College of Liberal Arts

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The College of Liberal Arts was established in July of 2004 by merging all of the programs of the former College of Arts and Letters and parts of the former College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The new college unites under one administrative unit a number of programs whose faculty and students had worked together across colleges before. There are five departments, with a number of degree programs in each.

The Department of Art and Theatre includes majors in Art, Art Education, and Drama. Each of those degrees offer options reflecting particular interests within the major. The Department of Cherokee and Indigenous Studies includes majors in American Indian Studies, Cherokee Cultural Studies, and Cherokee Education.  The Department of Communication and Media Studies offers majors in Communication Studies and Media Studies. The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies includes majors in Criminal Justice, Cyber Security, Homeland Security and Legal Studies.  The Department of Geography, Political Science and Sociology includes majors in Geography, Political Science, and Sociology. The Department of History includes majors in History and Social Studies Education. The Department of Languages and Literature includes Bachelor of Arts degrees and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees in both English and Spanish. Coursework is presented in other languages, including German, French, Russian, Latin, Greek, Chinese and Japanese, although a student cannot major in these languages. The Department of Music includes majors in Music and Music Education. The Department of Social Work houses the Social Work program. The College is home to the ROTC program, offering courses which can lead to commission as an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, and also home to the General Studies program.

The College includes four graduate degrees. These are American Studies, Criminal Justice, Communication and English. These degrees are described in more detail in the graduate catalog.

The College seeks to create an educational environment which contributes to professional and intellectual growth and development. We also serve the community through programs presented by our students and faculty which express their artistic and scholarly talents.

Model United Nations is a national group created to provide practical experience in the affairs of world governments, international organizations, and international relations. Students have the opportunity to participate in simulated U.N. meetings at regional and national conferences.

The Living Literature Center, established in 1985, provides literary tours, conferences, enrichment experiences and research opportunities. Programming includes: a weekend seminar on the occult in literature and a two-week humanities tour to England, France, and Italy.

Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature provides an opportunity for hands-on participation by students in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in mock session. Each semester NSU’s delegation travels to Oklahoma City to the actual chambers of state government.

NSU Band Program consists of several groups and provides music for many events on campus and in the community.  The RiverHawk Marching Band performs at all home football games, and the Basketball Pep Band plays at all home men’s and women’s basketball games.  The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band offer formal concert performances throughout the year. 

The NSU Vocal Program consists of the University/Community Chorus, a town/gown ensemble open to students and community members without audition and the University Singers, a small auditioned ensemble.  Both ensembles offer formal concert performances throughout the year.

The Jazz Program is housed just off campus in the Jazz Lab, a remarkable facility designed as a music venue. The program offers a full season of performances by student groups and internationally known jazz artists.

The Sequoyah Institute provides a series of major performing arts events each year.

The Collegiate Officer Program (COP) requires that you take certain academic and special skills courses as components of your baccalaureate degree.  Upon completion of the required curricula and special skills courses, and obtaining a job with an Oklahoma law enforcement agency, you qualify to sit for the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training Exam.  All full time police officers in the state of Oklahoma must pass this exam.  This program provides students with a competitive advantage in securing law enforcement positions because it combines the academic degree with the certification process.  For information on this program, contact the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department at (918) 444-3538.

Internships are available and sometimes required for students in many of the majors in the College. Students work for law enforcement agencies, human service providers, advertising firms and many businesses as an application of their classroom knowledge.

A student may earn a minor by completing 18 hours in one of the following fields of study.

NOTE: Some minor fields are structured. Refer to program section for specific requirements.

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