New York State Liberal Arts Requirements

 

According to Regents Rule 3.47(c), undergraduate degrees are distinguished by the minimum number of liberal arts credits required for each degree.  The BFA and BMus require 30 credits of liberal arts coursework.  The BA degree requires 90 credits of liberal arts coursework.  Education courses do not count toward the 90 liberal arts credits requirement.  

New York State considers Liberal Arts courses to be those that are either of a general and/or theoretical nature that are designed to develop judgment and understanding about one’s relationship to the social, cultural, and natural facets of the total environment.  Working corollaries for counting liberal arts courses are:

1. Independent of specific application
2. Theoretical understandings as opposed to practical application
3. Breadth and scope in principle covered
4. Not definitely directed toward particular career or specific professional objectives
5. Not chiefly “how to” in manipulative skills or techniques
6. Not “applied” aspects of a field.

Courses offered in the areas of English, some Communication courses, some Dance and Theater courses, Languages, Music History and Theory, Art History and Theory, Philosophy, Religion, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, among others, are considered Liberal Arts.  

Physical Education, Management, Education, Library Science, Studio Art, Theatre Production, Music practice or performance, among others, are not considered Liberal Arts.

Consult with the Academic Advising Office if you are unsure about what constitutes a Liberal Arts course.