Department website: http://www.msubillings.edu/class/index.htm

Ms. Tami Haaland, Dean
LA 427, (406) 657-2177
thaaland@msubillings.edu

The liberal arts and social sciences are the core of a complete college education, stimulating our spirit, deepening our understanding, and broadening our horizons.  They cultivate clear and imaginative thinking, effective communication, critical evaluation of ideas, and effective adaptation of knowledge.  Students experienced in liberal arts and social sciences become informed, inquiring, critical, and concerned, while building strong foundations for future career opportunities.

In all of its programs, Montana State University Billings places great emphasis upon the liberal arts and social sciences as the foundation of each student’s General Education.  Upper-division courses in those areas also fill an important role in the education of students across campus.

Academic Advising

All new, transfer, and re-admitted students are encouraged to visit the Advising Center on McMullen Hall first floor west to meet with an academic advisor.  New students will receive information regarding General Education requirements and plan of study worksheets related to their major and minor programs.  Transfer and readmitted students will work with an advisor to complete a transcript evaluation and to develop a plan of study.  After the initial contact with the Advising Center, students who have declared a specific major will be assigned a faculty advisor in their major department.

General Studies majors will work with the Advising Center until a specific academic program has been selected and a plan of study has been developed.

Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is to serve the educational needs of the people of Montana through:

• a General Education program providing a foundation of liberal education to all students;
• selected undergraduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences;
• selected pre-professional programs; and
• various graduate, continuing education, and non-conventional learning opportunities consistent with the mission of the University.

The College seeks to provide knowledge and cultivate skills to help students select realistic future directions for study and/or employment.  With its inherent diversity, the College serves as an intellectual and cultural resource for University students, faculty, and staff; for community members; and for the region.

Career Areas

The liberal arts and social sciences provide the basic background which is essential for careers in many areas.  Some examples are listed below:

• Business Manager
• Creative Director
• Data Analyst
• Communication Specialist
• Environmental Assessment Specialist
• Forestry Worker
• Gallery or Museum Director
• GIS Analyst
• Government Professional
• Historian
• Landscape Architect
• Lawyer
• Librarian
• Licensed Counselor
• Media Manager
• Nonprofit Professional
• Park Ranger
• Photographer
• Production Engineer
• Psychologist
• Range Land Manager
• Recording and Live Sound Engineer
• Social Media Analyst
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Videographer
• Writer or Editor

The baccalaureate degree is sufficient preparation to begin a career in many such areas.  For others, graduate or professional training after the baccalaureate degree is necessary.  Montana State University Billings does not offer baccalaureate degrees in all of these areas, but information concerning career opportunities in specific areas and the kinds of college degrees and specializations that employers look for in a student’s preparation for a career is available through academic departments and the Office of Career Services.

Facilities and Highlights

Northcutt Steele Gallery

The Northcutt-Steele Gallery, Student Gallery, and Outer Gallery are located on the first floor of the Liberal Arts Building.  The Department of Art sponsors solo and group exhibitions featuring international, national and regional artists.  In addition, student art is exhibited throughout the year in graduating senior exhibitions, end-of-semester shows, and ad hoc shows organized by various student groups.

Presenting both established and emerging artists in a mix of traditional and experimental form, media and subject matter, these exhibits are offered for the benefit of both on and off-campus audiences.  In effect, the exhibits provide everyday access to art—a bridge linking students, the community, and the professional art world.

Exhibits are often accompanied by related events including gallery talks, slide lectures, workshops and receptions.  All the exhibits and the majority of related events are free and open to the public.

Music

Each year, the Department of Music hosts regular concerts featuring student and faculty performing in all genres and original compositions and arrangements. Both seasonal concerts and student recitals take place in Cisel Recital Hall, a 219-seat recital hall with excellent acoustics and the technology to enable recordings to be made of performances. 

Each February, the Department hosts the MSUB Jazz Festival, where students and professionals perform for a full house in Petro Theater. This event features nationally-known guest artists and regional musicians. Student performing groups from across Montana and Wyoming travel to Billings for this event.  

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degree are subject to all of the general academic regulations set forth in this General Bulletin.  The following is a summary of degree requirements:

1. General Education – 31 credits
   A complete listing of General Education requirements is included in the Academic Affairs section.  Note:  Students seeking a Bachelor’s degree at Montana State University Billings must take WRIT 101 and an advanced writing class.  Advanced writing classes for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences vary.  Students should consult with their advisors.

2. Degree Requirements in Language
   Definition of “Language”
   Any spoken or written language (excluding sign and computer languages) for which a measuring instrument is available or for which a valid measuring technique can be devised may be used to meet the proficiency requirement.  Proficiency, advanced placement, and equivalency credit are determined by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages.  (In the case of American Indian Languages, the evaluation is done in conjunction with the appropriate faculty in the Department of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies.)  Language credits used for fulfillment of the degree requirement may also apply toward an appropriate language major or minor offered by the University.

   1. B.A. Degree Language Requirement
      ​In Bachelor of Arts degrees requiring foreign language, the language requirement is satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to satisfactory completion of second-year college-level work in that language or languages courses number 101-102 and 201-202 in the same language (maximum of 14 credits).  Language requirements may be different for some B.A. degrees and are described in the section with the degree. Language requirements are different for different degrees and are described in the section with the degree.

   2. B.S. Degree Language Requirement
      ​The language requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree is satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to satisfactory completion of first-year college-level work in that language or language courses numbered 101-102 in the same language (maximum of 8 credits).

3. Degree Requirements in Mathematics
   ​The mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree is satisfied in one of two ways:

   1. Taking two (2) approved mathematical sciences courses (Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science) in addition to the course taken to satisfy the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

   2. Taking M 171* to satisfy the General Education requirement in Mathematics, and completing one (1) additional approved mathematical sciences course (M 172 is recommended).
      Students should consult their major department to determine the mathematical sciences courses recommended for their major.

4. Majors and Minors

   1. An academic major is required for graduation.  Majors as listed in the disciplines consist of 30 or more credits.

   2. An academic minor is required in many departments.  Minors as listed in the disciplines consist of 20 or more credits.

   3. In lieu of the major-minor combination, some disciplines offer extended majors.  Extended majors consist of 40 or more credits, and with this type of major a minor is not required.

5. Electives
   In addition to the above requirements, elective courses are necessary to make a total minimum of 120 semester credits for the degree or, in the case of the major with a teaching licensure option 128 credits.  At least 36 semester credits must be in upper division courses (numbered 300 or above), and at least 12 semester credits of these upper division credits must be in the subject major program.

*

May satisfy General Education requirements.