Liberal studies is a unique major at Marymount that provides a broad general education and the opportunity to gain knowledge in two major fields that are designated as concentrations. Some examples of concentration options are biology/physical sciences, business and information technology, communication, English, fine and applied arts, gender and society, graphic design, history, humanities, mathematics, philosophy/religious studies/theology, politics, and social sciences (psychology/sociology/criminal justice). Concentrations may also be interdisciplinary such as digital advocacy, performance development, race and ethnic studies, future climates, gaming world: design and build, the American dream, or the big questions. Other concentrations may be considered.
Liberal studies is also a degree completion program for students changing majors in junior year or later, for transfer students from other institutions, and for nontraditional students with previously earned college credits and full-time work experience. The program provides an efficient way to maximize the number of transfer credits and/or shorten the time required for graduation in a single discipline. Students must have completed at least 45 credits to enter the program.
The liberal studies program consists of three components: the Liberal Arts Core, the two concentrations, and the liberal studies triad (LS 300, LS 400, and LS 420).
Upon successful completion of the liberal studies program, students will be able to
The portfolio contains a collection of experiential and scholarly writings, including a lengthy senior thesis in which the student conducts scholarly research that integrates knowledge of the student’s two fields of concentration. The portfolio is often sent to prospective employers to demonstrate students' high level of research and writing skills and knowledge of the controversial issues in their fields of concentration.
Degree Requirements — Liberal Studies
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Liberal studies majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: LS 300 Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development, LS 420 Senior Seminar, and one additional WI course from an area of concentration or from the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Major Required Courses
Students will take a triad of liberal studies–specific courses:
| LS 300 | Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development * | 3 |
| LS 400 | Liberal Studies Internship * | 1 |
| LS 420 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
Students with significant work history may fulfill the internship requirement through submission of a portfolio (LS 400 PACE Internship), with approval of the dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities.
Concentrations
Liberal studies majors will complete two concentrations for a total of 36 credits.
Students may take 18 credits in each field or as few as 15 credits in one of the fields, as long as the required 36-credit total for the two concentrations is met. Of these 36 credits, a total of 18 credits must be completed in concentration courses numbered 300 or above; students may take nine (9) credits in each field, or as few as six (6) credits in one of the fields, as long as the required total of 18 credits of 300-level courses is met.
NOTE: Courses used to fulfill students' requirements in their two concentrations cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Liberal studies majors who desire a concentration in either gender and society or humanities must satisfy the requirements listed below.
Gender and Society Concentration
Five to seven courses in a minimum of three academic disciplines from the following:
Courses used for this concentration cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Humanities Concentration
Five to seven courses in a minimum of three of the following academic disciplines: English, fine arts, history, philosophy, and theology and religious studies. Courses selected for this concentration cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Sample Degree Plan — Liberal Studies
Due to the nature of the liberal studies degree, each student will create an individualized two-year completion plan in conjunction with an advisor. The required liberal studies triad courses should be scheduled as follows.
LS 300 — Fall, Year One
LS 400 — Fall, Year Two
LS 420 — Spring, Year Two
Marymount University Liberal Studies (B.A.) and UND Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Marymount University has an agreement with the University of North Dakota for students to earn both a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota and a degree in Liberal Studies from Marymount University. Students fulfill all requirements for both degrees while maintaining full-time status at Marymount University and enrolling in online courses at the University of North Dakota. Tuition each semester is due to Marymount University. This tuition covers Marymount courses as well as University of North Dakota courses. University of North Dakota courses are delivered online during the academic year. Students are required to complete three laboratory courses during two summers at the University of North Dakota. Interested students should work with their academic advisor at the beginning of their academic career to understand the full requirements of both programs. The advisor will guide the student through the application process and subsequent registrations. Application to the University of North Dakota occurs early during the fall semester of the first year. For more information and details, please see Marymount University Partnership with University of North Dakota Engineering.
Please note that this is a sample plan and requires 5 years; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. Some courses are offered only every other year, and this plan assumes beginning in the fall of an odd year, but the program can be completed beginning any year. This sample plan is based on a liberal studies degree with concentrations in mathematics and mechanical engineering.
Year Five - Fall
LS 400: EXP course
ME 480: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 487: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Five - Spring
LS 420: DSINQ and WI course
ME 488: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Fall
| LS 300 | Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development * | 3 |
| MATH 266+ | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| ME 301+ | Materials Science | 3 |
| ME 306+ | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| Tech Elec+ | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
LS 300: WI course
MATH 266 transfers as MA 325: DSINQ course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 301: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 306: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Tech Elective: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Spring
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course in second discipline | 3 |
| ME 323+ | Machine Component Design | 3 |
| ME 323L+ | Machine Component Design Lab | 1 |
| ME 418+ | Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| ME 474+ | Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
ME 418: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 323 and 323L: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 474: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Four - Summer
| ME 418L++ | Manufacturing Processes Lab | 1 |
| ME 483++ | Mechanical Measurements Lab | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
ME 418L: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 483: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year One - Fall
CHM 151: NS core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
CHM 151L: NS lab core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
EN 101: WR core course
MA 181: MT core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering (Not all students should begin with MA 181. Follow placement recommendations and advisor guidance in course selection.)
TRS 100: TRS-1 core course
Year One - Spring
| MA 200 | Calculus II * | 3 |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| ME 101+ | Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
EN 102: WR core course
PH 100: PH-1 core course
MA 200: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
MA 218: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 101: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Three - Fall
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course which is also WI and DSINQ (HI 322 recommended) | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
| ENGR 202+ | Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 341+ | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
ENGR 202: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 341: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Three - Spring
MA 418: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 203: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 206: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 460: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 322: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Fall
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| SOC 131 | Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| ENGR 200+ | Computer Applications in Engineering | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
PHYS 271: Second NS core course; fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
PHYS 271L: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
SOC-131: GP; SS-1 core course
ENGR 200: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Spring
| MA 221 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| | Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| ENGR 201+ | Statics | 3 |
| ME 201C+ | Student Design Lecture | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
MA 221: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
PH: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
PHYS 272 and PHYS 272L: Fulfill a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 201: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
ME 201C: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Year Two - Summer
| ME 201C+ | Student Design Lecture | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
ME 201C: Fulfills a requirement for the UND degree in Mechanical Engineering
Courses marked with + are completed online through UND.
Courses marked with ++ are completed in person at UND.