUNY Empire courses, transfer courses, or prior learning may be applied towards this requirement. Students wishing to use credits other than those from these courses are advised to consult with their academic mentors and to provide in their program portfolio rationale essay an explanation of how this degree requirement is being met.
F. Students must take a minimum of 16 advanced level credits in one of the following subject areas:
ANTH - Anthropology
ARTS - Arts
BIOL - Biology
COMM - Communications
CUST - Cultural Studies
DIGA - Digital Arts
LITR - Literature
PHIL - Philosophy
POLI - Political Science
SOCI - Sociology
PSYC - Psychology
HIST - Historical Studies
SOSC - Social Science
G. minimum of 8 additional advanced level credits designated as Liberal Arts and Sciences
In addition to the credits in a single subject area outlined in F (above), students must take a minimum of 8 additional advanced level credits in any courses designated as Liberal Arts and Sciences courses in the college catalog.
The B.A. program in Liberal Arts offers students a solid grounding in core learning while giving students the flexibility to pursue a wide range of interests.
Students completing a B.A. in Liberal Arts will be able to demonstrate learning in the following areas:
- Social Responsibility: Engage in ethical reasoning and reflect on issues such as democratic citizenship, diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability, both locally and globally.
- Communication: Express and receive ideas effectively, in multiple contexts and through multiple strategies.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Evaluate, analyze, synthesize and critique key concepts and experiences and apply diverse perspectives to find creative solutions to problems concerning human behavior, society and the natural world.
- Quantitative Literacy: Read, interpret, use and present quantitative information effectively.
- Information and Digital Media Literacy: Critically assess, evaluate, understand, create and share information using a range of collaborative technologies to advance learning, as well as personal and professional development.