The College of New Jersey Logo

Apply     Visit     Give     |     Alumni     Parents     Offices     TCNJ Today     Three Bar Menu

Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Please note: The Liberal Learning Program will be renamed The College Core, and some of its components will also be renamed.  Learn about these changes here.

Satisfying the College Core Breadth Requirement

The College Core Breadth Requirement provides knowledge in three broad sectors: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning.

Each of the three multidisciplinary perspectives is sub-divided into two disciplines as follows:

Arts and Humanities

  • Literary, Visual or Performing Arts – Discipline
  • Belief Systems – Discipline

Social Sciences and History

  • Behavioral, Social, or Cultural Perspectives – Discipline
  • Historical Perspectives – Discipline

Natural Science and Quantitative Reasoning

  • Natural Sciences – Discipline
  • Quantitative Reasoning – Discipline

A single course can satisfy only one discipline.

There are five ways whereby students can meet the College Core breadth requirement. Please consult with your major advisor as to which of these options are available to you.

1. Menu option

Students complete a total of eight courses: one course in each discipline and two additional courses from different broad sectors. First Year Seminar sections do not fulfill any of the six disciplines, and therefore, do not fulfill any breadth requirement. In satisfying their Natural Science requirement students must take at least one laboratory course. When two Natural Science courses are taken, they may be in one or two disciplines (unless otherwise specified by major requirements).

2. Interdisciplinary Concentrations

Interdisciplinary Concentrations are interconnected sets of at least 6 courses built around a theme or issue. Interdisciplinary Concentrations will appear on your TCNJ transcript, so it is easy to demonstrate to employers or graduate/professional schools that you have skills and knowledge in the area represented by the concentrations.

Here are some reasons why you might want to consider an Interdisciplinary Concentration:

    • You are interested in one of the themes of the concentrations, but you don’t want to major in that area.
    • You want to acquire skills and knowledge that support your major or career.
    • You want to explore a new area.
    • You like to make connections between different subjects.
    • If your major doesn’t leave you enough room for a minor, an Interdisciplinary Concentrations can function as a minor.
    • If your major does leave you room for a minor, an Interdisciplinary Concentrations can function as a second minor.

To find out what concentrations are available and how to enroll in one, visit the webpage on Interdisciplinary Concentrations.

3. Dual major

Students majoring in education are dual majors, meaning that they complete two majors together. Students must complete at least two courses from each broad sector and one course each in quantitative reasoning and natural science with laboratory. When two additional courses beyond those included in the two parts of the dual major are required from the same sector, students must select courses with different prefixes. Similarly, if a student needs only one additional course from a sector, its prefix must be different from the other course.

Some education majors must take specific College Core courses that are required by state licensure requirements. Please consult your major advisor for guidance on your College Core requirements.

4. Double major 

A double major has a first major and an optional second major. Students must complete at least two courses from each broad sector and one course each in quantitative reasoning and natural science with laboratory. When two additional courses beyond those included in the two majors are required from the same sector, students must select courses with different prefixes. Similarly, if a student needs only one additional course from a sector, its prefix must be different from the other course.

5. Self-designed major or interdisciplinary concentration

Students can to create their own second majors or interdisciplinary concentrations. Students must complete at least two courses from each broad sector and one course each in quantitative reasoning and natural science with laboratory. When two additional courses beyond those included in the two majors are required from the same sector, students must select courses with different prefixes. Similarly, if a student needs only one additional course from a sector, its prefix must be different from the other course.

To enroll in a self-designed major, a student must secure the sponsorship of at least two faculty members who teach in disciplines included in the proposed concentration. The student must then submit a formal proposal and plan of studies to Dr. Richard Kamber at rkamber@tcnj.edu, who will meet with the student to work out the details of the proposal.

Please note: The Liberal Learning Program has been renamed The College Core, and some of its components have also been renamed. Learn More
+