The Liberal Studies major provides students a flexible, customized alternative to existing programs of study while fostering academic excellence in interdisciplinary learning. Liberal Studies majors may earn either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science degree.

As an individualized program, the Liberal Studies major prepares students for life after college through a broad-based liberal arts education and the fulfillment of these overarching learning outcomes: interdisciplinary learning, career development, entrepreneurship and self-advocacy, and engaged citizenship.

The Liberal Studies major serves incoming first-year students who have a clear sense of their academic goals and want to craft their own major of study, transfer students who want to maximize the use of previously earned credits by designing their own major, students who have not selected a major of study or who decide not to complete their initial intended major, and adult students who may already be working in their desired field but seek a degree completion program.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the Liberal Studies major must meet the standard admissions criteria for Worcester State University. Once admitted, incoming first-year and transfer students must meet with an academic advisor in the Academic Success Center to discuss a program of study. These students will then take LS-190, during which they will submit a written plan of study to the Chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department with a rationale for the selection of the areas of study. Once approved, this plan of study is reflected in the student's Degree Audit.

Current Worcester State students who want to change from undeclared status or from other majors must also meet with an academic advisor in the Academic Success Center before changing majors. Those who want to pursue a Liberal Studies major will be required to enroll in LS-190. During this course, they will submit a written program of study to the director with a rationale for the selection of the areas of study.

This development of a program of study and review process allows for important conversations about a student’s academic and professional goals, the best use of transfer credits, and the selection of the two primary areas of study.

Standards for Minimum Academic Performance in the Liberal Studies major

Liberal Studies majors must meet the requirements for graduation as specified in the Undergraduate Catalog. These include the completion of a minimum of 120 credits with a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a minimum 2.0 grade point average in each of the two areas of study.

Minors Available at Worcester State University

• Addictions Counseling Minor

• African and African Diaspora Studies Minor

• Art Minor

• Asian Studies Minor

• Astronomy Minor

• Business Administration Minor

• Cellular and Molecular Biology Minor

• Chemistry Minor

• Civic Engagement Minor

• Communication Minor

• Communication Education Minor

• Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor

• Composition and Music Technology Minor

• Computer Science Minor

• Criminal Justice Minor

• Data Science Minor

• Disabilities Studies Minor

• Economics Minor

• Education Studies Minor

• English Minor

• Environmental Science Minor

• Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor

• Ethnic Studies Minor

• Financial Mathematics Minor

• Forensic Science Minor

• French Minor

• Geography Minor

• Geospatial Information Science Minor

• Global Studies Minor

• History Minor

• Human Development Minor

• Human Rights and Social Justice Minor

• Intergenerational Studies and Community Service Minor

• Journalism Minor

• Latin American and Latinx Studies Minor

• Literature Minor

• Mathematics Minor

• Middle East Studies Minor

• Middle School Education Minor

• Middle School Mathematics Minor

• Music Minor

• Narrative Studies of Health and Body Minor

• Normal and Disordered Speech, Language and Hearing Minor

• Philosophy Minor

• Physics Minor

• Political Science Minor

• Pre-Law Minor

• Psychobiology Minor

• Psychology Minor

• Public Health Minor

• Public History Minor

• Secondary Education Minor

• Social Work and Social Policy Minor

• Sociology Minor

• Spanish Minor

• Spanish Minor for Health Professionals

• Theatre Minor

• Urban Studies Minor

• Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

• Writing Minor