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Sample Plan of Study

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Each semester, students can expect to take a mixture of courses that fulfill different categories of degree requirements:

  • The major
  • Common Academic Program (CAP)
  • Liberal Studies for Bachelor of Arts programs

Some courses are designed to fulfill requirements in more than one category (e.g., CAP and the major; in addition many courses may fulfill more than one CAP component), which facilitates students’ ability to complete their degree requirements in a timely manner and also provides flexibility to explore interests outside of the major. This flexibility will often result in students’ ability to earn additional credentials, such as a double major or one or more minors.

This 2025-26 sample plan of study applies to the following B.A. programs:

  • Communication
  • Criminal Justice and Security Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • Global Languages and Cultures (German, Global French Studies, Spanish, or International Studies)
  • History
  • Human Rights Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Music (Jazz Studies Concentration or Music Studies Concentration)
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Race and Ethnic Studies
  • Religious Studies and Theology
  • Sociology
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology
  • Visual Arts
  • Women’s and Gender Studies

First Year

Fall SemesteR 

  • ASI 150 or ASI 160 (Breadth Requirement for all majors in the College of Arts and Sciences) (1 hour)
  • HUM 101: CAP Humanities Commons (3 hours)
  • CAP Natural Science Course with Lab (4 hours)
  • Language 101 Course (3 hours)
  • CMM 100: CAP Oral Communication (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Spring Semester

  • HUM 102: CAP Humanities Commons (3 hours)
  • CAP Arts Course (3 hours)
  • CAP Mathematics Course (3 hours)
  • Language 141 Course (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Second Year

Fall Semester

  • B.A. Liberal Studies Arts Course (3 hours)
  • CAP Social Science Course (3 hours)
  • ENG 200: CAP Second-Year Writing (3 hours)
  • Language 201 or Contextual Course (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Spring Semester 

  • B.A. Liberal Studies Natural Science or Math Course (3 hours)
  • CAP Advanced Religious Studies + CAP Faith Traditions Course (3 hours)
  • B.A. Liberal Studies Elective (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Third Year

Fall SemesteR 

  • B.A. Liberal Studies Interdisciplinary Studies Course (3 hours)
  • CAP Advanced Historical Studies + CAP Interdisciplinary Investigations Course (3 hours)
  • B.A. Liberal Studies Elective (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Spring Semester

  • B.A. Liberal Studies Humanities Course (3 hours)
  • CAP Advanced Philosophical Studies + CAP Practical Ethical Action Course (3 hours)
  • B.A. Liberal Studies Elective (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

  • CAP Major Capstone Course (hours vary by major)
  • B.A. Liberal Studies Social Science Course (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.

Spring Semester 

  • CAP Diversity and Social Justice Course (3 hours)
  • Additional courses (major, breadth requirements, or electives) to produce a full-time course load in the range of 12-18 credit hours.