Liberal Arts Majors
Choose From 19 Majors
Declare my Major
To declare any of the majors in the College of Liberal Arts, please contact the Academic Support Center for an appointment. To set up an appointment, please call 970-491-3117 or stop by Hartshorn 129 during normal business hours.
Your appointment will either be a one-on-one session with an advisor or a group session with an advisor, depending on major.
If you are a new student, you will get more information regarding majors/minors by attending your first year orientation as well as Ram Welcome.
LIBERAL
ARTS
MAJORS
Explore the Majors of Liberal Arts
Find Your Major Checksheet
Anthropology
Anthropology at CSU explores the relationship between people and their cultures, past and present, and the structure of the social, environmental, political and economic systems in which humans operate.
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Art and Art History
Art and Art History at CSU studies the visual expression of human thoughts, interests, attitudes, emotions, and ideas using many different media – such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, clay, plaster and computers.
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Communication Studies
Communication Studies at CSU focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media. The study of communication leads to personal development, career success and responsible citizenship.
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Dance
Dance students explore the many possibilities for movement expression, along with creativity and scholarly examination, in a challenging and supportive environment. In addition to regular training in ballet and modern dance technique, the curriculum requires performance, choreography, pedagogy, production, and academic coursework. Numerous performance opportunities include six separate productions each year and regular guest artist residencies and master classes.
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Economics
Economics at CSU is dedicated to building a learning community that covers an unusually wide range of economic thought, including neo-classical economics, Keynesian economics, institutional economics, Marxian economics, and feminist economics.
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English
English at CSU is home to poets and linguists, literacy researchers and teacher educators, novelists and literary scholars, composition specialists, and writers of creative nonfiction. We share a passion for exploring the multiple and dynamic ways that the English language is used to meet the demands of life in the 21st century.
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Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies at CSU critically examines the interlocking forces of domination that are rooted in socially constructed categories of gender, sexuality, class, race, disability, and national status. We are committed to nurturing critical thinking, civic-minded, and culturally informed students who strive to strengthen the communities in which they reside.
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History
The Department of History at CSU develops thinkers, researchers, and writers. Our students take courses that bring history to life in unique and engaging ways and become the thought leaders of tomorrow. We offer a variety of classes, including Digital History, World Environmental History, and the History of America’s National Parks. Recent graduates have gone on to careers with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Forest Service and Department of Defense, just to name a few.
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Geography
As a geography major, you will learn about interactions between space, place, and humans in built and natural environments. Our program has a focus of global change in mountain systems. You will solve real-world problems by addressing human-environmental issues from a spatial perspective and use technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing.
Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts
The Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts major at CSU is a multidisciplinary program that combines the humanities, the arts, languages and literature and social sciences to give our students a competitive edge. Our graduates leave with the skills they need for success: interdisciplinary knowledge, core career competencies, personal development, professional excellence, interpersonal confidence and expertise, and a deeper understanding of the complex world in which our we live.
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International Studies
The International Studies major at CSU is a multidisciplinary program designed to help students understand the nature of diverse cultures and peoples. Four concentration options include Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, and Middle East and North African Studies. Our well-rounded graduates apply their education in a variety of careers, including international business, public policy, mass media, environmental sustainability and clean energy, communications, and many more.
Major Checksheets:
- Asian Studies Concentration
- European Studies Concentration
- Latin American Concentration
- Middle East & North Africa Concentration
- International Engineering and International Studies Dual Degree Program: Asian Studies
- International Engineering and International Studies Dual Degree Program: European Studies
- International Engineering and International Studies Dual Degree Program: Latin American Studies
- International Engineering and International Studies Dual Degree Program: Middle East/North Africa Studies
Journalism and Media Communication
Journalism and Media Communication at CSU explores the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for professional media and journalistic communication responsibilities. Our students leave with both technical and leadership skills which allow them to succeed in a variety of journalistic fields. Our graduates have gone on to serve as social media managers, marketing and communication professionals, entrepreneurs, and award-winning journalists and editors.
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Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Languages, Literatures and Cultures at CSU combines the study of language with the understanding of culture to prepare our students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and globalized world. We help our students find their careers and their passions and educate future leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, communicators, artists, and internationally-minded professionals.
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Music and Music Therapy
CSU Music's primary goal is to prepare students to become highly skilled music educators, music therapists, performers, composers, and conductors. Program goals inspire and develop high standards of teaching, scholarship, performance, and research in music. We are pleased to offer small academic classes, applied study with highly qualified faculty, and careful attention to advising; many degree programs and courses are offered online.
Major Checksheets:
- BA - Music Major
- BM - Composition
- BM - Music Therapy
- BM - Music Ed - Choral
- BM - Music Ed - Instrumental
- BM - Performance - Jazz Studies
- BM - Performance - Organ
- BM - Performance - Piano
- BM - Performance - Piano Pedagogy
- BM - Performance - String Pedagogy
- BM - Performance - Voice
- BM - Performance - Orchestral Instrument
Philosophy
Philosophy at CSU studies the most basic moral, legal, aesthetic, religious, and metaphysical ideas by which we search for understanding and develop principles of conduct. We prepare students for a wide variety of professional endeavors, including law, social work, healthcare, theology, and business. Our graduates offer an adept ability to think critically and have intellectual flexibility in a changing world.
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Political Science
Political Science at CSU offers a variety of degree options with an emphasis on practical experience to give our students the foundation for an impressive future. Our flexible and diverse degree options are unique and include Global Politics, Environmental Politics and Policy, and U.S. Government, Law and Policy. We offer a Denver Capital internship program and study abroad options. Coming soon: Washington D.C. internship program.
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Sociology
Sociology at CSU offers degrees which mix foundational studies and unique focus areas. Our students can concentrate on criminal justice/criminology or environmental sociology, in addition to general sociology. A high number of elective credits ensures flexibility in the unique paths our students take.
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Theatre
We are storytellers: that remains our most unique job description. And we try to tell our stories in the most visceral, theatrical, contemporary way we can. We’ve blasted open the definition of what the theatre experience is. What if it takes place in a swimming pool? Or if it takes place in the dark? What if there are no words spoken at all or the dialogue is spoken in seven ancient languages simultaneously? Or if the audience sits on the stage and the action is played out in the house? What if the audience dances for 45 minutes before the performance begins? We need to create art that turns the rules on its head.
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Women's Studies
The Women's Interdisciplinary Studies Program prepares individuals for the needs and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. The program builds awareness of the range of human experience, potential, and accomplishment. Women's Studies uniquely fills Colorado State University's central mission and contributes to intersectional, interpersonal, intercultural, and international understandings.
To declare a minor
you will contact the minor department directly
What can I Do With My Degree?
The Key to Opening Doors
In today's world, a degree can start you down many different and fulfilling paths. Depending on what you decide to pursue academically, there are plenty of opportunities awaiting you; some you may have even overlooked or thought was out of reach. Contact the experts at the Career Center and meet with a Career Counselor.