Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)
Pursue your passion.
The Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies (LAIS) major gives you the flexibility to explore your interests with two tracks to choose from: Humanities and Educational Foundations. Our multi-disciplinary LAIS Bachelor’s gives you the agency and support to curate your own degree – one that aligns with your personal passions and professional ambitions.
- Time to Completion
- 4 years
- Format
- Online, In person with online components
- Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Arts
Next steps
Why pursue an LAIS degree at Mary Baldwin?
The Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies (LAIS) major reflects the university’s commitment to providing a comprehensive liberal arts education. Drawing from multiple disciplinary areas extending beyond general education requirements, the major allows students the ability to select the track that’s right for them.
Educational Foundations
If you’re interested in education, but not teacher licensure, you can choose the Educational Foundations track. This could be an ideal course of study for anyone who would like to create instructional content, teach classes, or otherwise lead educational programming for the government, non-profits, corporations, or other private entities, for example.
Humanities
Interested in history, literature, and art? The Humanities track gives you a strong foundation in History and English, but also allows you to select courses in Philosophy, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Art History, as well as Foreign Languages, Cultures, and Literature.
Next steps
“The Educational Foundation path is an excellent option if you are interested in developing children’s educational programming. For example, if your passion is art, you may find the opportunity to work for a Children’s Art Museum and develop educational programs for children.”
Stephanie SeboltAssociate Professor of Education
Build your own Bachelor’s
Students enrolled in the LAIS program will complete core requirements in addition to the track of their choice. This provides them with both a strong foundation and maximum flexibility. (Note: Neither track leads to licensure.)
Sample Educational Foundations courses
- Foundations of Education
- Characteristics Of Exceptionality
- Social Skills and Behavioral Strategies: ASD
- Methods of teaching Social Studies
- Language Acquisition and Literacy
- Classroom and Behavior Management
Sample Humanities Courses
- Women’s Writing
- Children’s and Young Adult Literature
- Nature in America
- Poetics of Hip-Hop
- Sexuality & Gender in America
- History of the Civil Rights Movement
One size does not fit all
If you have a clear vision for your future and our other programs aren’t quite right, a Liberal Arts And Interdisciplinary Studies (LAIS) degree may be just what you’re looking for!
Cost & Financial Aid
We work hard to make an ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ education one of the most affordable in the country. 95% percent of ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ students receive scholarship awards or financial aid. And ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ helps you get your degree faster by maximizing transfer credits and translating relevant work and life experiences into course credits. A great education is worth it. Let us help you bring your aspirations to life.