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AA - Liberal Studies

Program Codes: AALIBST
Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies provides students with a foundational liberal arts education while also allowing for a concentration in either Fine Arts and Humanities or the Sciences and Social Sciences. Grounded in the Mercy mission, the curriculum is designed to challenge mindsets and assumptions, enable the development of problem-solving skills, encourage curiosity and creative inquiry, cultivate an appreciation of arts and culture, and ignite community awareness and engagement. this course sequence is an integral part of a Mercyhurst education and culminates in an Associate of Arts degree, or it can be used to fulfill the general requirements of the first two years of study for a four-year degree.

Program Outcomes:

A unique set of programmatic learning outcomes have been developed to take into account the multidisciplinary curriculum, the varied experiences of all students, and the overall purpose and value of the Liberal Arts program as viewed through the lens of the Mercyhurst Mission and the Core Values. The programmatic learning outcomes are: 

  • Value knowledge across all disciplines – students will describe connections across multiple disciplines and articulate their importance 

  • Engage multiple perspectives – students will actively seek out, thoughtfully consider, and value the diverse perspectives of others 

  • Collaborate with others – students will interact with their peers, faculty, advisors, and others across campus in pursuit of personal and educational goals  

Program Requirements:

The Liberal Studies program is designed to provide a well-rounded liberal arts education that can be used as a springboard to studies at any other institution, as well as to complete a baccalaureate degree at Mercyhurst University. Students complete two distinct sets of requirements: first, they complete both the Freshman Experience and Liberal Arts Experience components of the Mercyhurst REACH Curriculum; and second, they finish their degree by completing 24 credits in a disciplinary focus by choosing either the Fine Arts and Humanities or the Sciences and Social Sciences.

Freshman Experience

(5 credits)

INTRODUCTION TO MERCYHURST
Course Code:
IMU 101
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
IMU 101
INTRODUCTION TO MERCYHURST
1
INVOLVEMENT AT MERCYHURST
Course Code:
IMU 102
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 15
x
IMU 102
INVOLVEMENT AT MERCYHURST
1
RESEARCH & WRITING
Course Code:
COMP 120
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
Focuses on developing sustained academic arguments supported with research. The class emphasizes skills in reading, thinking critically, identifying research topics, gathering and assessing both print and electronic sources, and composing well-structured, focused arguments.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
COMP 120
RESEARCH & WRITING
3
Liberal Arts Experience

(31 credits)

Choose 2 courses - CST, PHIL, and/or RLST

Choose 1 course - ENG 

Choose 1 course - ART, DANC, MUS, or THEA

Choose 1 course - MATH or STAT

Choose 1 course with a lab - BIO, CHEM, GEOL, PHYS, or SCI

Choose 2 courses - ECON, HIS, and/or POLI

Choose 2 courses - ANTH, ARAB, ASL, CHNS, FREN, PSYC, RUSS, SOC, SPAN, and/or WL

Students will need to choose a Disciplinary Focus from two different tracks
Fine Arts and Humanities Track

Choose 8 courses - ANTH, ARAB, ART, ARTH, ASIA, ASL, CHNS, CST, DANC, ENG, FREN, HIS, MUS, PHIL, PSYC, RLST, RUSS, SPAN, THEA, WL

OR

Sciences and Social Sciences Track

Choose 8 courses - BIO, CHEM, CIS, COM, ENVS, GEOL, MATH, PHYS, POLI, PUBH, RIAP, SCI, SOC, STAT, SUST

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