College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts contains the departments traditionally associated with liberal education, including the social sciences. For some perspective on what a Liberal Arts education can do for you, check out what our faculty are saying.

Liberal Arts graduates enjoy success in a variety of careers. Besides teaching, many graduates work in government, marketing, training, and business management careers. Many medical, law, and business graduate programs prefer liberal arts graduates.

Check out what business leaders say about liberal education.

You'll get to know some students and faculty, and get many of your questions answered so that the first term will go more smoothly.

College is very different from high school! OSU has an enormous amount of resources, much more than new students are usually aware of. In many cases, freshmen don't get their questions answered because they don't even know the right questions to ask. This is a no-stress course that will enable you to find the resources to get the most out of your college experience.

College is much more intense than high school. The rule of thumb for all college courses is an expectation that you'll spend 2 hours doing work outside class for each hour spent in class; for a 3-hour course, that's minimum of 6 hours a week studying. So, if you're enrolled for a full load, 15 credit hours, you should expect to be studying at least 30 hours a week.

There are different grading options for most courses. While the standard option is "Letter Grade" (A-F), you can in some cases choose S/U (satisfactory / unsatisfactory). Courses taken S/U don't count into your GPA, but S grades (equivalent to a C- or better) will make them count toward your University requirements; courses in which you receive a U don't fulfill any requirements.

Baccalaueate core and CLA requirement classes can be taken S/U; classes in your major must be graded. Requirements for minors vary, so check with departments.

You "earn" one S/U class per term attending OSU. If you've finished your first year (three terms), you can take a total of 3 S/U classes in your next term. At the end of four years, you can have taken a total of nine S/U classes.

For the first two weeks of the term, you can drop classes over the phone. From the third to the seventh week, you can withdraw from a class (but not drop it) over the phone, and a "W" will appear on your transcript.

Your instructor, to make sure you've understood the requirements of the class properly. Your advisor, to assess how this will affect your plan of study. Your financial aid or scholarship official to say why.

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires proficiency in a foreign language at the second year, third term level. A Bachelor of Science degree requires a course of study including math, science and computer science courses, and doesn't require a language.

Using courses from your major to fulfill Bacc Core or CLA requirements. This is not allowed.

The goal of the Bacc Core and CLA requirements is to expose students to a variety of courses above and beyond their area of concentration; this is what's known as being "liberally educated." In addition to a strong background in the major, these requirements guarantee students additional breadth in their education that will serve them well as an employee, a citizen and a person. They enhance the understanding of coursework in the major by offering a broad perspective.

Forms are available in the CLA advising office (213 Social Science Hall). Just fill out a form and turn it in to the Registrar's office. Then, go to the office of your new major and set up an appointment with your new advisor.

Check your catalog in the section that lists the department you're interested in, and go to the department office for more information.

This refers to a computer generated form that lists everything you've taken and which Bacc core requirements have/haven't been met. It's used by your CLA and major adviser to help you plan your courses.

When you apply to graduate, you'll be issued an audit. You can also get one from a kiosk, and one goes into your department file every term.

Make an appointment with your advisor to go over your audit.

When you have completed 90 credit hours (therefore you are a junior), you will begin receiving progress reports about twice a year. You should meet with your advisor to discuss them.

Yes! If you are registered for summer term classes and have applied for graduation that term, you can go through Spring Commencement.

Yes, but only a certain number. Be sure to talk to your adviser about the limitations.

Your advisor will direct you to the International Degree liaison with your major department.

E-mail Student Services.