Business and Liberal Studies

A multi-disciplinary program of study (MPS), the B.S. in Business and Liberal Studies degree is a unique opportunity for students to stand out in a crowd by sharpening their competitive edge and demonstrating their ability to think analytically, critically, and creatively.

The impetus behind this degree was to help students, particularly those already in the work-force, increase the value and make meaning out of a liberal arts education by combining required courses in the general education curriculum with a focus on business courses and science and humanities electives.   

Initially created for Jackson Laboratory employees, this program combines key elements of the B.S. Business Administration (IPS), B.S. Business and Professional Studies and B.S. Liberal Studies (IPS) degrees. Other businesses may want to consider this degree option for their employees. 

The Program

The fundamental program requirement is that each student must complete an approved program of study having no fewer than 120-credit hours of college-level work that demonstrates a broad base in business and in liberal studies courses along with a full complement of general education courses. 

Students in the B.S. Business and Liberal Studies degree will be able to meet the following program objectives:

• To explain the major concepts in the functional areas of accounting, finance and management.
• To evaluate the legal, social and economic environments of business
• To describe the global environment of business
• To apply ethical decision making skills and integrity in an ever-changing, global environment
• To apply critical problem solving and professional skills in an experiential learning environment
• To demonstrate oral and written communication skills, appropriate to the profession
• To critique ideas, to be self-reflective, to respond creatively to the ideas and experiences of others and to analyze, synthesize and evaluate ideas and information.
• To reflect on the question of relationships: between yourself and others; between personal values and actions; between your understanding of self and what you see as "your work in the world."
• To understand the dynamic social forces affecting your community, the nation and the world through study in such areas as history,economics, politics, social studies, and cultural studies.
• To understand the dynamic relationship between theory and practice.