Areas of Concentration and Subjects/Disciplines
The Humanities
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mathematics and Science
Professional Studies
BLS Program Requirements
Transfer Credits:
Program Concentration:
Full-Time and Part-Time Status:
Core:
Clep and Portfolio/Life Experience Credit:
Major Classes:
Areas and Subjects:
The Humanities: Applied Ethics, Classics, English, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Visual and Performing Arts
Social and Behavioral Sciences: Anthropology, Communication, Economics, International Studies, Politics, Psychology, Sociology
Mathematics and Science: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Professional Programs: Accounting, Information Systems, Engineering, Finance, Management, Marketing, Nursing
Note: Psychology is listed twice as Psychology courses can be taken in completing a BS or BA degree. In most cases, students will take Psychology courses in fulfillment of the social and behavioral sciences, though Psych 261 is in fact a course that counts as fulfilling a Natural Science core class. Consult with your advisor to clarify your interests and relevant courses.
Internships
BLS students can complete internships for credit. An internship can be used to fulfill one of your required major or elective classes in the BLS program. Your regular full-time or part-time employment will not fulfill the requirements of an internship, but seeking placement in a business, corporate, lab, law firm, nonprofit organizational and other settings can be used to fulfill a for-credit internship experience. You will typically work 10 – 15 hours per week on site while Fairfield faculty in your major/department of interest will serve as coordinators.
Eligibility for an internship requires good academic standing as well as the prerequisites prescribed in the major department, such as a specific GPA and prior coursework. If you’re interested, your BPS advisor will work with you and the internship coordinator in the department/program where your interest lies to determine how you can qualify for earning internship credit and invaluable experience.
Example of a Student Major that meets the above requirements:
If a BLS student comes to the major primarily interested in Studio Art, they could take one Studio Art class to satisfy one of their classes required in their “Area IV” core Visual and Performing Arts requirements, use one or more introductory Studio Art classes to fulfill their “Area V” core Humanities electives (and to fulfill required intro level classes needed for entry to upper level Studio Art classes), and take Studio Art classes to count toward their 8+ required elective classes. As far as the major, as per the above guidelines on “Areas and Subjects” in the major, they could take up to 4 Studio Art classes in the major, take one Social Science course (an area different from Studio Art, which is in the Humanities area) such as a Communication, Sociology, Psychology or Economics course, or courses in Math, Science, or the Professional Programs such as Marketing (which are also all areas different from the Humanities area), and then take their remaining major courses in at least 2 other subjects (to have a total of at least 4 different subjects in all). As an example, the Studio Art focused BLS student might have a major completion that looks like this, with 3 different “Areas” (at least 2 different areas are required) and 5 different subjects (at least 4 different subjects are required).
Sample Student Schedule With a Focus in Studio Art
Please work with your advisor to determine a plan of study that makes the most sense for your life and career goals.
Attributing Courses in the online degree evaluation system as Elective, Core, or Major Courses:
Earning a BA or BS Degree
Students who take the majority of their major classes in Mathematics and Science and/or Professional Programs earn a BS degree. Students who take the majority of their major classes in The Humanities and/or Social and Behavioral Sciences earn a BA degree. The registrar does not indicate a specific number of courses needed to fulfill a BA or a BS degree, but will assess globally whether a student’s program of study aligns more with a BA or BS. Students are welcome to pursue a particular degree in consultation with their advisor who will then work with the registrar to ensure the student’s plan of study aligns with their preferred degree.
Core Class Recommendations in Math/Science and History:
Some classes which fulfill core requirements and may be of special interest and particularly well-suited to our BLS students:
Math and Natural Science – 4 classes in all, at least 1 math.
For math, most BLS students are advised to take:
For science, the following courses are suggested (note: This is not an exhaustive listing.):
History—2 classes in all.
Other Core class requirements can be suggested in consultation with your advisor.