Montana State’s New Liberal Studies Degree

1. Montana State’s New Liberal Studies Degree Creating Options to meet Student and University Needs Diane Donnelly ~ Associate Director/LS Advisor Janet Heiss ~ SIT Advisor University Studies

2. Bachelor of Arts in Liberal StudiesA flexible, rigorous, cross-disciplinary degree designed specifically to meet the needs of our students and institution • Serves Students-in-Transition: • Exploring students • Internal transfers • External transfers • Returning students • Addresses University Goals: • Retention • Provides options for degree programs not offered at MSU • Requires few additional resources

3. Presentation overview: • MSU Information • Identified Needs • Process: Exploration to Implementation • Description of Degree • Administration • Future Considerations • Student Feedback

4. MSU Facts: • Public, Land-Grant Institution – 1 of 2 Research Universities in Montana • Undergrad Enrollment Fall ’05 = 10,842 • In-State = 75% • Out-of-State = 25% • Persistence to Graduation • 47% - 6 years

5. MSU’s Colleges • Agriculture • Arts & Architecture • Business • Education/Health & Human Development • Engineering • Letters & Science • Nursing • University College • Liberal Studies Program • University Studies ~ Academic Advising Center • Honors Program • Undergraduate Scholars Program

6. Recognized need for flexible degree on campus for many years • Faculty, Advisors, Students • Core reform ~ review of general education • Decisive factor for success: • VISIBLE SUPPORT OF PROVOST !

7. Process to Implementation: • Timeline: Fall, 2001 – Fall, 2004 • Liberal Studies Task Force: • Assistant Vice Provost • Administrative Support • Highly respected faculty from across campus • Chair – Directly involved in Core remodel • University Studies Academic Advisor • Aware of campus-wide student curricular needs

8. Cross-Campus Communication • Identified needs and goals of degree • Academic rigor ~ not a “last chance” option • Researched similar degrees at peer institutions • Campus forums ~ open to faculty & students, well-advertised, had “star” faculty there • Presented at committees across campus: • Assistant Deans (Academic & Student Affairs) • Faculty Council • Undergraduate Curriculum • Associated Students • Informal discussions across campus

9. Unique degree – Designed for MSU • #1 Faculty Concern – Strong academic program • Represents mission of university: • Support student success • Honors mission of education, research/creativity and service • Provost Office and Upper Administration • Board of Regents • Final approval very smooth!

10. Student Demand: • Officially offered Fall 2004 • Several “shadow” students prior year • Current numbers • 80 declared majors • 25+ students “intended” majors • 4 graduates! • Capstone course demand 1 year ahead and triple what we expected!

11. Liberal Studies Degree Options • Quaternity • Equal number of courses in the four “Ways of Knowing” • Fine Arts ~ Humanities ~ Social Science ~ Natural Science • Global/Multicultural • Cross-disciplinary courses focusing on international or ethnic/diversity issues • Environmental Studies • Courses in Natural Science and Public Policy & Issues

12. Statistical Information • Quaternity ~ 46% • Global/MC ~ 26% • Env Studies ~ 16% • Undecided ~ 11% • GPA Info • Many students 3.5 & above • Many students 2.5 & below

13. LS Degree Structure • Based on our new Core 2.0 Curriculum: • Foundation Courses: • Writing ~ Quantitative ~ University Seminar ~ Diversity ~ Contemporary Issues in Science • Ways of Knowing: • Fine Arts ~ Humanities ~ Social Science ~ ~ Natural Science ~ Research/Creativity • LS Integrative Courses: • LS101 – First-Year Seminar – “Ways of Knowing” – 3 cr. • LS 301 – Integrative Seminars – 1 credit – Take 3 times • LS 401 – Senior Capstone – 4 cr.

14. Degree Options Flowchart

15. Administration of Degree • University College – Under Provost’s Office • Director of Program – Senior Faculty • Instructors for LS Courses – Faculty from across campus • Advising –University Studies & LS Director • Advisory board – Rep from each college • Administrative work - Graduate Intern & doing our own! • Access Database – Crucial!

16. Meeting Student Needs with Limited Resources • Required few financial resources: • Uses existing faculty & courses from across campus • Administrative stipend for Director • Additional money for extra advising help • Added only 10 credits of new classes – the LS courses • Providing options for degrees not offered • Global/Multicultural • Environmental Studies

17. Informal Student Survey:~ 20 responses (25% response rate) • Why did you choose the Liberal Studies degree? • I wanted the freedom to create a degree that would fit my educational goals = 10 responses • I had completed many credits, but had not found a suitable major & wanted to complete a degree = 5 responses • I wanted an interdisciplinary degree = 4 responses • MSU didn’t offer the specific degree I wanted = 3 responses • I was unable to meet requirements for another degree program at MSU, but wanted to complete a degree = 0 responses (Some students checked more than one answer)

18. Feedback, cont. • Would you currently be a student at MSU if we did NOT have the LS degree? Yes = 11 Maybe = 6 NO = 3 • Do you plan to graduate from MSU with the LS degree? 100% YES

19. Student Comments: “I believe that the LS degree is great because it is flexible and allows for exploration of one’s self.” • “I was interested in multiple fields and wanted to pursue pre-dentistry at the same time. LS gives me the ability to do that.”

20. Comments ~ • “ I had changed my major several times and still had not found the right fit. Liberal Studies was the perfect option to get a well-rounded education and not commit to something specific that I wasn’t sure was right for me.” • “This degree is a really great opportunity. I wasn’t excited about my college experience until I picked this option. I’m very excited about what lies ahead.” • “I’m 55 years of age. This was my last best hope.”

21. Future Concerns: • Growing faster than expected • Course access for LS students • Spanish ~ will fund 101/102 next year • Funding needed: • Administrative help • Director time • Advising time • Faculty teaching stipends

22. Diane Donnelly, M.EdAssociate Director/LS Advisor~Janet Heiss, PHDStudent-in-Transition Advisor Montana State University Bozeman, Montana 59717 406.994.3532 donnelly@montana.edu ~ jheiss@montana.edu