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The BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts at St Mary’s is proving to be a degree programme of growing popularity. It started in September 2000 with ninety students, and the content owed much to a study visit to the USA two years previously by academic staff at the College. Visits to Merrimack College and St Anselm College in particular pointed the way to two distinctive elements at the time ie a Writing Centre and internships (translated into the term Work Related Learning).
Work Related Learning is now integral to the BA (Hons) Liberal Arts degree at St Mary’s. In year one it is somewhat theoretical with the students having a programme of lectures from a wide range of employers. In years two and three however this moves to practical experience and skills development in the world of work through placements. Such placements are a collaborative venture involving College tutor Joan Campbell, students and a host of businesses and other organisations. Work Related Learning placements are the platform for successful outcomes in many cases for the students as they transfer from higher education to further study or graduate employment. The BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts now has close to 300 enrolled students and there are plans to have a related full-time Masters degree.
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