Liberal Studies - B.S.
Effective Fall 2020, Johnson & Wales University will complete its transition from a term calendar to a semester calendar. Starting with the 2020–21 catalog, all programs will represent course requirements in semester credit hours rather than quarter credit hours. Students who started on terms and will finish their degree requirements on semesters should consult with their assigned academic counselor in Student Academic Services or faculty advisor on semester transition academic planning.
Through the required and elective courses in the Liberal Studies bachelor's degree program, students acquire knowledge and experience in the arts, cultural studies, history, philosophy, behavioral sciences, math and science. With a required minor in either Business or Technology,* students are prepared to enter the workforce in business, nonprofit, government, and arts and cultural organizations. The degree also prepares them for further graduate studies. In addition, the program includes experiential learning through an internship, service learning and an optional study abroad.
Key differentiators of the JWU Liberal Studies degree program include a requirement that students complete a minor in Business or Technology, the inclusion of a heightened form of experiential learning, and in-depth advising in fulfillment of the mission. The required minor is intended to ensure that students have an introduction to a profession or set of professional skills prior to program completion.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Apply oral and written rhetorical strategies to communicate complex arguments.
- Apply appropriate disciplinary criteria to examine complex issues, analyze arguments, conduct credible research, solve problems, make ethical decisions and create original ideas and/or approaches.
- Synthesize and apply knowledge from multiple perspectives to evaluate complex issues and address real-world problems.
-
Critically examine and interpret the complexities of human culture, expression and/or behavior using the theories and methods of various disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
| * | The Technology (Project Management) minor is offered only at the Providence Campus. |
Liberal Studies
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| ART, HIST, LIT, PHIL, REL | One course 2000 level or higher | 4.5 |
| BIO^, CHM±, PHY° or SCI | One course 1000 level or higher | 4.5 |
| ECON, PSCI, PSYC, SOC | One course 2000 level or higher | 4.5 |
| Foreign Language | 4.5 credits as determined by language placement | 4.5 |
| LIBS4900 | Liberal Studies Capstone: The Great Conversation | 4.5 |
| Major Focus | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 22.5 | |
| Arts & Culture | ||
ART, HIST, LIT, PHIL, REL, SOC: One course 2000 level or higher | ||
ART, HIST, LIT, PHIL, REL, SOC: Four courses 3000 level or higher | ||
| Or | ||
| Science & Society | ||
MATH: One course 1000 level or higher | ||
BIO^, CHM±, ECON, PHY°, PSCI, PSYC, SCI, SOC: Four courses 3000 level or higher | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 13.5 | |
Option 1 | ASCI4799, College of Arts & Sciences Internship * | |
Option 2 | Study Abroad Program | |
Option 3 | Three Levels of Language Studies | |
Option 4 | Three courses from the course offerings in the minor, Professional Communication ** | |
| Required Minor | 22.5 | |
| General Business | ||
Choose five of the following: | ||
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Finance | ||
| Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | ||
| The Legal Environment of Business I | ||
| Contemporary Business Management I | ||
| Contemporary Business Management II | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| Or | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Introduction to Project Management | ||
| Advanced Project Management | ||
Choose three of the following: | ||
| Problem Solving and Programming Concepts | ||
| Fundamentals of Visual Basic | ||
| Digital Technology for the Creative Industries | ||
| Access Database Design for Business Solutions | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| Arts & Sciences Electives | 13.5 credits with an EASC attribute selected from offerings within the College of Arts & Sciences. | 13.5 |
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 13.5 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Advanced Composition and Communication | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 9 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 9 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM‡, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 9 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Science | 4.5 | |
SCI1010 Environmental Science | ||
| Social Sciences | 9 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ANTH°°, ECON, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 9 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute, at least one at 3000 level or higher. | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 22.5 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university. | 22.5 | |
| Total Credits | 181.0 | |
| * | Students may schedule a 4.5-13.5 credit internship. If the internship is less than 13.5 credits, additional Arts & Sciences elective credits are required to meet the 13.5 credit requirement. |
| ** | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
Visit Courses by Subject Code for a listing of all campus courses.
‡HUM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
^BIO courses are not offered in North Miami, Charlotte or Online.
¶CAD courses are only offered in Providence.
±CHM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
°PHY courses are not offered in Charlotte.
°°ANTH courses are not offered in North Miami or Charlotte.
# In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), Internship, Minor or Study Abroad. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact an adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills will be assessed at the completion of ENG1021 Advanced Composition and Communication. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Advanced Composition and Communication or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, Arts & Sciences, and elective credit at many price points for students during the academic year and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester. Financial aid is applicable and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications.