The largest of Towson’s colleges, the College of Liberal Arts includes the disciplines commonly identified with the Humanities and the Social Sciences as well as a robust array of interdisciplinary programs. Because it contains many of the foundational disciplines of higher education, the College also contributes heavily to the Core Curriculum offerings of the university. 

Departments and programs in the College of Liberal Arts are committed to developing in students the essential attributes of a liberal education: the ability to develop questions, to evaluate evidence, to think critically, to represent ideas fairly, to weigh competing claims, to reach sound judgments, to construct arguments, and to express ideas clearly and effectively.  Students encounter the challenges of working with others and the reality of differences between cultures—locally, nationally, and globally—and they build an appreciation for the complexities of human expression and social interaction.

The College of Liberal Arts maintains classes of limited size to enhance student-faculty interaction, and it promotes a variety of opportunities for undergraduates in research, internships, service learning, study abroad, and creative expression. Whether studying the technical or the poetic, the legal or the historical, the clinical or the cultural, students in the College of Liberal Arts will enhance their capacities for both personal and professional success. Graduates may move toward immediate employment in teaching, planning, publishing, counseling, business, or public service, or they may pursue graduate programs in a variety of disciplines and in professions such as law.  

Mission Statement  

The College of Liberal Arts provides a foundation for the intellectual and cultural life of the University through its contributions to a liberal arts education for all students. Emphasizing excellence in teaching and learning, the College offers challenging curricula in diverse majors, disciplines, and interdisciplinary programs. CLA strives to impart a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking; to promote integrity and tolerance; and to encourage students and faculty to be engaged and informed citizens. CLA is committed to improving our communities, our societies and the world.