Ramapo College students have long enjoyed the freedom of individualized "contract" majors.  The Liberal Studies major is the contract major for the School of American and International Studies.

The Ramapo College graduates awarded baccalaureates in Liberal Studies major will be thoughtful, well-educated individuals with understanding of and an appreciation for multiple ways of seeing the world.  The Liberal Arts encourages and foments reflection, critical thinking, emotional maturity, and the broadening of the mind through the contemplation of new possibilities.  The Liberal Studies major spans the great themes of human inquiry and critical expression in the humanities, in world languages, and in social studies.

A graduate in Liberal Studies shall:  (1) acquire significant awareness and understanding about the methodology of the Liberal Arts and their interconnectedness; (2) build foundational knowledge in the Liberal Arts (as per course of study); (3) gain hands-on experience applying knowledge of the Liberal Arts (as per course of study) for providing ways to answer real-life, interdisciplinary problems; (4) reflect upon and pose original analysis of problems within the Liberal Arts (as per course of study) in class discussions, written work, exams, group projects, portfolios, internships, or study abroad; and (5) appreciate, understand, and value the rich complexity and diversity of human life by studying the interrelationships of individuals to groups, cultures, heritages, stories, epistemologies, and/or languages.

A Liberal Studies major is a preparation for a free and fulfilled life in any area of specialization:  business, the arts, education, science, medicine, or law.  Liberal Studies majors gain this preparation through coursework, as well as through a significant experiential learning activity and an independent research project.

Liberal Studies majors may pursue a course of study that expands upon an existing American and International Studies minor or may pursue a course of study that is more individualized.  No matter what an individual student chooses as his/her particular course of study—e.g., Philosophy or Italian Studies or Folklore, the degree awarded will be a B.A. in Liberal Studies.

A minor in Liberal Studies is not available.

STATEMENT OF JUSTIFICATION:  A Statement of Justification must be on file and approved by the Dean and relevant faculty members.  Once a student has crafted a Statement of Justification (in consultation with the Dean and relevant faculty members) a contract for the Liberal Studies Major will be approved by the Dean.  This contract must include a list of which courses (including independent studies) a student will count into the major.

ELEVEN COURSES:  The contract major in Liberal Studies will include at least eleven courses in a concentrated program of study, though not all of these eleven courses must be offered by the School of American and International Studies.  This includes:

• one 300-level Independent Study:  One of the eleven courses for all Liberal Studies major must be an independent study that is focused on original research.
• one significant experiential learning activity:  In addition to or as part of their eleven courses, all Liberal Studies majors must complete a significant experiential learning activity that enriches classroom time with concrete experience.  This may include:  volunteerism, internships, relevant employment, club leadership, presenting research at a professional conference or in a journal, or study abroad.

SELF EVALUATION STATEMENT FOR GRADUATION:  An additional graduation requirement for all Liberal Studies majors is the Self-Evaluation Statement, submitted to the Dean and relevant faculty members along with the graduation application.  The purpose of the Self-Evaluation Statement is to reflect back on what the Liberal Studies major has achieved.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a [W] below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
   
   
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

Liberal Studies Home Page
General Education Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Faculty Profiles