Liberal Education Overview

Liberal Education Policy and Procedures: The current Liberal Education Program framework was initially approved in 2009 and became effective in fall 2012. The framework was later modified to include the Theorizing Race, Power, and Justice category, which became effective in fall 2023. 

For a UMD course to be considered for any Lib Ed category, a faculty member completes the respective category form for the course for review/approval at the department and college levels prior to review by the Liberal Education Subcommittee. The Subcommittee makes a recommendation to inform the campus decision.

Liberal Education Subcommittee: As the committee charged with overseeing the Liberal Education Program, the Subcommittee strives toward continuous improvement of liberal education at UMD. The Subcommittee oversees the course submission process for courses to become part of the Liberal Education Program; reviews, accepts or rejects courses proposed for inclusion in the categories; monitors the program; and makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate. Subcommittee members are shown on the Liberal Education Course Proposal and Review Procedures webpage.

Liberal Education Essays: In 2019 the UMD Faculty Senate commissioned a volume of short "Think Piece" essays written by faculty on the role of a liberal education or liberal arts for undergraduate students. Compiled and edited by Drs. Jennifer Brady and Kristen Hylenski (Department of World Languages and Culture), the volume was published on the University Digital Conservancy Home: Think Pieces on UMD's Liberal Education Program and the Value of the Liberal Arts.