The interdisciplinary liberal studies program consists of 28 credit hours in liberal studies. 30 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.
All courses are 3 credits unless noted.
Clarkson Common Experience
The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Core Requirements
Students are required to complete the following courses:
Humanities and Social Sciences
- HSS120 Introducing the Liberal Arts (1 credit)
- HSS480 Major Research Seminar
Professional Experience
Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
HSS480 Major Research Seminar
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Core Electives
Students must complete eight courses total from the following subject areas:*
- Literature (LIT) 3-credit courses
- and/or Film (FILM) 3-credit courses
- and/or Philosophy (PHIL) 3-credit courses
- and/or History (HIST) 3-credit courses
- and/or Political Science (POL) 3-credit courses
- and/or Anthropology (ANTH) 3-credit courses
- and/or Sociology (SOC) 3-credit courses
- and/or Social Sciences (SS) 3-credit courses
*Students should work with their academic advisors to find the courses that best fit their interests.
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Electives
Pre-Professional External Field Electives
Students must complete five courses in a pre-professional external field, such as business, communications and media, pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-physical therapy, pre-veterinary, etc. This pre-professional concentration provides students with opportunities to increase career choices while exploring a wide variety of interests through their major.
Knowledge Area/University Course Electives
Students will have at least 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.
Free Electives
Students will have approximately 30 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.