Sample TESU BA Liberal Studies Degree Plan

=Generic BALS Degree Plan= This is a generic degree plan that applies to Thomas Edison State University for a BALS (Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies) as of May 2020. Please make sure that the suggestions are still valid before beginning to follow this plan.

General Education Requirements
See the GE Requirements Roadmap for suggestions.

Part A. Upper Level
15 credits required. Two or more different areas must be included within concentration to provide breadth of knowledge in the Liberal Studies Area.

Important: Not every UL credit will apply to every Liberal Studies degree. Please verify with an academic advisor before attempting any course. These are only examples of possible courses to take. There are many others available from self-study options such as BYU, IS of Idaho, University of Arkansas, etc. or from local community colleges.

Part B. Liberal Studies
24 credits required; maximum of 6 credits can be 100-level.

Liberal Studies - Criminal Justice Concentration
Not really recommended. A criminal justice degree from UMPI should be both faster and easier. These courses are also not guaranteed to work for this concentration.

Liberal Studies - Humanities Concentration
30 credits in liberal studies, including 18 credits of Humanities (these are courses that fit under the Humanities section of the "Knowledge of Human Cultures" category). This includes art, communications, English, ethics, humanities, literature, music, philosophy, religion, foreign language.

15 Humanities credits must be UL. 6 credits in the AOS are allowed to be 100 level.

Liberal Studies - Natural Sciences & Mathematics Concentration
30 credits in liberal studies, including 18 credits of Natural Sciences & Math (these are courses that fit under the "Understanding the Natural and Physical World" category). This includes forensic science, biology, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, earth science, fitness, biomedical ethics, physics, physiological psychology.

15 NS&M credits must be UL. 6 credits in the AOS are allowed to be 100 level.

Liberal Studies - Psychology Concentration
If you are able to take the Study.com/UExcel combo for Social Psychology instead of the TESU class then you will be missing 3 UL credits. Check the Psychology degree plan page for other UL credit suggestions.

Liberal Studies - Social Sciences Concentration
30 credits in liberal studies, including 18 credits of Social Sciences (these are courses that fit under the Social Sciences section of the "Knowledge of Human Cultures" category). This includes anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, organizational behavior, politics, psychology, and sociology.

15 Social Science credits must be UL. 6 credits in the AOS are allowed to be 100 level.

Liberal Arts Capstone
Must be taken at TESU. There is an alternative 6-credit capstone available that provides hands-on experience.

Electives
27 credits required.

See the GE Requirements Roadmap for suggestions.