Liberal Studies Program
Do I have to take MAT 120?
Yes, unless you have fulfilled one of the following four equivalents:
- taken calculus (MATH 147, or 150, or 160, or 170, or BMS 125);
- earned a passing grade in an equivalent course at another institution; or
- received Advanced Placement credit for calculus.
The only students for whom MAT 120 or one of these equivalents is not required are those who are required to take a calculus sequence for their majors. For more information, please visit the Quantitative Reasoning Center website.
Do I have to take the Seminar in Race, Power, and Resistance (LSP 200)?
Yes, all students are required to take LSP 200.
How can I satisfy the “Experiential Learning” requirement?
All students must take some kind of Experiential Learning (EL) course as a degree requirement. Students can fulfill this requirement in a number of ways, including through the following:
- A community-based service learning course;
- Another EL-eligible course offered through a university department;
- Approved off-campus foreign or domestic study program;
- An internship or co-op arrangement, combined with a linked DePaul course (see additional information about this option in the questions below).
Note: You can identify specific EL-eligible courses offered each quarter through the Campus Connect enrollment system. (Set the filter in the "Liberal Studies Requirement" field to "Experiential Learning.")
Students are encouraged to fulfill their EL requirement during their junior year, but some students may complete this requirement in the sophomore or senior year. Please speak with your advisor about the best options for you. Visit the Experiential Learning site for further information.
If an IWS course is "Experiential Learning" eligible, can I apply it toward both my major in IWS and also the “Experiential Learning” requirement?
Yes, but using the same course to satisfy requirements for both the major and the Experiential Learning component of the Liberal Studies program will require you to complete an extra Liberal Studies domain elective in a department outside the IWS Program.How do I get an internship that meets the “Experiential Learning” requirement?
Students who would like to have an internship that meets the EL requirement should contact the Career Center. Their Career & Life Design (CLD) department offers a variety of courses focused on obtaining skills required for initial site placement. The Career Center can provide a list of current course offerings that are eligible for EL credit.
I currently have a job/internship in a professional area that interests me; can I use this to satisfy the "Experiential Learning" requirement?
Students should contact the Career Center with these questions. The Career Center's phone numbers are: Loop: (312) 362-8437; Lincoln Park: (773) 325-7431. For additional information visit the Career Center website.What is the Capstone Seminar?
Students are required to take a Liberal Studies capstone course in their major field, typically during their senior year. The capstone provides students with an opportunity to integrate their major area of study with broader issues raised in their general education program. The Liberal Studies capstone experience allows students to see the relationship between the ideas, perspectives, and substantive areas of scholarship and creative work within their major field and those learned through significant aspects of their course work in the learning domain courses and other courses and experiences of the Liberal Studies Program.
A Liberal Studies capstone course can meet both major field and Liberal Studies requirements. Students who complete one course to fulfill both major field credit and Liberal Studies credit must complete an additional domain elective (from outside the major). The third language course of the Language for Liberal Studies option can fulfill this domain elective.Because the course is offered through the major field department, students must receive a grade of C- or better in this course.Note: Islamic World Studies does not offer its own capstone course, instead majors are required to complete a capstone that complements their unique IWS coursework. The selection of a capstone should happen in consultation with the Director of Islamic World Studies prior to registration.