B.A. in Liberal Studies
The Liberal Studies major provides students with a flexible, customizable course of study toward a bachelor’s degree. It consists of a tool-kit of foundational skills, along with one's choice of concentration areas. The foundational courses taken by all LST majors target analysis of reasoning and data, as well as global awareness. Students attain career readiness via an internship experience, and the major culminates with a bilingual interdisciplinary capstone to integrate learning. Beyond these common elements, students choose a concentration: Build-a-Bison. Concentrations are built from modular elements, such as minors and microcredentials, or from selections of courses from various disciplines. Build-a-Bison is the more free-ranging option, where students can choose modules from across the curriculum. Other concentrations provide more defined emphases and structure, while still allowing room for innovation.
Summary of Requirements
|
2025-2026 |
| Core Curriculum |
43 |
| Required LST Coursework |
12-13 |
| Required Concentration Courses |
36+ |
| Free Elective Courses |
28-29 |
| TOTAL |
120 |
All Gallaudet students must earn a GPA of at least 2.0 to graduate. Beyond this, the Liberal Studies major does not require any particular GPA. However, some Gallaudet minors do have minimum GPAs. LST students need to satisfy all requirements of the minor(s) that are included in their concentration, including any GPA requirements.
To declare a Liberal Studies major, complete ASL 125 and ENG 102, or equivalents, and consult with your Academic Advisor and the LST Program Director.
Foundational Coursework
Choose one reasoning/rhetoric analysis course (3 credits) from:
Choose one data analysis course (3 credits) from:
| ASL 304 | ASL Data Analysis and Applications I | 3 |
| DAS 101 | Introduction to Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOC 334 | Introduction to Methods of Social Research | 3 |
Choose one global awareness course (3 - 4 credits) from:
Other courses with strong global content may also qualify; consult with the LST program director. Students may satisfy the global awareness requirement with a COIL course or study abroad experience.
Concentration
Build-a-Bison Concentration
- Complete any two Gallaudet minors (minors range from 15 to 30 credits; the majority are 18 - 21 credits)
- Two 9-credit microcredentials may substitute for one of the above minors.
- While any minors or microcredentials may be chosen, remember, you will need to draw connections between them in your capstone!
Concentration credits must add up to at least 36.
Internship and Capstone (3 credits)
- Internship (0+ credits)
- LST 400 Liberal Studies Capstone (3 credits) Each student will create a capstone project that integrates methodologies of the disciplines included in their concentration to address a central question or issue. Capstone activities may vary, from creative endeavors to research projects to literary analyses. But all must result in substantial, sophisticated bilingual (signed and written) products. Prerequisite: LST major, permission of LST program director
Program Outcomes
Critically analyze reasoning, evidence, and data, to address complex issues. [GU SLOs: Critical Thinking, Digital Awareness, Science Literacy]
Demonstrate competence in the methods of more than one discipline, using them flexibly to solve problems. [GU SLO: Critical Thinking]
Apply skills in ASL and English to create an interdisciplinary capstone project. [GU SLOs: Critical Thinking, Bilingualism]
Demonstrate job readiness by satisfactory completion of an internship. [GU SLO: Career Readiness]