The Liberal Studies program is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences General Education requirements, Areas of Concentration and courses specifically required for the Liberal Studies majors.

To design a program, a student must choose three to five areas of concentration to combine in a unified and inter-related course of study. "Areas of Concentration" are College of Arts and Sciences departments and a student may choose one area outside the College of Arts and Sciences to incorporate into the degree program. One of the areas of concentration must be met by fulfilling a College of Arts and Sciences approved minor. No more than 24 semester hours of course work taken outside the College of Arts and Sciences may be accepted towards the Liberal Studies Degree.

All programs must meet the General Education and minimum hours (total hours, 50+ hours at the 300, 400, or 500 level) requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Some courses may be "cross-counted" within the General Education requirements and Areas of Concentration.

The Liberal Studies Major - steps in the Proposal and Admission Process
** includes Pre-Mat, Elementary and Middle School Liberal Studies Students

1. Review the Liberal Studies website to determine if Liberal Studies is the right major for you. 

2. E-mail a short memo to Dr. Hale, director of Liberal Studies (preliminary approval) - jrhale@louisville.edu
In this memo, you should verify the completion of 45 college-credit hours and a cumulative gpa of 2.75. Also, indicate your:

• intended goal/career ( what you might already be doing or pursuing)
• proposal "title" of your  self-designed major
• areas or "blocks" of study you want to put into your curriculum

Dr. Hale or the Liberal Studies advisor will notify you of preliminary approval.  Remember that your e-mail from Dr. Hale only provides preliminary approval to receive advising as a candidate for Liberal Studies.

3. Begin the rough draft of your proposal's narrative.

4. Meet with the Liberal Studies advisor (maggie.noffke@louisville.edu) to review your draft and complete your curriculum plan.

5. Finalize proposal and schedule meeting with Dr. Hale.

Your formal proposal will represent a comprehensive statement of your curriculum goal, proposed curriculum, and your reasons for seeking a Liberal Studies major. The proposal must cover, in detail, your career goal or intellectual interest: how you came to be interesed in this goal; qualities you feel are necessary for success in this field; the 3-5 academic and interrelated concentrations you have chosen to support your goal; necessity of graduate or professional school, if applicable, to reach this goal; how or where you envision your work in this field (environment, job market, career ladder, etc); and any additional information you feel is relevant.

After completing your course-by-course curriculum plan and your formal proposal, you will present them to Dr. Hale. If your proposal is accepted, this meeting will mark your admisson as an approved Liberal Studies major.

When you are ready to schedule this meeting, please call Dr. Hale at 852-2248.