Mission
The faculty of the School of Liberal Arts uphold the mission of Spalding University through their commitment to the recognition of the creative and intellectual potential of all students, the creation of a vigorous and caring learning environment, and the promotion of peace and justice in the interdisciplinary study of African American Studies, Art, Communication, English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Writing. 

Degree Programs
The School of Liberal Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and a Bachelor of Science in Communication.

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree offers students two tracks to complete their degree. Students will select either two or three from the following disciplines to form an interdisciplinary studies degree: African American Studies, Communication, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, English, Psychology, Religious Studies, and History.

All degrees offer a focused and integrated curriculum emphasizing the development of critical abilities; an empathic understanding of ethical, social, and cultural issues; an appreciation of art forms as cultural achievements; a capacity to enlarge one's perspective; and creative, original, unconventional thought.

Students completing majors in the School of Liberal Arts must complete 49-55 credit hours in University Studies courses. See the requirements for each major on the program sheets linked below. 

Admission

Students accepted by Spalding University may declare a major in a School of Liberal Arts degree program at any time.

Minors

African American Studies Minor (18 credit hours). Students majoring in any degree program may select this minor. The African American Studies minor has as its core three courses studying Black history in America. To complete the minor, students are able to choose from a wide menu of courses that explore lived African American experiences in the context of multiple academic disciplines. 

Communication Studies Minor (18 credit hours). This minor is open to all undergraduate majors except B.S. Communication majors. Minors in Communication require 18 semester hours in COM (excluding COM 201). Students selecting the Communication Studies Minor have the opportunity to develop a high level of competency in written, oral, and visual communication skills, which are increasingly recognized as vital to success in business. This minor is a strong accompaniment to many other degrees, including  Business Administration.

Entrepreneurship Minor (18 credit hours). Students majoring in any degree program may select this minor. The ability to be creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial are vital skills across many fields. The Entrepreneurship interdisciplinary minor exposes students to entrepreneurial thinking skills that can be applied to designing new creative ventures, adding value to existing creative organizations, and developing opportunities for individual creative professionals. 

Creative Writing Minor (18 credit hours). Students majoring in any degree program may select this minor. The Creative Writing minor has at its core a focus on literature and writing workshops. To complete the minor, students are able to choose from a variety of courses that explore literature and writing. Through small classes and individual feedback, students develop their voice, refine their technique, make connections to other disciplines, and engage deeply with their peers' work.

Environmental Studies Minor (18 credit hours). Students majoring in any degree program may select this minor. In focusing on the topic of the environment through the lens of multiple academic disciplines, students will come to a better understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and gain broad-based and integrated knowledge to work toward better social and environmental stewardship.

Literary Citizenship in Creative Writing Minor (18 credit hours). BFA Creative Writing majors may not select this minor. Students who pursue the Literary Citizenship in Creative Writing minor will explore and articulate how to publish their written work, build a community and create a brand around their writing, interact as a writer within a community of writers, critically examine the role of writers in our society and explore what it means to be a writer and how to make their voices heard. Through this interdisciplinary minor, students will gain perspectives on various publishing techniques, writing cultures, methods of publishing, and elements of community building.

Media Studies Minor (18 credit hours). This Communication minor is open to all undergraduate majors except B.S. Communication majors. Minors in Communication require 18 semester hours in COM (excluding COM 201). Students choosing Media Studies as their minor have the opportunity to learn and apply key communication skills, including negotiation, persuasion, and  strategic messaging and teamwork, skills that are transferable to a wide range of majors and careers.

Women’s and Gender Studies Minor (18 credit hours). Students majoring in any degree program may select this minor. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, students will explore how the intersectionality of women’s lives and gender issues historically and contemporarily affect all aspects of society. This minor is appropriate for all students interested in understanding how gender, race, class, and sexualities intersect to construct our political, social, and cultural institutions, and, in turn, shape our individual and collective real-world experiences.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
Bachelor of Science in Communication

Minors
African American Studies Minor
Communication Studies Minor
Entrepreneurship Minor
Creative Writing Minor
Environmental Studies Minor
Interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies Minor
Literary Citizenship in Creative Writing Minor
Media Studies Minor