Liberal studies requirements

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Requirements

All students seeking their first baccalaureate degree from Northern Arizona University must take thirty-five (35) units of liberal studies.  You will take courses to satisfy both the Foundation and Distribution requirements.

Foundation Requirements (7 units)

  • English Composition (4 units)
  • Mathematics (3 units)

Distribution Requirements (28 units)

  • Aesthetic and Humanistic Inquiry (AHI), 6 units
  • Cultural Understanding (CU), 6 units
  • Science & Applied Science (SAS/LAB), 7 units
    • Science and Applied Science (SAS), 3-4 units
    • Science and Applied Science with embedded Lab Science course (LAB), 3-4 units
  • Social and Political Worlds (SPW), 6 units
  • 3 additional units from any distribution block or foundation category to meet the 35 unit liberal studies requirement.
Make sure to choose classes from the approved list of Liberal Studies Courses with the help of an academic advisor.  A cross-listed course may only be counted in one block.  Some Liberal Studies courses may also fulfill NAU’s Global or U.S. Ethnic Diversity requirements.  Please confer with your advisor.
If your academic catalog is prior to 2014-2015, courses used for liberal studies may share the same prefix as your minor discipline but not your major discipline.
If your academic catalog is 2014-2015 (or a subsequent catalog), up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements. These same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.  Courses used for the liberal studies distribution requirements can have the same prefix as a student’s minor.

Junior Writing and Senior Capstone

There are two university requirements designed to meet the aims and goals of the liberal studies program that are embedded within the academic major: a junior level writing course and a senior capstone experience. These courses are designed to build upon learning and skills developed through Liberal Studies and the major. Completion of the English Foundation requirement is a prerequisite for this junior-level writing course.

Junior Level Writing Course

The Junior Level Writing Course is a course embedded within the major that is designed to meet both the aims and goals of the liberal studies program as well as the academic major.  The JLW course engages students in the writing process in the context of a discipline or profession.  These courses are designated with a W at the end of the course number.

Senior Capstone

The Senior Capstone is a course embedded within the major that is designed to meet both the aims and goals of the liberal studies program as well as the academic major.  Capstone courses are culminating experiences in the major that incorporate two essential skills of the Liberal Studies program. These courses are designated with a C at the end of the course number.

Liberal Studies Substitution

If you have transferred coursework to Northern Arizona University from another institution that you believe qualifies as a liberal studies course, you may request to substitute a transfer course for a Liberal Studies requirement. (Form must be completed by NAU advisor.)

Exception: Capstone and JLWR substitutions or waivers are approved by your advisor, the chair of your department, and the associate dean of your college or school. See policy number: 100801, Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.

Substitution Flowchart

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