Liberal Studies
Overview
Are you interested in completing a university degree? The Liberal Studies program is a great opportunity to discover what you love before you invest in university.
This program is a true pathway program. Liberal Studies is designed for those who wish to pursue a university education or degree completion. Following completion of the program, and provided that all requirements are met, students will have the opportunity to apply for entry into a university degree.
This program is rooted in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines. An emphasis on developing university-level skills in critical thinking, communication, research, literacy and numeracy prepares students for professional environments which impact society, business and technology.
Graduates of the Liberal Studies program can transfer credits toward degrees at several Ontario universities, including Algoma, Lakehead, Laurentian, Western, Windsor, and York.
Who should take this program?
This program is ideally suited for students who:
- Aspire to attend university but first want to strengthen their academic foundation
- Prefer smaller class sizes and more accessible professors to build confidence and achieve academic success
- Live in Lambton County and are looking to save money by staying local while earning transferable university credits
- Have an interest in the Social Sciences and want to explore cutting-edge issues from AI and sustainability to digital media and mental health
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
New Indigenous Studies Pathway
In response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, Lambton College is excited to share a new program that will address the university attainment gap for Indigenous Students while also providing an opportunity for non-Indigenous students to be better equipped to understand varied perspectives as daily life and mainstream employment intersect with Indigenous people. Students have the option to enrol in the Liberal Studies - Indigenous Studies to focus in an Indigenous stream.
All students at Lambton College will have access to a variety of Indigenous-focused electives. Having access to foundational knowledge on Indigenous history and pedagogues is critical to advancing Truth & Reconciliation.
Costs
- Year 1 $4,156.71
- Year 2 $4,066.68
Please Note: These fees apply to the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
As Canadians move to recognize, rebuild, and construct a more equitable and sustainable future, ANT 1003 reminds us of our global and also personal interconnection to the world at large through the lens of human bio-cultural evolution, genetic inheritance, social and cultural innovation. Biodiversity, global responsibility and engaged interdependence are core themes running throughout ANT 100's learning outcomes and applied learning assignments (ALA). Each of the five units includes opportunities to apply learning through small group dialogue, gamification, and personal reflection with the goal of building greater self-awareness as part of a wider interdependent community.
Critical Thinking & Writing
This writing course challenges students to explore diverse opinions and articulate their own perspectives clearly and persuasively. Through critical reading, students will develop skills in synthesis, analysis, comparison, and response, striving for clarity and diplomatic expression of their opinions based on factual evidence. Students will practice various rhetorical strategies of persuasion and hone their writing to ensure precision and accuracy in their messages. This course lays the foundation for a subsequent research-writing course, equipping students with essential skills for academic success.
Sociology I
Focusing on the Canadian perspective SOC 1003 explores the intersectional influences on behavior within the context of human group life. The sociological perspective, data collection, socialization, crime, and the dynamics of group structure and stratification are critically assessed against the backdrop of global interdependence and socio-cultural change. Small group discussion and gamification of materials all offer an enhanced course experience for individual growth and understanding of sociology.
Psychology I
This course provides a foundational overview of psychology, exploring the biological and cognitive processes that underlie human behaviour and experience. Students are required to purchase the assigned textbook to be successful in the course.
Workplace Communication Applications and Analysis
In today's management and administration workplace, having strong computer skills is essential. This course provides students with resources and guidance to develop skills in Microsoft Office applications, focusing on three key areas: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While learning about these programs, students develop skills in time management, accountability, and their ability to follow direction.
Personal Wellness
This course introduces students to key aspects of personal health and wellness, including nutrition, fitness, stress management, and digital well-being. Through practical application and self-assessment, students will use current health guidelines, such as Canada's Food Guide, to develop personalized goals and healthy habits. The course also explores how media, technology, and social environments influence health choices and overall well-being.
General Education Elective
General Mathematics I
This general course in mathematics reviews and enhances topics in arithmetic, algebra, linear graphs, measurement, and statistics. A problem solving approach is used throughout the course, and there are many practical applications.
Communications for Community Services
This course enhances students' research and communication skills in preparation for work in community services. Through the theme of "advocacy and education," students gather, analyze, and respond to recent and relevant research in their field, creating research reports and research presentations to share with their peers. The research process provides students with the opportunity to develop their writing skills through critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation. These skills are necessary for success in current and future college courses, the workplace, and students' personal lives.
Psychology II
This course introduces students to key areas of psychology related to lifespan development, personality, motivation and emotion, social influence, as well as psychological disorders and treatments. Students will gain a broad understanding of how these factors influence human behaviour and mental processes. Students are required to purchase the assigned textbook to be successful in the course.
Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
This interdisciplinary course combines insights from the field of business with social psychology and applied ethics to challenge students with an introspective look at some of today's most important ethical dilemmas. Students in PHL-1253 learn that the ethical standards employed by businesses and corporations ultimately concern the quality of human behaviours in those organizations. Human behaviour evolves from many influences: our past relationships, the ways we think and feel, how we respond to pressures in various social contexts, and how we deliberate in our daily thoughts and actions. Each of these influences is intimately involved with the quality of our ethical decision making.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
This course introduces the core concepts of Artificial Intelligence, its related fields, and its applications. It covers the principles and fundamentals of AI, including its history and current trends. Students will explore the role of AI in various industries, particularly within Canadian business contexts, to understand how AI-powered solutions are applied to real-world problems. The course examines the relationship between AI and big data, highlighting how large data sets drive AI advancements and insights. Additionally, the course analyzes the role of intelligent agents in AI, explaining their functions and behaviors. A significant component of the course is dedicated to exploring various AI learning methods, including supervised and unsupervised learning, classification, regression, clustering, dimensionality reduction, and deep learning. Students will also examine artificial neural networks, focusing on their components, strengths, limitations, and applications. Lastly, the course delves into the Internet of Things (IoT) and its connection to AI, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies integrate. The laboratory portion offers hands-on practice, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-life AI challenges.
General Education Elective
Introduction to Community Mental Health
Effective practitioners begin their work with an understanding of how individuals think, feel, and behave. Included in this knowledge must be the contextual factors that impact wellness, including the following: personal challenges, relationships, environmental stressors, and diversity needs. The goal of this course is to provide future front-line workers with practical examples of how a mental health concern might develop and how they might respond. Examination of the biological and sociocultural determinants of addictions and mental illness, treatment options, and community resources that can be leveraged to enhance wellbeing are the key components of this course. Students will not only apply theory and diagnostic criteria to a presenting problem, but they will also become responsive to the grey areas that are unique to a person's situation.
Organizational Behaviour
This subject is an examination of the contemporary Canadian business environment including the organization, leadership and management decision process which influences the behaviour of individuals and groups. Increased global competition, technological change and the rising expectations of both employees and employers have underlined the need for improved and more effective leadership. This subject provides a better understanding of this process.
Digital Media and Analytics for Business
This course provides students with a practical and strategic introduction to digital media and analytics in a business context. Students will explore how organizations use digital platforms, including social media, websites, search engines, and email, to build brand visibility, engage audiences, and drive business outcomes. The course emphasizes a data-informed approach, teaching students how to use analytics tools to measure performance, optimize campaigns, and make marketing decisions. Through hands-on learning, students will analyze real-world data, develop digital strategies, and present insights that align with business objectives. Ethical considerations, platform-specific strategies, and customer-centric metrics are integrated throughout. By the end of the course, students will be able to create a basic digital marketing plan supported by analytics and aligned with organizational goals.
Elective - Select 2
General Education Elective
Who Runs Canada? Government Rights and Regulations
Canadian Politics and Government are introduced. Students identify the terms and concepts utilized in the discipline of political science, identifying key geographic and demographic factors; identify the major components of Canada's constitution; outline the evolution of Canadian federalism; identify the functions of political parties and the party system; and identify in detail the election process, outlining the distinctive characteristics of Canada's major parties and the Canadian party system.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Empowering a variety of ideas, perspectives and talents are paramount in the continued evolution of a more inclusive Canada. It is essential for individuals, communities, businesses, industries and government to advocate for inclusion and to reduce barriers for the greater good of our society. As we live and work in an increasingly global world, this overview course is designed to provide learners with the tools to develop cultural competencies and inclusive practices so that they can recognize the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (EDI) as in integral part of a more socially inclusive Canada. Through activities and self-reflection, learners may explore a variety of relevant topics including intercultural awareness, gender identity, sexual orientation, unconscious bias, ageism, disabilities, mental health and indigenous ways of knowing.
Introduction to Biology
This course is designed to introduce the student to basic human anatomy and physiology through the study of organ systems including the following: nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and urinary. General organization of the body, cells, tissues, and organs will also be considered.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
This course introduces students, through a Canadian lens, to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The ability to think like an entrepreneur and act like an innovator are critical skills for success across industries and are proven tools to help distinguish individuals in the workplace. Whether applied in a start-up company, or as an employee within an existing organization (intrapreneurship), learners develop knowledge on how to navigate barriers to creating, developing, and sustaining innovative new initiatives. Topics related to the development of resilience, focus, productivity, creativity, and success are introduced to support learners in building their own entrepreneurial capacity.
Elective - Select 2
Contact
School of Business and Sustainability Leadership
Room B2-106
Program Information
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Our graduates use the Liberal Studies program to transfer to university or college diploma programs. Some graduates opt to enter direct employment. Past data has shown that Liberal Studies graduates are prepared for employment in a number of various sectors, such as the technology field, community agencies, administration, marketing, education and social services.
Pathways
Transfer to Programs within Ontario
Want to see more Ontario transfers? Visit ONTransfer.ca.
Lambton to Huron University College
Students graduating from this program will be considered for Year 2 of the Social Sciences program at Huron University College.
More Information
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.