What is the LSP? The LSP are courses that enhance your educational experience. Unlike your chosen major, which provides in depth knowledge in a single focused area, LSP courses give you a breadth of scholarship across many different areas.

When are LSP courses taken? LSP courses begin upon arrival at DePaul with your Chicago Quarter course, and continue during the entire first year as you take your Writing Courses, a Focal Point Seminar, and Mathematical and Technology Literacy courses (depending on your major or college requirements). Together, these classes orient you to DePaul and prepare you for continuing academic success.

During the sophomore year, there is a Multicultural Seminar requirement and in the junior year, an Experiential Learning requirement (e.g., study abroad, field internships, research), both of which can be applied to complement or strengthen other fields of interests. In the senior year, a Capstone Course culminates your educational experience at DePaul into a single final project.

Across all years of study, you also take two to three courses from six broadly defined domains of intellectual inquiry: 1) Arts and Literature, 2) Philosophical Inquiry, 3) Religious Dimensions, 4) Self, Society, and the Modern World, 5) Scientific Inquiry, and 6) Understanding the Past. (Note: You should carefully review the specific requirements in your chosen major as minor variations do exist in what students take.)

Who will help me figure out these LSP requirements? Your first year advisor, your Chicago Quarter advising team, an assigned major field advisor, or a college office advisor are all trained to help guide you through your various LSP course requirements.

If I switch majors or colleges, will that affect my LSP requirements? Changes in your academic pursuits often do result in minor adjustments in your LSP requirements. To find out exactly what the changes might be, talk to your advisor or check the “What If I Change My Major?” section under “For Students” on Campus Connection.

How do LSP courses benefit me? One benefit of the LSP is if you are undecided about a major, or unhappy with the major you’ve chosen, these courses provide a built-in curricular opportunity to sample other areas of study you may not ever have considered pursuing.

Another major benefit is if taken systematically and deliberately, you can build an Interest Area with your LSP course requirements

What is an interest area? An Interest Area serves a similar function as a declared minor, or any other secondary area of specialization, and thus can strengthen or compliment your chosen field of study. This means Interest Areas can be indicated on cover letters and mentioned during interviews as a unique way to market yourself when looking for a job, or applying to graduate school and professional programs. (Interests Areas are not, however, indicated on your transcript.)

For example, if you are a Commerce student in management and are considering a career abroad, or if you are in LA&S majoring in Sociology or English, you can enhance and compliment your major by taking your required LSP courses in such a way as to create an Interest Area, perhaps in: 1) Asian Cultures and Histories, 2) Sexualities and Social Relationships, or 3) Visual Arts and Culture

Exactly how does one build an interest area?

1. First, carefully review your major area requirements, as you will still need to meet the minimum number of major and LSP courses, especially as they apply to the six Learning Domains: 1) Arts and Literature, 2) Philosophical Inquiry, 3) Religious Dimensions, 4) Self, Society, and the Modern World, 5) Scientific Inquiry, and 6) Understanding the Past.

2. Review and select one of the possible Interest Areas from the master list of themed groupings, and carefully examine all courses associated with it, including Sophomore Multiculturalism Seminar offerings. These courses are already all approved for LSP credit and thus simply represent an organized subset of classes you would normally be looking at to complete your LSP requirements.

3. Combine as many of the identified courses within the Interest Area as you can, while still fulfilling your LSP requirements. Ideally, you should have at least five courses in an Interest Area, but the more the better. (Some students may even link other LSP course requirements, such as their Focal Point Seminar or Junior Experiential Learning class, to strengthen an Interest Area.)

Can I create my own interest area? Absolutely! If you see a new cluster of themed courses not already identified into a meaningful group, you are encouraged to create your own Interest Area. Talk to your advisor regarding how best to do this.

Are interest areas required? There is NO requirement to create an Interest Area out of your LSP courses. Ultimately, it is up to you to discover the various ways LSP courses can be taken to make your educational experience as meaningful as possible. Selecting LSP courses simply because they “fit your schedule” or approaching these courses with the attitude of simply “getting them out of the way” will only shortchange that opportunity.

Is there anything else I need to know about interest areas? Creating an Interest Area does NOT add to the overall number of LSP courses you are required to take.