Liberal Arts

Advisor: Kate Sawaya
Office: 513 Allen Hall

The College of Arts and Sciences recognizes that students' interests may include more than one discipline and that some majors are not formally available at MSU. Students who prefer to specialize in more than one field of study may earn a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts (BALA). Through BALA, students can pursue a major that crosses two or more disciplines offered in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The BALA degree requires satisfactory completion of the following:

1. University General Education and College Core curriculum;
2. College of Arts & Sciences B.A. requirements;
3. Satisfactory completion of the BALA major core;
4. A total of 121 semester hours;
5. A 200-word minimum exit essay

The BALA major core consists of IDS 2111, GLA 4001, and a program of study consisting of at least 36 upper-division hours in approved emphasis areas.

Each BALA program of study must consist of a broad, but coherent pattern of courses in 2-4 disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences. These disciplines make up the emphasis areas within a student's program of study. Students may propose an individualized combination of emphasis areas, or they may select a preestablished concentration pathway that specifies the emphasis areas they must complete. 

Each emphasis area must comprise at least 9 hours of upper-division coursework in that discipline, and a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in each area of emphasis. 

Students seeking admission to the BALA major will be required to submit an application to be reviewed by the Liberal Arts committee. BALA applications must contain the following: completed BALA application form (see BALA advisor); student's proposed program of study; a 100-word entrance essay.

To ensure an orderly progression of work toward the degree, interested students should meet with the program’s advisor as early as possible.

Liberal Arts is not suitable for students who are uncertain about their choice of a major; these students should see the Undeclared listing in the Academic Affairs section.

Political Communication Concentration

The Political Communication Concentration combines coursework in Political Science and Communication and Media Studies. It prepares students for careers in campaigning, public address and public affairs, and any public-facing roles related to governmental agencies and policymaking. The Political Communication Concentration is particularly useful for students who want to pursue law school or professional careers in legislation, campaigning, lobbying, and community outreach.

General Education and College Requirements

English Composition
EN 1103	English Composition I	3
or EN 1104	Expanded English Composition I
EN 1113	English Composition II	3
or EN 1173	Accelerated Composition II
Foreign Language
Foreign Language I		3
Foreign Language II		3
Foreign Language III		3
Humanities
Literature - A&S core		3
History - A&S core		3
Philosophy - A&S core		3
Humanities Electives 1		9
Math
A&S core 2		3
Fine Arts
A&S core		3
Natural Sciences
Physical Science w/Lab - A&S core		3-4
Life Science w/Lab - A&S core		3-4
Natural Science Elective - A&S core		3-4
Social Sciences
A&S core 2		6
Social Sciences Electives 3		12
Major Core
IDS 2111	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	1
GLA 4001	Senior Project	1
Emphasis Area Courses 4		36
Oral Communication 3		3
CO 1003	Fundamentals of Public Speaking 5	3
or CO 1013	Introduction to Communication
Jr/Sr Writing
Consult advisor - may be specified in emphasis areas or concentrations		3
General Electives
Consult advisor 6		8-11
Total Hours		121

Note: Students must complete 31 upper-division hours in A&S in residence at MSU. 

¹

Humanities electives must be courses in A&S and must cover two disciplines.

²

Concentrations may require specific courses; see concentration and consult advisor.

³

Social Science electives must be courses in A&S. The total 18 hours in Social Science must cover four disciplines; maximum of 6 hours per discipline; only one EC and one CO from A&S core list allowed

⁴

Concentrations require specific courses; see concentration and consult advisor. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in each area of emphasis.

⁵

Concentration may require CO 1003; consult advisor.

⁶

Concentrations may require other prerequisite coursework. Students should consult advisor and plan to take additional prerequisite courses as general electives.

Political Communication Concentration

Mathematics
MA /ST 2113	Introduction to Statistics
Social Science
PS 1113	American Government
CO 1223	Introduction to Communication Theory
Oral Communication
CO 1003	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Jr/Sr Writing
PS 4464	Political Analysis
Emphasis Area - Communication
Choose 18 hours:
CO 3803	Principles of Public Relations
CO 3813	Public Relations Case Problems
CO 3873	Public Relations Multimedia
CO 3833	Interviewing in Communication
CO 4043	Communication and Leadership
CO 4203	Nonverbal Communication
CO 4213	Political Communication
CO 4253	Elements of Persuasion
CO 4273	Intercultural Communication
CO 4313	Mass Media Law
Emphasis Area - Political Science
Choose 18 hours:
PS 3013	Political Leadership
PS 3033	Gender and Politics
PS 3063	Constitutional Powers
PS 3073	Civil Liberties
PS 3183	Law and Politics
PS 4173	Legislative Process
PS 4283	Public Opinion
PS 4293	Political Behavior
PS 4703	Principles of Public Administration

Courses