Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.)

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g., science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specialization in Literature and Humanities or Psychology.

The Purpose of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree is to

Provide adult learners with the analytical and research tools required to synthesize their experience with the body of knowledge and truth provided in the liberal arts;
Enable adult learners to apply content and theoretical concepts drawn from a broad range of liberal arts disciplines to solve problems in their families, careers, and communities.
Instill or deepen the commitment of adult learners to social justice, collaborative service, and a global, inclusive community.

Program Outcomes: Upon completion, Students will

Demonstrate advanced analytical, research, quantitative, communications, and collaborative skills and cultural and informational literacy;
Describe, analyze, and evaluate critical issues and theories within and across specific liberal arts disciplines.
Map the issues and applications of the liberal arts to relevant political, economic, social, and historical contexts;
Relate and apply content and theoretical concepts drawn from the liberal arts disciplines to experience, issues, and problems in their families, careers, and communities;
Describe, evaluate, and act on the historical, political, and cultural factors that have shaped the global community, the struggle for social justice, and environmental sustainability; and
Identify, design, and participate in collaborative service projects within Barry University and the wider community.

Specializations within the (B.L.S.)

The program requires students to complete an area of specialization consisting of 30 credits. However, students may opt to complete both a specialization and a portfolio. Students select an area of specialization from the following: Literature and Humanities or Psychology. Students interested in earning a second specialization should discuss this with an Academic Advisor.

Areas of Specialization

Literature and Humanities Specialization	30 credits
Psychology Specialization	30 credits

Policies Regarding an Area of Specialization

An area of specialization consists of no less than 30 credit hours of appropriate and approved course work.
All students are required to take the BLS-299 and the BLS-499 courses.
All students are required to take or transfer two distribution courses: PSY-206 and HUM-303.
Only one Special Topic course may be included in the specialization. The Special Topic course must be directly related by name and course content to the area of specialization.
The course title, prefix, and number will be the determinant for course work in an area of specialization.
24 of the 30 credit hours must be taken through Barry University and bear Barry University course prefixes and numbers for the specialization in Literature and Humanities and Psychology.
Up to three upper level portfolio and/or transfer credits may be accepted into the Literature and Humanities specialization and the Psychology specialization, with the Academic Coordinator’s approval.
Grades of “C” or higher must be earned in all specialization course work.
A minor may be earned with this degree.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) w/ Literature and Humanities Specialization (120 Credits)

The Literature and Humanities specialization is an interdisciplinary approach to the aesthetic production of Western and non-Western literature and the arts. Such an approach includes philosophy, literature, theatre, and the fine arts (painting, sculpture, dance, architecture, music). Courses can only be counted once. They are either counted in the distribution or counted in the specialization. A single course cannot be counted in both areas to fulfill two requirements.

Prerequisites (3 Credits)

Students must satisfy ENG-302 Academic Research and Writing prior to beginning the required coursework for Literature and Humanities specialization.

Distribution Requirements or General Electives (6 credits)

Students pursuing the BLS degree must select or transfer the following two courses in the distribution or take them as general electives:

PSY-206	PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY	3
HUM-303	MODERN CURRENTS IN THE HUMANITIES	3

Degree Requirements (120 Credits)

Distribution Requirements (45 Credits)

Literature and Humanities Specialization (30 Credits)

Literature and Humanities Core (21 credits)

BLS-299	CRITICAL APPROACHES TO LIBERAL STUDIES	3
-	Literature and Humanities	6
-	Philosophy or Theology	3
-	Art Dance Music and Theatre	6
BLS-499	LIBERAL STUDIES CAPSTONE	3

Literature and Humanities Electives (9 credits)

Choose three additional courses from any of the following disciplines, ART, DAN, ENG, HIS, HUM, MUS, PHI, TH, and THE. At least one course must be at the 400 level. Discipline specific upper level portfolio or transfer credits with the Academic Coordinator’s approval.

Portfolio (Option) (Up to 30 Credits)

Electives (Variable Credits)

Course Sequencing for the Literature and Humanities Specialization

Students pursing the B.L.S. degree must select PSY-206 and HUM-303 in the distribution or applied to the distribution through transfer credits. Students must satisfy ENG-302 prior to beginning the required coursework.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) w/ Psychology Specialization (120 Credits)

The Psychology specialization focuses specifically upon the theoretical, empirical, and applied foundations of psychology. It is designed to support the success of those students already employed as mental health paraprofessionals and/or prepare those students who anticipate employment in these areas. Students will emerge as more informed citizens cognizant of psychological ethics and able to recognize the complexities inherent in the description, prediction, analysis, and influence of human behavior. The program has been designed to furnish necessary prerequisites for graduate education in psychology or to support graduate training in related fields such as social work, law, counseling, education, or organizational behavior.

Prerequisites (3 Credits)

Students must satisfy ENG-302 Academic Research and Writing prior to beginning the required coursework for Literature and Humanities specialization.

Degree Requirements (120 Credits)

*Note: No portfolio credits may be applied to the Psychology Specialization. Only in General Electives

Distribution Requirements (45 Credits)

Psychology Specialization (30 Credits)

Psychology Core (21 credits)

BLS-299	CRITICAL APPROACHES TO LIBERAL STUDIES	3
PSY-304	ESSENTIALS OF LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT	3
PSY-305	PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT	3
PSY-410	GROUP DYNAMICS AND DECISION-MAKING	3
PSY-412	ADULT PSYCHOPATHOLOGY	3
-
PSY-425	INTRO PSYCHOTHERAPY/COUNSELING	3
-	Or
PSY-434	BEHAVIOR DISORDERS IN CHILD AND ADOLES	3
-
BLS-499	LIBERAL STUDIES CAPSTONE	3

Psychology Electives (9 credits)

Choose from:

PSY-301	PSYCHOLOGY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE	3
PSY-311	PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES DIS PREP & RECOVERY	3
PSY-329	UNDERSTANDING AND COPING WITH STRESS	3
PSY-331	COUNS TECH FOR MANAGERS	3
PSY-410	GROUP DYNAMICS AND DECISION-MAKING	3
PSY-416	DYNAMICS OF ADULT LIVING	3
PSY-425	INTRO PSYCHOTHERAPY/COUNSELING	3
PSY-430	PERSONALITY DISORDERS	3
PSY-434	BEHAVIOR DISORDERS IN CHILD AND ADOLES	3

Portfolio (Option) (Up to 30 Credits)*

Electives (Variable Credits)

Course Sequencing for Psychology Specialization

Students pursing the B.L.S. degree must select PSY-206 and HUM-303 in the distribution or applied to the distribution through transfer credits. Students planning on attending graduate school in a mental-health related profession are strongly encouraged to complete MAT-154 during their first or second semester of enrollment. The 400 level classes require successful completion of the 300 level courses.