Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

About

The Liberal Arts major at Peru State builds on the broad General Studies foundation at the college or on a similar foundation in the previous experience of transfer students. The major is dedicated to developing intellectually well-rounded individuals who wish to attain a broad-based undergraduate education. It allows flexibility in selecting concentration fields, facilitating the exploration of multiple areas of interest. Candidates for the Liberal Arts major must fulfil all requirements for the BA degree.

Peru State’s History

Peru State’s “Campus of a Thousand Oaks,” a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, is nestled in the hills of historic southeast Nebraska on the Missouri River. The College offers a mix of innovative online and traditional classroom undergraduate and graduate programs, including online graduate degrees in education and organizational management. Nebraska’s first college, established in 1867 as a teacher training school with one building and 60 students, has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs to around 2,400 students. Peru State has long been a wellspring of leadership, an invaluable resource for communities and businesses, and a source of accomplished graduates known for their excellent education and professional competence. The College has enjoyed considerable support from the State of Nebraska, with more than $50 million of campus renovation projects funded over the last decade. While we serve students around the globe, Peru State retains a special commitment to serve the residents and needs of the southeast Nebraska community through education, research, and public service programs.

Mission

In educating the individual to the benefit of society, Peru State cultivates the capacity and propensity for life-long learning by fostering independent inquiry and promoting the value of knowledge and discovery. Through innovative undergraduate and graduate programs, Nebraska’s first college continues its commitment to making a vital contribution to the future of the region and the state. Vision Peru State will be a college of choice fostering excellence and student achievement through engagement in a culture that promotes inquiry, discovery, and innovation.

Values

Educational engagement is an active approach to teaching and learning that considers the diversity of students and creates a culture of ownership, inclusion, and leadership. It empowers all students and employees to connect personally with the educational experience, others, and society by creating opportunities for direct involvement in learning. Engaged educators and learners seek to understand and respect multiple perspectives in the search for solutions to problems through inquiry and research. This process facilitates the discovery of new ideas and better practices. These discoveries, along with continuous reflection and a commitment to service, foster a culture of innovation resulting in a progressive change that benefits society.

Goals

Peru State seeks to instill in our students:

• effective communications skills;
• computer and information literacy;
• independent critical thought and intellectual capacity for change;
• preparation to assume social and civic leadership roles;
• the ability to pursue intellectually, ethically, aesthetically and physically rewarding lives.

Memberships and Accreditation

Peru State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The College has been accredited by the organization since 1915. In 2012, Peru State received continuing accreditation for the next 10 years from the Higher Learning Commission. The College received the best possible evaluation result, with no follow-up visits or other reporting required, placing it in an elite group of institutions in the region. Peru State has continuing accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Full membership is maintained in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the American Council on Education. The College is also a charter member of the Nebraska Council on Teacher Education. Peru State is a member institution of the Nebraska State College System.