Liberal Education Program requirements are a vital component of your UMD degree.
These courses will help prepare you to lead productive and socially responsible lives in the 21st century. The Liberal Education courses at UMD help students develop competencies that can be adapted for use in any occupation and by virtually any individual.
The Liberal Education Program at UMD is not restricted to any particular part of the curriculum but is woven through each student’s course of study, including general requirements and requirements for your major. UMD's goal is the development of broadly educated students who are “Prepared, Informed, and Committed.”
Total Credit Requirement for the Liberal Education Program
The Liberal Education Program requires completion of all 11 categories (minimum 31-40 credits). The LEP can be woven into your course of study and a single course can be used to satisfy multiple degree
requirements.
Part I. Language, Reasoning Skills and Theorizing Power (12 credits)
You will select one course from each category. Language, Reasoning Skills, and Theorizing Power courses may not double dip with any other LEP categories.
a. Logic and Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits)
b. Oral Communication and Languages (3 credits)
c. Theorizing Race, Power, and Justice (3 credits)
d. Writing and Information Literacy - WRIT 1120 (3 credits)
Part II. Knowledge Domains (19 credits)
You will select one course from each of two categories and two courses from each of the other two categories. Two courses taken in a category must be different subjects within the category. For example, two different subjects within the Natural Sciences category could be a Biology (BIOL) course and a Chemistry (CHEM) course. Knowledge Domain courses may also fulfill Key Topics requirements.
a. Fine Arts (3 credits minimum)
b. Humanities (3 credits minimum)
c. Natural Sciences (4 credits minimum, one lab course required)
d. Social Sciences (3 credits minimum)
Part III. Key Topics (9 credits)
You will select one course from each category. Key Topics courses may also fulfill Knowledge Domain requirements.
a. Cultural Diversity in the US (3 credits)
b. Global Perspectives (3 credits)
c. Sustainability (3 credits)
- An LE Core course that meets the criteria for part II (Knowledge Domains) and part III (Key Topics) may be used to fulfill both requirements. A course in the major that meets the criteria for parts Ib, Ic, II and/or III may be used to satisfy both major and LE Core requirements