Liberal Studies, B.A. - Ukiah

Program Learning Requirements

Critical Thinking: Students polish the ability to think critically in various situations, in the classroom, in the work world and when assessing arguments, positions, opinions and world views. Students polish an increased critical awareness and intellectual independence. Students foster the development of intellectual traits or dispositions along with the skills and abilities they presuppose.

Oral Communication Skills: Students are able to construct and present a cohesive talk or oral argument in an informal or formal setting using specific facts or data to support a position. Students learn and practice communication skills they can use in one to one settings, as well as in small and large groups. Students master the art of public speaking as it applies in the college classroom setting and as it may apply in the work world. Students also practice using various technical platforms.

College Writing: Students are able to make a clear point, impart critical information, and mount a viable argument using proof, research, outside or course materials to support a position. Students are able to respond imaginatively to the content of course materials/texts, to write clearly, effectively, and to respond to the content and nature of the subject or topic. Students are able to develop and carry out research projects and to articulate them within appropriate conceptual frameworks. Students are familiar with basic practices of academic research and documentation, including electronic forms of information retrieval.

Cultural Awareness and Diversity: Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the ways disciplines and topics connect across cultures; to value diversity in every aspect of our world; to have an understanding of the relations between culture, history, and texts; to cultivate an enriched understanding of the complexities and nuances of the human experience across time and culture; to take an interest and get involved in intellectual, aesthetic, cultural, and sociopolitical issues. 

Requirements for the Major

(all upper-division)

Arts & Humanities: Choose from courses in AMCS, theater arts, art history, English, philosophy, NAMS, CALS

Behavioral / Social sciences: choose from courses in economics, geography, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, women’s and gender studies, history, criminology and criminal justice

Natural / Physical sciences: Choose from courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental studies, geology, physics

Electives: choose from courses in the above disciplines, or others (e.g., Education) in consultation with an advisor. Special Studies (SSCI 495 ) and a maximum of 6 units of internship (SSCI 499 ) may be applied toward elective units in the major.

*Includes 9-unit upper-division GE requirement.

*Transferable courses from 2 year institutions may not be used to meet any requirements in the major.

*A minimum grade of C- is required in each course applied to the major.

Core Courses (required of all majors)

• SSCI 300 - Introduction to Portfolio Development and Special Project Unit(s): 1
• SSCI 400 - Portfolio Evaluation Unit(s): 3

Units

Total units in the major: 50

Liberal Studies Ukiah Admission Criteria

Courses are offered in Ukiah for resident credit to students who meet the following criteria:

1. Students must be residents of Mendocino County or Lake County.
2. Students must have completed 60 or more transferable units. (Sonoma State University accepts up to 70 transferable college semester units of course credit.)
3. Students must have completed all 9 units required in General Education, Category A – Communication, Critical Thinking, and Freshman Composition.
4. Students must have completed both the science laboratory requirement and the mathematics requirement in General Education, Category B – Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
5. Students must have been admitted to Sonoma State University and declared a major in Liberal Studies Ukiah.

Liberal Studies Napa & Solano Admissions

Information sessions are held locally every semester. See the Information Sessions link on the SEIE website. Applications are accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters.

Pre-admissions advising is available at your community college or through the Program Advisor.

Application to the Program

Applications for the Liberal Studies-Ukiah Program are accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters from applicants who meet Sonoma State University application deadlines and the admissions requirements for the program. Please see the Sonoma State University application deadline page for more information and specific application deadlines.

Students must apply for the Liberal Studies-Ukiah Program online via Cal State Apply. When filling out the application, applicants must select “Liberal Studies (Ukiah)” as their major; do not select “Liberal Studies (Hutchins)”.

Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and meet the application deadline, as late applications are not accepted, except in extreme cases. If you miss the application deadline for your chosen semester of admission, you must submit a Late Application Appeal Request.

If you have questions about the application process, please locate the appropriate transfer admissions staff member on the SSU Admissions Staff Directory. Scroll down to the Transfer Student Applicants Admissions Team section and locate the appropriate staff member based on your last name.

Sample Two-Year Program