EXPLORE
Why liberal arts at CSU?
As a public, land-grant institution, CSU weighs teaching, research, service, and outreach equally. We focus on access for any student who wants to put in the effort to get a college degree. In Liberal Arts, we offer the small college feel (personalized attention, communities of interest) with the benefits of a large research institution - this means you'll have opportunities for great undergrad research experiences and interaction with well-published faculty.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
EXPLORE A MAJOR
WORK WITH AN ADIVSOR
A Word From Students
Environmental Ethics has been my favorite class. It took everything that I am truly passionate about into one class. I believe that if that was a required class or a more common field of study, we wouldn't be in the awful environmental situation that we currently find ourselves in.
– Aram S, Philosophy
I have loved all of my Chinese and Arabic classes. While perhaps the most intense and hardest I have taken, the teachers from both languages have undoubtedly influenced my time here at CSU. They each foster an environment where students are never afraid to ask questions, where students genuinely get to enjoy what they study; my teachers make me fall in love with the languages I chose even more.
– Hannah H, International Studies and Communication Studies
My favorite class has been Correctional Organizations. It is part of one of my minors, Criminal Justice, in the sociology department. I had a great professor, Ian Greenwood, who is super passionate about corrections and made me fall in love with learning about the US correction system and comparing it to other places around the world and learning how we can be better. I enjoyed learning about the policy process of implementing change, and we also took field trips to the Larimer County jail to see real-world examples.
– Gussie M, Political Science
Our Departments
CLA is the College of Liberal Arts where we examine what it means to be human. Our disciplines of the visual and performing arts, humanities, and social sciences are located in 13 departments and 3 programs, and we offer 19 majors, 54 concentrations, and 35 minors.
GET TO KNOW THE BASICS
All-University Core Curriculum
AUCC is the All-University Core Curriculum, the foundation of a great liberal arts education.
Sometimes called your gen ed classes, through the AUCC, you pick the courses you want to take from a variety of subjects/categories. Taking classes in the AUCC is a great way to explore topics that interest you (while working on your credits toward graduation).
A sample of class titles from the AUCC include:
- Introduction to Visual Arts
- Reading Shakespeare
- Native American Cultural Experience
- The Holocaust in Literature and Film
- Moral and Social Problems
- History and Philosophy of Scientific Thought
- Communication and Popular Culture
- Soundscapes - Music as Human Practice
- Economics of Social Issues
- Asian Civilizations
- African American History
- Cultures and the Global System
- 20th Century Fiction
- Gender in the Economy
- Border Crossings: People/Politics/Culture
- Global Environmental Issues
Academic Success Coordinators
Your ASC is your gateway to academic success. The Academic Success Coordinators are professional staff members in each department who help undergraduate students chart their academic courses, meet requirements, and stay on track for graduation.
In addition to academic concerns, ASCs have the training and experience to assist students with their entire collegiate experience: from connecting students to important personal and professional resources on campus to informing students of activities and events related to the major.
Need extra help with mental, emotional, and other needs?
You@CSU is an online educational tool that connects students to campus resources and other tools to increase success in academics, career, physical and mental health, and purpose, community, social engagement.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships are available at the department, college, and university level.
Fill out the general CSU scholarship application between Dec. 1 and March 1. Follow the specific scholarship instructions (some require essays).
Visit the Office of Financial Aid for University scholarship specifics.
What about the Honors Program?
In addition to small seminar classes, personalized advising, priority enrollment, and leadership opportunities, Honors students can live in Honors specific learning communities and residence halls. If you're interested in Honors, you'll need to complete a separate Honors application.