Montana State’s New
Liberal Studies Degree
Creating Options to meet Student and
University Needs
Diane Donnelly ~ Associate Director/LS Advisor
Janet Heiss ~ SIT Advisor
University Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
A flexible, rigorous, cross-disciplinary degree
designed specifically to meet the needs of our
students and institution
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Serves Students-in-Transition:
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Exploring students
Internal transfers
External transfers
Returning students
Addresses University Goals:
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Retention
Provides options for degree programs not offered at MSU
Requires few additional resources
Presentation overview:
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MSU Information
Identified Needs
Process: Exploration to
Implementation
Description of Degree
Administration
Future Considerations
Student Feedback
MSU Facts:
Public, Land-Grant
Institution – 1 of 2
Research Universities in
Montana
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Undergrad Enrollment
Fall ’05 = 10,842
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In-State = 75%
Out-of-State = 25%
Persistence to Graduation
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47% - 6 years
MSU’s Colleges
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Agriculture
Arts & Architecture
Business
Education/Health & Human Development
Engineering
Letters & Science
Nursing
University College
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Liberal Studies Program
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University Studies ~ Academic Advising Center
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Honors Program
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Undergraduate Scholars Program
Recognized need for flexible degree on
campus for many years
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Faculty, Advisors, Students
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Core reform ~ review of general education
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Decisive factor for success:
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VISIBLE SUPPORT OF PROVOST !
Process to Implementation:
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Timeline: Fall, 2001 – Fall, 2004
Liberal Studies Task Force:
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Assistant Vice Provost
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Highly respected faculty from across campus
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Administrative Support
Chair – Directly involved in Core remodel
University Studies Academic Advisor
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Aware of campus-wide student curricular needs
Cross-Campus Communication
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Identified needs and goals of degree
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Researched similar degrees at peer institutions
Campus forums ~ open to faculty & students, welladvertised, had “star” faculty there
Presented at committees across campus:
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Academic rigor ~ not a “last chance” option
Assistant Deans (Academic & Student Affairs)
Faculty Council
Undergraduate Curriculum
Associated Students
Informal discussions across campus
Unique degree – Designed for MSU
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#1 Faculty Concern – Strong academic program
Represents mission of university:
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Support student success
Honors mission of education, research/creativity and
service
Provost Office and Upper Administration
Board of Regents
 Final approval very smooth!
Student Demand:
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Officially offered Fall 2004
Several “shadow” students prior year
Current numbers
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80 declared majors
25+ students “intended” majors
4 graduates!
Capstone course demand 1 year ahead and triple
what we expected!
Liberal Studies Degree Options
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Quaternity
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Equal number of courses in the four “Ways of Knowing”
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Global/Multicultural
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Fine Arts ~ Humanities ~ Social Science ~ Natural Science
Cross-disciplinary courses focusing on international or
ethnic/diversity issues
Environmental Studies
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Courses in Natural Science and Public Policy & Issues
Statistical Information
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Quaternity ~
Global/MC ~
Env Studies ~
Undecided ~
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GPA Info
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46%
26%
16%
11%
Many students 3.5 & above
Many students 2.5 & below
LS Degree Structure
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Based on our new Core 2.0 Curriculum:
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Foundation Courses:
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Ways of Knowing:
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Writing ~ Quantitative ~ University Seminar ~ Diversity ~
Contemporary Issues in Science
Fine Arts ~ Humanities ~ Social Science ~
~ Natural Science ~ Research/Creativity
LS Integrative Courses:
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LS101 – First-Year Seminar – “Ways of Knowing” – 3 cr.
LS 301 – Integrative Seminars – 1 credit – Take 3 times
LS 401 – Senior Capstone – 4 cr.
Degree Options Flowchart
Administration of Degree
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University College – Under Provost’s Office
Director of Program – Senior Faculty
Instructors for LS Courses – Faculty from across campus
Advising –University Studies & LS Director
Advisory board – Rep from each college
Administrative work - Graduate Intern & doing our own!
Access Database – Crucial!
Meeting Student Needs
with Limited Resources
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Required few financial resources:
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Uses existing faculty & courses from across campus
Administrative stipend for Director
Additional money for extra advising help
Added only 10 credits of new classes – the LS courses
Providing options for degrees not offered
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Global/Multicultural
Environmental Studies
Informal Student Survey:
~ 20 responses (25% response rate)
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Why did you choose the Liberal Studies degree?
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I wanted the freedom to create a degree that would fit my educational
goals = 10 responses
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I had completed many credits, but had not found a suitable major &
wanted to complete a degree = 5 responses
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I wanted an interdisciplinary degree = 4 responses
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MSU didn’t offer the specific degree I wanted = 3 responses
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I was unable to meet requirements for another degree program at
MSU, but wanted to complete a degree = 0 responses
(Some students checked more than one answer)
Feedback, cont.
2.
Would you currently be a student at MSU if
we did NOT have the LS degree?
Yes = 11
3.
Maybe = 6
NO = 3
Do you plan to graduate from MSU with the
LS degree?
100% YES
Student Comments:
“I believe that the LS degree is great because it is
flexible and allows for exploration of one’s self.”
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“I was interested in multiple fields and wanted to
pursue pre-dentistry at the same time. LS gives
me the ability to do that.”
Comments ~
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“ I had changed my major several times and still had not
found the right fit. Liberal Studies was the perfect option to
get a well-rounded education and not commit to something
specific that I wasn’t sure was right for me.”
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“This degree is a really great opportunity. I wasn’t excited
about my college experience until I picked this option. I’m
very excited about what lies ahead.”
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“I’m 55 years of age. This was my last
best hope.”
Future Concerns:
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Growing faster than expected
Course access for LS students
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Spanish ~ will fund 101/102 next year
Funding needed:
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Administrative help
Director time
Advising time
Faculty teaching stipends
Diane Donnelly, M.Ed
Associate Director/LS Advisor
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Janet Heiss, PHD
Student-in-Transition Advisor
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana 59717
406.994.3532
[email protected] ~ [email protected]