Bachelor of Liberal Studies
For adult students more than six years out of high school who seek a degree that offers considerable flexibility.
Students’ major requirements in liberal studies are fulfilled when they complete two concentrations according to requirements outlined below. All other graduation requirements from Elmhurst University remain unchanged. A wide variety of concentrations are available for selection by the student wishing to complete a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree.
Program Requirements
- Complete all Integrated Curriculum requirements
- Complete two concentrations
- Complete electives as needed
- Complete at least 10 courses at the 300/400 level
Courses that meet requirements for some concentrations are available in the evening.
Experiential Learning Credit
The flexibility of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree will have special appeal to adult students who may wish to apply experiential learning credits so that a bachelor’s degree can be completed in a timely manner. Generally, experiential learning credit will count only as elective credit. Policies regarding the application of experiential learning credit to satisfy the concentrations vary among departments.
Transfer Students
Students who desire to transfer more than two credits (eight semester hours) into any concentration should verify with the appropriate department chairs that their transfer work satisfies the Elmhurst University concentration requirements. Department chairs will identify specific courses for students to take at Elmhurst University in order to complete the requirements for a concentration.
Concentrations
The following concentrations have been designed by the academic departments to offer liberal studies students the opportunity to study in a variety of fields. Students are encouraged to talk with departmental advisors or the Office of Advising about their concentrations to make sure that they choose courses that match their personal and professional objectives.
Students must complete at least two 300/400-level courses at a four-year institution for each concentration, and students may only select one concentration per department for the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree.
Art
A concentration in art consists of:
- Five art courses:
- Minimum of one lecture course
- Two courses at the 300/400 level
- No more than two courses from outside Elmhurst University
Biology
Five courses are required for a concentration in biology.
- One 100-level course may be applied
(This would be BIO 100 for students who have no previous college biology.) - BIO 200 and BIO 201 are required
- Two 300/400-level biology courses are required
With the help of a biology advisor, the five-course sequence will be planned based upon individual interests. Emphasis on botany, zoology, molecular biology or ecology is possible for a concentration.
For example, an ecology track might include:
- BIO 200 General Biology I
- BIO 201 General Biology II
- BIO 355 Evolution of Vertebrates
- BIO 350 General Ecology
Business Administration
- BUS 230 Principles of Marketing
- BUS 250 Management Theory and Practice
- BUS 263 Accounting and Financial Management for Non-Business Majors
- Two additional 300/400-level courses selected in consultation with the chair of the Department of Business and Economics
- BUS 354 Human Resource Management
- BUS 453 Organization Behavior
And one of the following courses:
- BUS 350 Cultural Diversity in Organizations
- BUS 355 Negotiations: Theory and Practice
- BUS 454 Leadership
Chemistry
- CHM 101 General Chemistry or
CHM 211 Chemical Principles I* - CHM 212 Chemical Principles II*
- CHM 311 Organic Chemistry I
- CHM 312 Organic Chemistry II
Two chemistry electives at the 200, 300 or 400 level (2.0 credits)
*CHM 320 can replace CHM 211/212 for qualified students.
Communication
- COM 114 Interpersonal Communication
- COM 316 Communication Theory
Plus three of courses from Communication.
Students are advised to select courses that provide a
balance between the conceptual and performance aspects
of communication.
Database Programming
- CS 220 Computer Science I
- CS 255 Computer Science II
- IS 224 Visual C#
- IS 423 Database Management Systems
Hardware Programming
- CS 220 Computer Science I
- CS 310 Computer Organization and Programming in Assembly
- CS 360 Computer Network Systems
- CS 440 Web-Based Applications
Management Information Systems
- BUS 230 Principles of Marketing
- BUS 263 Accounting and Financial Management for Non-Business Majors
- IS 425 Management Information Systems
- MTH 345 Elementary Statistics
Software Engineering
- CS 220 Computer Science I
- CS 255 Computer Science II
- CS 318 Object-Oriented Design and Programming Using C++
- CS 320 Data Structures and Algorithmic Analysis
- CS 420 Operating Systems
- CS 475 Software Engineering
System Analysis and Design
- BUS 263 Accounting and Financial Management for Non-Business Majors
- IS 424 Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design
- IS 425 Management Information Systems
- MTH 126 Business Calculus
Technical/Scientific Programming
- CS 220 Computer Science I
- CS 255 Computer Science II
- CS 315 Web Design and Programming
- CS 460 Computer Graphics
- MTH 151 Calculus I
- MTH 152 Calculus II
Web Development
- CS 220 Computer Science I
- CS 315 Web Design and Programming
- CS 419 Java Programming and Web Development
- CS 440 Web-Based Applications
Criminal Justice
Six courses to include:
- CJ 200 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- CJ 210 Police and Society
- CJ 215 Corrections: Theory and Practice
- CJ 308 Theories of Criminology
- CJ 319 Juvenile Delinquency and the Justice System
- CJ 409 Criminology Procedures
Literature
This concentration includes five courses in English above the 100 level, at least four of which must be in literature. All but one of the literature courses must be completed at the 300/400 level. At least three of the courses need to be completed at Elmhurst University.
