Professional Emphasis

While providing a core foundation in the four CI Mission pillars of interdisciplinary, experiential, multicultural, and international perspectives on learning, the Liberal Studies B.A. Professional Emphasis provides flexibility for students to develop knowledge and skills that support their individual career aspirations.

The Professional Emphasis is an option for students whose educational or career goals are not met by any of CI’s existing degree programs. This program permits students to design a complete interdisciplinary program of study suited to their individual needs. To become a Professional Emphasis major, a student must work with the Liberal Studies Director to prepare a carefully conceived program of study.

Planning a major takes time and commitment; considerable thought and discussion are required, since the student is, in effect, proposing that the university support an individually-tailored degree program. It also requires that the student assumes a large portion of the responsibility for their educational choices.

Professional Emphasis Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this Program will be able to:

1. Synthesize content knowledge, ideas, and approaches from integrative perspectives across disciplines to examine societal issues;
2. Demonstrate the capacity to lead others in addressing issues of public concern;
3. Examine societal issues from multiple cultural perspectives;
4. Evaluate societal issues in the context of international perspectives;
5. Analyze oral or written communication for accuracy of content, logic of argument, and clarity of reasoning.

Careers

A wide variety of careers are available to students who complete this emphasis. Graduates find entry into careers in business, government, and social service agencies. A small selection of the careers pursued by Professional Emphasis graduates include: entry-level management personnel, public relations personnel, law enforcement officer, firefighter, non-profit organizational director, and customer service representative. Many individuals also use the the degree to improve their current employment standing

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