The Liberal Arts Curriculum
The Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) provides all undergraduate students with grounding in the liberal arts that is infused with critical and creative inquiry. It also satisfies the six general education areas all public higher education institutions in the state of Colorado are required to include in their undergraduate degree programs. Completing the LAC enables students to develop content knowledge in Written Communication, Mathematics, Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Natural & Physical Sciences. In keeping with UNC’s commitment to the values of inclusion, equity, and diversity, all UNC students are required to choose at least one course with a U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS] designation, and at least one course with an International Studies [IS] designation. Courses with these designations can be found within the general education category of Arts & Humanities, History, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The LAC also supports development of the following competencies for all students: Civic Engagement, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Diversity & Global Learning, Information Literacy, Inquiry & Analysis, International Learning, Multicultural Learning, Oral/Presentational Communication, Problem Solving, Quantitative Literacy, and Written Communication.
Requirements
Students are required to complete at least 31 hours distributed among the following general education areas:
- Written Communication — 6 credits
- Mathematics — 3 credits
- Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies, and International Studies — 15 credits
- Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
U.S. Multicultural Studies and International Studies Requirements
At least one course (3 credits) must carry a U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS] designation, and at least one course (3 credits) must carry an International Studies [IS] designation. To complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum within the minimum of 31 credit hours required by the state general education program, students should select at least one Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences course that carries an IS designation, and at least one course that carries an MS designation (6 credits total).
Special Notes
- Courses that may be used to satisfy the Liberal Arts Curriculum are highlighted in the course catalog and course schedule with the indicators listed below. More information about general education requirements, including a link to courses scheduled for current and upcoming terms, can be found on the LAC website.
- No course taken before the time it appears as a Liberal Arts Curriculum course in the Catalog may be used to satisfy the requirements of the Liberal Arts Curriculum.
- No course taken after the time it is removed from the eligibility list for the Liberal Arts Curriculum may be used to satisfy the requirements of the Liberal Arts Curriculum.
- UNC courses that have not been approved for inclusion in the Liberal Arts Curriculum may not be substituted for courses that have been approved for inclusion in the Liberal Arts Curriculum in the satisfaction of the requirements of the Liberal Arts Curriculum.
- Any course being transferred to UNC that has not already been designated as equivalent to any course approved for inclusion within the Liberal Arts Curriculum will be referred to a transfer specialist in the Office of the Registrar for review. If it is decided that the course is equivalent to an approved Liberal Arts Curriculum course, it will be designated as such for all students desiring to transfer it to UNC in the future.
- Regardless of a student's catalog year, any course taken at UNC after Summer 2006 may be used to satisfy a particular Liberal Arts Curriculum requirement if and only if it is listed as an approved Liberal Arts Curriculum course in the relevant area in the Catalog in effect at the time at which it was taken.
- In some cases, courses that fulfill a major requirement also fulfill a Liberal Arts Curriculum requirement. Students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure they are taking advantage of these opportunities to double count a single course toward both LAC and major requirements.
Waiver of Liberal Arts Curriculum Requirements
Individuals with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or a Bachelor’s degree (regardless of date of completion) from an accredited institution will have their Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) requirements waived. Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees do not waive the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirement.
Many UNC bachelor's degree programs require courses as part of their major that also have LAC status. Because they are requirements of the major, these courses cannot be waived by a previous AA, AS, or bachelor's degree, even though the student may already have completed the LAC with other coursework.
Liberal Arts Curriculum Course Challenge Option
In accordance with CCHE policy, students may request a challenge exam in lieu of an LAC course. Students interested in challenging a Liberal Arts Curriculum course should contact the appropriate program to inquire about the process.
Guaranteed Transferability
Courses bearing the designation "gtP" have also been approved for inclusion in Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Pathways (gtP). A grade of C- or better guarantees that the course will automatically transfer to any Colorado public institution and satisfy the same statewide general education category at that institution. For more information on the gtPathways program, please visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.
Liberal Arts Curriculum Course Indicators
| LAA1 |
Arts & Humanities: Arts & Expression |
LAIS |
International Studies |
| LAA2 |
Arts & Humanities: Literature & Humanities |
LAMS |
U.S. Multicultural Studies |
| LAA3 |
Arts & Humanities: Ways of Thinking |
LAS1 |
Natural & Physical Sciences |
| LAA4 |
Arts & Humanities: World Languages |
LASL |
Natural & Physical Sciences Lab |
| LAB1 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences: Economic or Political Systems |
LAW1 |
Introductory Written Communication |
| LAB2 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences: Geography |
LAW2 |
Intermediate Written Communication |
| LAB3 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences: Human Behavior, Culture or Social Frameworks |
LAW3 |
Advanced Written Communication |
| LAH1 |
History |
LAX1 |
Mathematics |
Exploring the Liberal Arts Program
Students who choose to begin building their academic foundation prior to declaring a major are automatically enrolled in our “Exploring the Liberal Arts” Program. Administered by Soar, in collaboration with the Center for Career Readiness, this program provides students with professional advising that helps them discover their academic interests and aptitudes while exploring the rich and diverse course offerings in UNC’s Liberal Arts Curriculum. Students emerge from their "exploring" experiences solidly grounded in an understanding of their path to academic success.