College of Liberal Arts

206 Minné Hall (507.457.5017)
College of Liberal Arts
Ralph Townsend, Dean
Peter Miene, Interim Associate Dean

Mission

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts is to offer degree programs in the arts, humanities and social sciences, as well as specialized professional and occupational areas. The college also seeks to provide a comprehensive base of liberal studies as the foundation of all degrees.

These two facets of the mission translate into two major responsibilities for faculty members: 1) Providing a broad array of quality programs in the liberal arts and related professional fields; 2) Providing the majority of the General Education curriculum to all WSU students.

The specific missions for the College of Liberal Arts are as follows:

Develop a depth of knowledge in a primary discipline.
Develop breadth through knowledge and appreciation of the arts, humanities, and social sciences beyond one’s primary discipline.
Provide an intellectual, social and cultural atmosphere for the development of self-education and lifelong learning.
Make individuals aware of the rights and responsibilities they have to themselves and to society.
Prepare individuals to meet the career challenges of a rapidly changing society.
Contribute to the development of basic and applied knowledge in the fields of the liberal arts.

Career Opportunities

The opportunities for career education within the College of Liberal Arts are many and varied. Important in career planning is the fact that a liberal arts education provides the student with career skills that are useful in many professions such as business, law, and medicine. These skills have general applicability and they will provide considerable vocational choice and career flexibility.

Faculty

Over ninety percent of the liberal arts faculty have terminal degrees in their fields from prominent universities. Many are widely known for their scholarly and creative efforts as well as for their excellence as teachers.

Facilities

The majority of the liberal arts faculty offices and facilities are located in Minné Hall and in the Performing Arts Center. The Art Department is located in Watkins Hall, the Mass Communication Department and the Psychology Department are in Phelps Hall. The Dance studio is located in Memorial Hall.