Liberal StudiesMission The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) degree is administered through the Office of Graduate Studies. The degree is specifically designed for the non-traditional student who is already in the workforce but seeking a baccalaureate degree which will provide him/her with the credentials necessary to enhance his/her career. The program offers more flexibility than a traditional degree in that the student can develop his/her own program around two or more emphasis areas that will help meet his/her professional goals. This degree does not require or lead to a major in a subject field. However, through a strong academic foundation in general education and specific knowledge in selected disciplines, the BLS graduate will perform more effectively in his/her profession and become more proficient in specific job-related skills areas.
Admission Requirements
1. The student must be admitted to the University.
2. The student must submit an application and be formally approved for admission into the B.L.S. program.
3. The student must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application for admission.
4. The student must be admitted to the program at least one semester prior to the semester of graduation.
5. The transfer student must have a "C" average or better in previous college work; a student with less than a "C" average who has been out of school for ten years or more may be admitted on a conditional basis.
6. A person who has already earned a bachelor’s degree is not eligible to enroll in the BLS program.
Degree Requirements (BLS Advisement Worksheet)
1. The student must earn a total of 120 semester hours of academic credit.
2. The student must successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of upper division coursework (numbered 300 and above), of which 18 hours must be in the emphasis areas, with no less than 6 hours in any one emphasis.
3. The student must earn a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
4. The student must successfully complete (with a grade of "C" or better in each course) a total of at least 36 hours in two or three areas of emphasis designed to meet the student's educational goals. No fewer than 12 credit hours may be completed in any one selected area of emphasis.
5. The last 30 hours of coursework must be earned in residence with one exception: a student who has earned at least 90 hours in residence.
6. The student must complete a capstone experience and at least one writing intensive course in an emphasis area.
General Education Requirements for the B.L.S. Degree
Area 1 English Proficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
ENG 101 or ENG 151H with a grade of "C" or better.
Area 2 Missouri State Law Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 hours
HIS 205 or 206, PSC 201, 203, or 204
Area 3 Mathematics Proficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
MAT 112 or higher.
Area 4 Writing Proficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
ENG 102 or ENG 152H with a grade of “C” or better.
Area 5 Humanities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 hours
A minimum of nine hours selected from at
least two different disciplines: art, foreign language,
literature, music, philosophy, or theater.
Area 6 Science/Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 hours
A minimum of seven hours selected from
at least two different disciplines: biology,
chemistry, computer science, mathematics,
physics, experimental psychology, agriculture,
and natural resources. At least one course must
be a science course (biology, chemistry, physics,
experimental psychology, agriculture,
or natural resources).
Area 7 Social Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 hours
A minimum of nine hours selected from at
least two different disciplines: anthropology,
criminal justice, economics, geography, history,
political science, psychology, social work,
sociology or social science.
Area 8 Cultural Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
The cultural diversity component may be
fulfilled by completing any one of the following courses:
ANT 311 World Ethnography
ANT 411 Culture Areas of the World
BS 200 Introduction to Black Studies
BAD 215 Introduction to Global Business
CD 200 Cultural Diversity
ENG 320 Masterpieces of Literature in English Translation
ENG 340 Women and Literature
EDU 260 Education and Cultural Diversity
FRE or SPA Any 3-hour course in French, Spanish, or
other modern foreign language
FRE 321 French Civilization I
FRE 322 French Civilization II
SPA 321 Latin American Civilization
SPA 322 Spanish Civilization
HIS 101 World Civilization I
HIS 102 World Civilization II
HIS 203 fro-American History
HIS 403 Blacks in America
NUR 335 Death & Bereavement: Cultural Variations
PHI 201 Major Religions of the World
PHI 208 African World View
PSC 440 Comparative Politics
PSC 460 International Relations
S/A 202 Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology
Credit for Experiential Learning
A student may receive credit for prior learning experiences as outlined below:
1. A student may petition for credit upon admission to the Liberal Studies Program. The Liberal Studies Committee will complete an evaluation within 90 days of receipt of a student's application. Credit will not be officially posted to a student's transcript until the student has completed 24 hours of satisfactory coursework in residence at Lincoln University. Credit hours for experiential learning may be accrued based upon experience gained prior to and/or during a student's enrollment at Lincoln University;
2. No more than 12 hours of credit may be granted for experiential learning;
3. Credit earned for experiential learning may not exceed 3 hours for each year of fulltime work experience;
4. Credit earned for experiential learning will count as lower division elective credit;
5. A student's petition must include work experience verified by his/her supervisor or similar appropriate evidence and verification;
6. The student's petition must be approved by the faculty advisor and the Liberal Studies Committee.
Credit for Community Service
A student may receive credit for community service as outlined below:
1. A student may earn up to 6 hours of credit for participation in a community service project or cultural activity, with prior approval of the appropriate faculty advisor and the Liberal Studies Committee;
2. Credit earned for community service may not exceed one credit hour for each 30 hours of verified service;
3. Credit earned for community service will count as lower division elective credit.
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