Liberal Arts Core Curriculum Credits for the Fire Service Administration Bachelor's of Applied Science Degree
The course layout for credits from each discipline is fairly flexible for the BAS degree. It depends on whether the student has an AS or an AAS degree as to how many additional LAC credits are required. For an AAS student, the number is 22. These are to be selected by the student and his/her advisor to complement the 20 credits already taken as part of the AAS program. Since this 20 credits may vary considerably from student to student, the flexibility allows the advisor to fill in gaps in general studies areas where needed. The credits between the AAS and LAC need to total 42 Credits (20 +22). This may vary from college to college.
For the Fire Science BAS degree, we would want to work with local community colleges and will need to make sure that the requirements of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum are met, but would seek to closely mirror the following: (This is only an example of what the LAC could look like. The student and advisor will determine the actual number of credits in each area.)
Communications: (9 credits)
2 composition courses (6 credits) and 1 Public Speaking course (3 credits)
Mathematics: (3 credits)
1 suitable math course
Social Science: three courses (9 credits)
1 American Government course (3 credits)
AND
1 Introduction to Sociology or General Psychology course (3 credits)
AND
Local and Rural Politics (from SSU, meets both LAC requirement and Regional Studies graduation requirement) (3 credits)
Humanities and Fine Arts: (9 credits)
3 courses from Literature, Humanities, Philosophy, Art, Music, Theatre, or Dance.
(Try to get the Ethics course in as one of these.)
Science: (6 or 8 credits)
1 life-science course (preferred with lab) (3-4 credits)
1 physical science course (preferred with lab) (3-4 credits)
PLUS:
Additional credits to bring the total LAC credits to at least 42 credits. Good choices would be a course in History and an additional Humanities course. Two courses in a foreign language would also fit in the Humanities and Fine Arts section - but the student must have two in the same language. Just one doesn't count.
NOTE: There are graduation requirements at SSU in addition to the LAC and major requirements. One of these is a "Regional Studies" course. A second is 3 credits of Wellness and Human Performance (formerly Health and PE). A third is a Capstone course. The Regional Studies will be done with the LAC offerings and the Capstone course will be done in the Major. WHP can be taken at a community college if not already in the student's program.
After you have applied for the Bachelor's Degree, please call the SSU staff person on the contact list if you have any questions.