This structure allows for a general approach to literature. However, through advising and subject to availability of courses, students may also pursue a more specialized concentration in an area such as American, British or modern literature.
Writing
This concentration includes five courses in English above the 100 level, at least four of which must be writing courses at the intermediate or advanced level. The writing concentration must include English 201 or equivalent. At least three of the courses need to be completed at Elmhurst University.
This structure allows for a general approach to writing. However, through advising and subject to availability of courses, students may also pursue a more specialized concentration in an area such as journalism, professional writing or creative writing.
Required:
- ES 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ES 200 Environmental Science I
- ES 201 Environmental Science II
Additionally, choose any two of the following:
- ES 310 Environmental Science and Health
- ES/URB 320 Sustainable Urban Development
- ES 350 Special Topics in Environmental Studies
- PHL 312 Environmental Ethics
- COM 327 Environmental Communications
- HIS 354 U.S. Environmental History
- POL 365 Environmental Politics and Policy
- ES/POL 410 Environmental Law
History
Four courses in consultation with the history department chair. Two of the four courses must be at the 300/400 level.
Health
- KIN 200 Lifestyles for Health and Wellness (.50 credit)
- KIN 240 Community Health (.50 credit)
- KIN 250 Substance Use and Abuse in Society (.50 credit)
- KIN 306 Nutrition for Health, Sports and Fitness
- KIN 346 Human Sexuality
- KIN 360 Concepts in Health
Philosophy
- PHL 106 Critical Reasoning
- PHL 210 Introduction to Philosophy
- PHL 303 Ancient Philosophy
- PHL 304 Modern Philosophy
Recommended:
- PHL 306 Ethics
or PHL 405 Contemporary Philosophy
Political Science
Five courses are required for a concentration in political science. Students must take POL 201 American Federal Government and an additional four courses at the 300/400 level, including one each from American politics, world politics and political thought.
All tracks require a minimum of five credits, excluding PSY 268/368.
Developmental Psychology
For students interested in working with children or adolescents in child care, residential facilities or other education-related settings that do not require teacher licensure. Elmhurst University offers an education major for students intending to teach psychology in secondary schools.
- PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
- PSY 311 Educational Psychology
or PSY 422 Psychological Testing - PSY 313 Cognitive Neuroscience
Two courses from:
- PSY 317 Child Development
- PSY 318 Adolescent Development
- PSY 319 Adult Development and Aging
- PSY 268/368 Field Experience is highly recommended.
Human Services
For students interested in applying their skills in social service settings, in positions such as mental health technicians, career counseling assistants, support group facilitators and community service workers.
- PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
- PSY 312 Personality Theory and Research
- PSY 317 Child Development
or PSY 318 Adolescent Development
or PSY 319 Adult Development and Aging
Recommended for students who have not taken PSY 329:
- PSY 327 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 328 Clinical and Counseling Psychology
PSY 268/368 Field Experience is highly recommended.
Industrial Psychology
For students intending to pursue positions in business settings in areas such as personnel supervision or assessment or human resource management.
- PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
- PSY 355 Statistics for Scientific Research
or MTH 345 Elementary Statistics - PSY 303 Social Psychology
- PSY 326 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- PSY 422 Psychological Testing
PSY 268/368 Field Experience is highly recommended.
Psychology for Research and Preparation for Graduate Study
For students intending to pursue a graduate degree or employment in a research setting.
- PSY 210 Introduction to Psychological Science
- PSY 355 Statistics for Scientific Research
or MTH 345 Elementary Statistics - PSY 356 Research Methods in Psychology
- PSY 411 Theories of Learning
or PSY 423 Sensation and Perception
or PSY 330 Cognitive Psychology - PSY 422 Psychological Testing
PSY 349/449 Research Mentorship and PSY 492 and 493 are highly recommended.
Sociology
- SOC 211 Society and the Individual–Introductory Sociology
Any four of the following (at least two at the 300/400 level):
- SOC 212 Sociology of Culture
- SOC 317 Marriage and the Family
- SOC 301 Social Problems
- SOC 304 Race and Ethnic Relations
- SOC 305 Sex and Gender in Society
- SOC 310 Social Inequality
- SOC 408 Criminology
SOC 100 is a prerequisite to all of the courses listed above except SOC 212. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses at the 300 level when there is an option.
Urban Studies
Students who select the concentration in urban studies take five credits including at least two at the 300/400 level.
Choose three from:
- BID 308 European Union and Cities: Regional Integration and Urbanization in the European Union
- POL 300 Urban Politics
- URB 210 Cities
- URB 291 Suburbia: People, Problems and Policies
- URB 420 Principles and Practices of Urban Planning
- URB 421 Practical Politics and Political Campaign
- URB 430 Seminar in Urban Studies
Choose two from:
- EDU 331 Race and Equity in Education
- GEO 411 Urban Geography
- ICS 270 & 271 Introduction to Intercultural Studies and Intermediate Intercultural Studies
- POL 202 American State and Local Government
- POL 360 Public Policy and Administration
- SOC 301 Social Problems