Liberal Arts and Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that requires students to take courses in most departments within the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. This program of study gives students the background to master new knowledge quickly and integrate that knowledge into a broad existing knowledge base. Majors in Liberal Arts and Sciences develop skills in critical thinking and communication while taking course work in the three traditional areas of natural and mathematical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and arts and humanities. Majors meet all University and college requirements and also complete an upper-division concentration, which provides an opportunity to focus in an area of interest that may be relevant to future employment or graduate education. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Nicholas Evans at: 304-293-4611 Or visit the web at: www.as.wvu.edu/

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
Students may apply for admission to the Liberal Arts and Sciences major after they complete 58 hours of course work, including Math 126, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

Curriculum
West Virginia University baccalaureate graduates are expected to possess knowledge and experience in three broad clusters of learning: Cluster A, the arts and humanities; Cluster B, the social and behavioral sciences; and Cluster C, mathematics and natural sciences. For the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree, students must complete 30 hours in each cluster area in addition to a 15-hour concentration in an area of their choice.

Course Work
The liberal arts and sciences major requires a minimum of 30 semester hours in each of the three basic cluster areas:

Humanities and Fine Arts At least six hours of the following courses must be at the 300 or 400 level. Course work in these areas must have as its subject matter the understanding, appreciation, or history of the relevant disciplines. Credit will not be given for studio, performance, workshop, or craft courses.

Social and Behavioral Sciences At least six hours of the following courses must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics. At least twelve hours of the following courses must be at the 200 level or above.

Additional Requirements
With the assistance of their academic advisor, students also design a 15- credit hour upper-level concentration and complete a capstone course.

*Please see the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog for complete course descriptions.

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Options for the Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate are extensive. Opportunities in government, business, and global affairs are available. Graduates have a broad knowledge base that makes them highly desirable in the workforce.

Companies in all areas hire Liberal Arts graduates: accounting, advertising, agriculture, automobile renting/leasing, banking, building, computer services, fashion, financial services, hotel, health care, insurance, law, journalism, manufacturing, marketing, management consulting, and telecommunications. With proper planning, the degree also may be used to prepare for medical school and other health-care professions.

Graduate School Opportunities
The acceptance of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates into graduate and professional schools is growing. Advanced degrees in many fields allow for higher salaries and added responsibilities.

Students in this major can easily structure their course work to successfully prepare for graduate study in business administration, creative writing, journalism, law, medicine, and public administration.

Salary Range
According to the US Office of Personnel Management, Pay Structure of the Federal Civil Service, for government positions requiring bachelor’s degrees, average salaries are rated GS-5/7. Salary ranges are $18,500 to $23,000 for entry-level positions. The average salary for bachelor’s degrees, according to the 2003 National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, was about $29,000.