College of Liberal Arts

www.usi.edu/liberal-arts

James M. Beeby, Ph.D., Dean

Joan deJong, M.F.A., Assistant Dean

Michael Dixon, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Rob Millard-Mendez, Chair, Art and Design department

Paul Raymond, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Communications department

Todd J. Schroer, Ph.D., Chair, Criminal Justice department

Stephen G. Spencer, Ph.D., Chair, English department

Jason D. Hardgrave, Ph.D., Chair, History department

David Hitchcock, Ph.D., Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies

Elliot H. Wasserman, M.F.A., Chair, Performing Arts department

Rocco J. Gennaro, Ph.D., Chair, Philosophy department

Oana Armeanu, Ph.D., Chair, Political Science and Public Administration department

Amie McKibban, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Psychology department

Iris Phillips, Ph.D., Chair, Social Work department

Vaughn DeCoster, Ph.D., Chair, Sociology department

Silvia A. Rode, Ph.D., Chair, World Languages and Cultures department

The College of Liberal Arts offers students the opportunities, first, to develop the fundamentals of a liberal education upon which to base a lifetime of learning and, second, to concentrate in studies that form the foundation for professional pursuits.

The College includes the departments of Art; Communications; Criminal Justice; English; History; World Languages and Cultures; Performing Arts; Philosophy; Political Science and Public Administration; Psychology; Social Work; Sociology; and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Through these departments and this center, the College offers more than 30 majors and emphases and a similar number of minors. Students interested in teaching careers may seek secondary education licensing in Art, Journalism, Theatre, English, French, German, Spanish, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Economics.

The Liberal Arts and a Liberal Education

A liberal education, in the words of Martha Nussbaum, is the “cultivation of the whole human being for the functions of citizenry and life.” At USI this cultivation is the goal of Core 39, many of the courses for which are offered in Liberal Arts. Complete details of the core are available at www.usi.edu/core39. Students should consult with their advisors in developing a specific plan for completing these requirements. Students seeking a major or minor in Liberal Arts must have a 2.0 GPA or better in their major or minor coursework, unless otherwise stated. 

Teacher Licensure

Many students majoring in disciplines in the College of Liberal Arts prepare themselves to teach in secondary schools (high schools, junior high schools, or middle schools). Admission to Teacher Education is a process that confirms a teacher candidate’s intent to pursue teacher licensure at the University of Southern Indiana in an education major or minor program. Access to designated advanced education courses are restricted to teacher candidates who have been formally admitted to teacher education.

The following requirements must be met for admission to Teacher Education

A teacher candidate must:

• Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher
• Earn a major and minor grade point average of 2.75 of higher
• Earn a C or better in all courses leading to the degree
• Achieve a score of 220 on each section of the Core Academic Skills Assessment (CASA). The CASA requirement may be waived if the teacher candidate has a SAT combined score of 1100 or higher (Critical Reading and Mathematics) OR ACT composite score of 24 or higher OR a masters degree from a regionally accredited institution. 
• Receive the recommendation of his/her major department (this may include an interview)
• Receive an acceptable criminal background check
• Complete required education coursework
• Submit an application using the TK20 system

The student must successfully complete other courses and meet GPA requirements as established for the major. As part of the application process, the student may be interviewed by both the major and minor departments. A student should ask his or her advisor for information on arranging the interview.

The structure of the interview may vary according to department, but in general, it will be conducted by a committee consisting of two to three faculty members from the major field(s). This committee may interview the student according to the procedures established in the department, review his or her record, and decide on a recommendation.

The committee may decide as follows: (1) to recommend the student unconditionally for admission to the teacher education program; (2) to reject the student’s application. The chair of the committee will record the committee’s decision on the student’s application form and return the form to the student. A copy of the committee’s decision will be placed in the student’s advising folder. The committee will approve applications to Teacher Education through Tk20.

Among factors the committee will consider in making its decision are the student’s academic record, performance in classes, course work completed, ability to organize and present material orally, and general promise. In particular, University regulations require that a student admitted unconditionally to the teacher education program must carry a grade point average of at least 2.75 in his/her major, any supporting area or minor, and overall. A student may appeal the decision of the interview committee to the Dean of Liberal Arts.